Bible Strands
Psalms 37:1
Of David. Do not fret over those who do evil; do not envy those who do wrong.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — David addresses a reader tempted by the visible success of evildoers. The immediate context (v. 2) supplies the reason for the command: their prosperity is as temporary as grass.
The words — תִּתְחַר (tit.Char, "you fret yourself") and תְּקַנֵּא (te.ka.Ne', "you be jealous") are both strong, visceral verbs, not mild suggestions. The first connotes a churning agitation; the second shares its root with the word for divine jealousy (qana').
The thread — The same double command appears in Proverbs 24:19 and is echoed in Proverbs 23:17 and Psalms 37:7, where the reason given is to wait on the LORD rather than compare.
Why it lands — It asks the reader to stop measuring their standing against the prosperity of the wicked, a comparison the psalmist declares will end in their withering.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
A Psalm of David. Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.
Cross-references
- Psalms 37:7 Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for Him; do not fret when men prosper in their ways, when they carry out wicked schemes.
- Proverbs 23:17 Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always continue in the fear of the LORD.
- Proverbs 24:19 Do not fret over evildoers, and do not be envious of the wicked.
- Proverbs 3:31 Do not envy a violent man or choose any of his ways;
- Proverbs 24:1 Do not envy wicked men or desire their company;
- Psalms 73:3 For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
- Galatians 5:21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
- James 4:5 Or do you think the Scripture says without reason that the Spirit He caused to dwell in us yearns with envy?
- 1 Samuel 1:6 Because the LORD had closed Hannah’s womb, her rival would provoke her viciously to taunt her.
- Proverbs 19:3 A man’s own folly subverts his way, yet his heart rages against the LORD.