Introduction

A Psalm of David drawing contrasts between the righteous and the wicked. The Psalm is acrostic with sets of lines all starting with consecutive letters of the Hebrew alphabet.

Verses
1Don’t fret because of evildoers,
neither be envious against those who work unrighteousness.
2For they shall soon be cut down like the grass,
and wither like the green herb.
3Trust in the LORD, and do good.
Dwell in the land, and enjoy safe pasture.
4Also delight yourself in the LORD,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.
5Commit your way to the LORD.
Trust also in him, and he will do this:
6he will make your righteousness shine out like light,
and your justice as the noon day sun.
7Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him.
Don’t fret because of him who prospers in his way,
because of the man who makes wicked plots happen.
8Cease from anger, and forsake wrath.
Don’t fret; it leads only to evildoing.
9For evildoers shall be cut off,
but those who wait for the LORD shall inherit the land.
10For yet a little while, and the wicked will be no more.
Yes, though you look for his place, he isn’t there.
11But the humble shall inherit the land,
and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.
12The wicked plots against the just,
and gnashes at him with his teeth.
13The Lord will laugh at him,
for he sees that his day is coming.
14The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow,
to cast down the poor and needy,
to kill those who are upright on the path.
15Their sword shall enter into their own heart.
Their bows shall be broken.
16Better is a little that the righteous has,
than the abundance of many wicked.
17For the arms of the wicked shall be broken,
but the LORD upholds the righteous.
18The LORD knows the days of the perfect.
Their inheritance shall be forever.
19They shall not be disappointed in the time of evil.
In the days of famine they shall be satisfied.
 
20But the wicked shall perish.
The enemies of the LORD shall be like the beauty of the fields.
They will vanish—
vanish like smoke.
21The wicked borrow, and don’t pay back,
but the righteous give generously.
22For such as are blessed by him shall inherit the land.
Those who are cursed by him shall be cut off.
23A man’s steps are established by the LORD.
He delights in his way.
24Though he stumble, he shall not fall,
for the LORD holds him up with his hand.
25I have been young, and now am old,
yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken,
nor his children begging for bread.
26All day long he deals graciously, and lends.
His offspring is blessed.
27Depart from evil, and do good.
Live securely forever.
28For the LORD loves justice,
and doesn’t forsake his saints.
They are preserved forever,
but the children of the wicked shall be cut off.
29The righteous shall inherit the land,
and live in it forever.
 
30The mouth of the righteous talks of wisdom.
His tongue speaks justice.
31The law of his God is in his heart.
None of his steps shall slide.
32The wicked watch the righteous,
and seek to kill him.
33The LORD will not leave him in his hand,
nor condemn him when he is judged.
34Wait for the LORD, and keep his way,
and he will exalt you to inherit the land.
When the wicked are cut off, you shall see it.
 
35I have seen the wicked in great power,
spreading himself like a green tree in its native soil.
36But he passed away, and behold, he was not.
Yes, I sought him, but he could not be found.
37Mark the perfect man, and see the upright,
for there is a future for the man of peace.
38As for transgressors, they shall be destroyed together.
The future of the wicked shall be cut off.
39But the salvation of the righteous is from the LORD.
He is their stronghold in the time of trouble.
40The LORD helps them and rescues them.
He rescues them from the wicked and saves them,
because they have taken refuge in him.

Questions

1. Why shouldn't we be envious of those who work unrighteousness?

v 1 and 2 ... neither be envious against those who work unrighteousness. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass,
and wither like the green herb.

2. What do anger and wrath lead to?

v 8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath.
Don’t fret; it leads only to evildoing.

3. What does David say about the wicked who have great power?

v 35 and 36 I have seen the wicked in great power,
spreading himself like a green tree in its native soil.
But he passed away, and behold, he was not.
Yes, I sought him, but he could not be found.

Summary Points

  • v 1 to 9  David gives advice on godly living. Instructions to trust, delight and commit are all followed by reassurance that God is with those who live like this
  • v 10 to 22 Those who are blessed by God are contrasted with those who are wicked
  • v 23 to 29 God will look after the righteous and keep them in the land
  • v 30 to 40 God will protect his people from the wicked who will be cut off

 Timeline 1050 BC

The audio version uses Yahweh instead of LORD. This reflects the original Hebrew language.

Audio