Psalms 37:1-40

Don’t be upset because of evil people. Don’t be jealous of those who do wrong, because like the grass, they will soon dry up. Like green plants, they will soon die away. Trust the LORD and do good. Live in the land and feed on truth. Enjoy serving the LORD, and he will give you what you want. Depend on the LORD; trust him, and he will take care of you. Then your goodness will shine like the sun, and your fairness like the noonday sun. Wait and trust the LORD. Don’t be upset when others get rich or when someone else’s plans succeed. Don’t get angry. Don’t be upset; it only leads to trouble. Evil people will be sent away, but those who trust the LORD will inherit the land. In a little while the wicked will be no more. You may look for them, but they will be gone. People who are not proud will inherit the land and will enjoy complete peace. The wicked make evil plans against good people. They grind their teeth at them in anger. But the Lord laughs at the wicked, because he sees that their day is coming. The wicked draw their swords and bend their bows to kill the poor and helpless, to kill those who are honest. But their swords will stab their own hearts, and their bows will break. It is better to have little and be right than to have much and be wrong. The power of the wicked will be broken, but the LORD supports those who do right. The LORD watches over the lives of the innocent, and their reward will last forever. They will not be ashamed when trouble comes. They will be full in times of hunger. But the wicked will die. The LORD’s enemies will be like the flowers of the fields; they will disappear like smoke. The wicked borrow and don’t pay back, but those who do right give freely to others. Those whom the LORD blesses will inherit the land, but those he curses will be sent away. When people’s steps follow the LORD, God is pleased with their ways. If they stumble, they will not fall, because the LORD holds their hand. I was young, and now I am old, but I have never seen good people left helpless or their children begging for food. Good people always lend freely to others, and their children are a blessing. Stop doing evil and do good, so you will live forever. The LORD loves justice and will not leave those who worship him. He will always protect them, but the children of the wicked will die. Good people will inherit the land and will live in it forever. Good people speak with wisdom, and they say what is fair. The teachings of their God are in their heart, so they do not fail to keep them. The wicked watch for good people so that they may kill them. But the LORD will not take away his protection or let good people be judged guilty. Wait for the LORD’s help and follow him. He will honor you and give you the land, and you will see the wicked sent away. I saw a wicked and cruel man who looked strong like a healthy tree in good soil. But he died and was gone; I looked for him, but he couldn’t be found. Think of the innocent person, and watch the honest one. The man who has peace will have children to live after him. But sinners will be destroyed; in the end the wicked will die. The LORD saves good people; he is their strength in times of trouble. The LORD helps them and saves them; he saves them from the wicked, because they trust in him for protection.