Psalm 37 1

Psalm 37:1 kjv

Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.

Psalm 37:1 nkjv

A Psalm of David. Do not fret because of evildoers, Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity.

Psalm 37:1 niv

Of David. Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong;

Psalm 37:1 esv

Fret not yourself because of evildoers; be not envious of wrongdoers!

Psalm 37:1 nlt

Don't worry about the wicked
or envy those who do wrong.

Psalm 37 verses

Psalm 37 1 Meaning

Psalm 37:1 provides a vital exhortation against two detrimental reactions to the apparent prosperity of the wicked: fretfulness and envy. It urges the righteous not to become agitated or distressed by the temporary success and unhindered activities of those who disregard God's law. Furthermore, it warns against allowing bitterness or covetousness to arise when witnessing the seeming ease or power of individuals dedicated to immoral deeds. The verse sets the stage for the entire psalm, which elaborates on the transient nature of wickedness and the enduring blessings of those who trust in and follow the Lord.

Psalm 37 1 Context

Psalm 37 is a wisdom psalm, likely attributed to David in his old age (Ps 37:25), offering practical instruction and encouragement to the faithful in Israel. It confronts a perennial human dilemma: why do the wicked often prosper while the righteous suffer or struggle? This concern was significant in ancient Israelite society, where divine justice was expected to be manifest in immediate temporal rewards and punishments. The psalm functions as a didactic poem, structured alphabetically (an acrostic, though imperfectly so in modern versions), designed to counter the common human tendency to be dismayed or jealous when seeing evildoers seemingly succeed. It encourages patience, trust in God's sovereign timing, and assurance in His ultimate justice. The advice given here stands in stark contrast to prevailing notions that outward prosperity always indicates divine favor or that immediate action is necessary to correct perceived injustice. Instead, it urges a quiet trust and persistent righteousness.

Psalm 37 1 Word analysis

• "Fret not thyself":
  • Hebrew: אַל-תִּתְחַר (’al-tithchar), from the root חָרָה (charah).
  • Meaning: "to be hot," "to burn," "to be incensed," "to be vexed," "to be agitated," "to be kindled with anger."
  • Significance: This command speaks to an internal emotional state. It warns against intense inner turmoil, indignation, irritation, or resentment that can arise from witnessing apparent injustice. It is an inward struggle against allowing circumstances to upset one's spiritual composure and trust in God. The warning isn't merely about outward expression but the heart's posture.
• "because of evildoers":
  • Hebrew: בַּמְּרֵעִים (bamme’im), from the root רָעַע (ra'a).
  • Meaning: "those who do evil," "wicked people," "malicious ones."
  • Significance: These are individuals characterized by their consistent practice of evil deeds. The reason for fretting is directly linked to their observed prosperity or success despite their actions, which challenges a righteous person's sense of divine order.
• "neither be thou envious":
  • Hebrew: וְאַל-תְּקַנֵּא (wᵉ’al-tĕqannē’), from the root קָנָא (qana).
  • Meaning: "to be jealous," "to be zealous," "to envy." Here, it specifically denotes a negative, resentful, grudging feeling, or bitterness arising from seeing another's prosperity or ease, especially when undeserved.
  • Significance: Envy often stems from a perception of inequality or unfairness. It is a powerful emotion that corrupts the heart, focusing on what others have rather than what God provides or requires of oneself. It's akin to covetousness.
• "against the workers of iniquity":
  • Hebrew: פֹּעֲלֵי אָוֶן (po’ăley ’awen).
  • Po’ăley: "workers of," from פָּעַל (pa'al), "to do," "to make," "to work." Implies those whose chosen activity or persistent practice is the perpetration of wickedness, suggesting a habitual lifestyle.
  • ’Awen: "iniquity," "trouble," "sorrow," "vanity," "wickedness," "mischief." It conveys not just evil acts but often those that bring trouble or distress, or that are morally worthless and deceptive.
  • Significance: This phrase intensifies "evildoers," highlighting that these are not just people who commit isolated acts of evil but those whose very livelihood or core identity is defined by practicing deceit, injustice, or destructive deeds. To envy them is to wish for or approve of their corrupted path for its fleeting gains.
• Words-group analysis:
  • "Fret not thyself... neither be thou envious": These two parallel commands address distinct but related internal dangers. "Fretting" relates to anxious worry or agitation, a lack of peace concerning God's justice. "Envy" relates to a desire for what others possess or experience, especially when it causes bitter resentment, leading to discontent with God's provision or plan for one's own life. Both prohibit sinful emotional responses to perceived injustice.
  • "evildoers... workers of iniquity": These parallel phrases describe the object of the fretting and envy. They are not merely those who err, but those who are habitually and characteristically evil, deliberately engaging in unrighteous actions and living a lifestyle opposed to God. Their apparent success is what prompts the temptation to fret and envy.

Psalm 37 1 Bonus section

• Wisdom Literature Connection: This verse embodies a core tenet of Old Testament wisdom literature: the contrast between the way of the righteous and the way of the wicked, and the ultimate, certain triumph of divine justice. It addresses the practical struggle of living righteously when evil seems to pay off.
• Antithesis to Human Nature: The instruction is counter-intuitive to natural human inclination, which often seeks immediate fairness, retributive justice, or is prone to covetousness. It requires supernatural faith and self-control, cultivated through communion with God.
• Setting the Stage: This initial verse is the gateway to the entire psalm's remedy, which is trust, commitment, rest, and waiting upon the Lord. It states the problem (fretting, envy) and then implicitly points to the divine solutions that follow.
• The Problem of Theodicy: This verse indirectly tackles the theological problem of evil and divine justice (theodicy). It acknowledges the common observation that evil often thrives but offers a divine counter-perspective, commanding restraint from human judgment and reliance on God's perfect timing.

Psalm 37 1 Commentary

Psalm 37:1 serves as a foundational call to inner spiritual discipline for the believer living in a fallen world. It directly counters the human temptation to become consumed by worry or bitterness when confronted with the seeming injustice of the wicked prospering while the righteous struggle. The Hebrew term for "fret" conveys a burning inner agitation, suggesting that this instruction is not merely about external composure but about the heart's attitude – avoiding anxiety and resentment. Similarly, "envy" implies a covetousness that leads to discontentment with God's way and even a desire to adopt the methods of the wicked for perceived advantage. The psalmist implores the reader to remember that the superficial flourishing of evildoers is fleeting. Their end is destruction, contrasting sharply with the lasting inheritance and peace reserved for those who patiently trust in the Lord. This verse acts as the crucial prelude to a larger wisdom poem that elaborates on divine justice, urging faith in God's timing rather than reacting to temporal appearances. The command encourages the believer to remain focused on righteous living and spiritual steadfastness, confident that God, not human vengeance or emotional distress, will rectify all wrongs in due course.