The big picture
Psalms 37 opens in verse 1 with “Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of…”, reaches its middle movement near verse 20 with “But the wicked shall perish, and the enemies of the LORD shall be as the fat of lambs…”, and closes in verse 40 with “And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked…” Repeated or prominent terms include LORD, wicked, righteous, inherit, thyself. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.
Scripture beside the summary
Psalms · King James Version · 40Psalms 37:1-8
1–8: Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against…
Psalms 37:1–8 opens with “Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.” and reaches “Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Psalms 37 develops its own movement around LORD, wicked, righteous, inherit, thyself, with particular weight carried by LORD, thyself, fret.
Context that brings the passage to life
“Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.” Naming Fret keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
“Trust in the LORD , and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.” Naming Trust keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
Psalms 37:1-8
King James Version1Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.
2For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.
3Trust in the LORD , and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.
4Delight thyself also in the LORD ; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
5Commit thy way unto the LORD ; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
6And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.
7Rest in the LORD , and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.
8Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.
Psalms 37:9-16
9–16: For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD , they…
Psalms 37:9–16 opens with “For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD , they shall inherit the…” and reaches “A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Psalms 37 develops its own movement around LORD, wicked, righteous, inherit, thyself, with particular weight carried by wicked, earth, inherit.
Context that brings the passage to life
“For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD , they shall inherit the earth.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.
“But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.” The promise, blessing, or covenant language needs its named recipient and scope. Those details prevent a personal word in the story from becoming a promise detached from context.
Psalms 37:9-16
King James Version9For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD , they shall inherit the earth.
10For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be.
11But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.
12The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth.
13The Lord shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming.
14The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, and to slay such as be of upright conversation.
15Their sword shall enter into their own heart, and their bows shall be broken.
16A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked.
Psalms 37:17-24
17–24: For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the LORD upholdeth the…
Psalms 37:17–24 opens with “For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the LORD upholdeth the righteous.” and reaches “Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Psalms 37 develops its own movement around LORD, wicked, righteous, inherit, thyself, with particular weight carried by LORD, wicked, consume.
Context that brings the passage to life
“For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the LORD upholdeth the righteous.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.
“They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
Psalms 37:17-24
King James Version17For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the LORD upholdeth the righteous.
18The LORD knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be for ever.
19They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.
20But the wicked shall perish, and the enemies of the LORD shall be as the fat of lambs: they shall consume; into smoke shall they consume away.
21The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth.
22For such as be blessed of him shall inherit the earth; and they that be cursed of him shall be cut off.
23The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD : and he delighteth in his way.
24Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.
Psalms 37:25-32
25–32: I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous…
Psalms 37:25–32 opens with “I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed…” and reaches “The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Psalms 37 develops its own movement around LORD, wicked, righteous, inherit, thyself, with particular weight carried by righteous, seed, dwell.
Context that brings the passage to life
“I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.” The line’s distinctive content terms include begging, bread, forsaken. Its relationship to verses 26 shows what work it does in this passage.
Psalms 37:25-32
King James Version25I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.
26He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed.
27Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore.
28For the LORD loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.
29The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever.
30The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment.
31The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide.
32The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him.
Psalms 37:33-40
33–40: The LORD will not leave him in his hand, nor condemn him when he is…
Psalms 37:33–40 opens with “The LORD will not leave him in his hand, nor condemn him when he is judged.” and reaches “And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Psalms 37 develops its own movement around LORD, wicked, righteous, inherit, thyself, with particular weight carried by LORD, wicked, deliver.
Context that brings the passage to life
“The LORD will not leave him in his hand, nor condemn him when he is judged.” The line’s distinctive content terms include condemn, hand, judged. Its relationship to verses 34 shows what work it does in this passage.
“I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree.” The line’s distinctive content terms include green, power, seen. Its relationship to verses 34 and 36 shows what work it does in this passage.
Psalms 37:33-40
King James Version33The LORD will not leave him in his hand, nor condemn him when he is judged.
34Wait on the LORD , and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.
35I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree.
36Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found.
37Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace.
38But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off.
39But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD : he is their strength in the time of trouble.
40And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him.
Details worth noticing
The opening image
Psalms 37:1 begins with “Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.”
Where the chapter turns
Psalms 37:20 forms a natural hinge: “But the wicked shall perish, and the enemies of the LORD shall be as the fat of lambs: they shall consume; into smoke shall they consume away.”
The final note
Psalms 37:40 leaves the reader with “And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him.”
A word trail through the chapter
The words LORD, wicked, righteous, inherit, thyself, dwell help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
What part does favoritism play before the crisis?
The special garment and unequal affection make the division in the family visible.
How does the deception echo chapter 27?
A garment and a goat help deceive a father through misleading physical evidence.
KJV words made clear
- behold
- look, or pay close attention
- unto
- to
- thee
- you
- thou
- you
- thy
- your
Text first
Where readers differ
The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.
The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.
Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.