The Heritage of the Righteous and the Calamity of the Wicked
A Psalm of David.
Do not fret because of him who bprospers in his way,
Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.
Indeed, byou will look carefully for his place,
But it shall be no more.
And have bent their bow,
To cast down the poor and needy,
To slay those who are of upright conduct.
And the enemies of the Lord,
Like the splendor of the meadows, shall vanish.
Into smoke they shall vanish away.
| << Psalms 36:12 | Psalms 37:2 >> |
Psalms 37:1
Fret not thyself - The Hebrew word here means properly to burn, to be kindled, to be inflamed, and is often applied to anger, as if under its influence we become "heated:" Genesis 31:36; Genesis 34:7; I Samuel 15:11; II Samuel 19:43. Hence, it means to fret oneself, to be angry, or indignant. Compare Proverbs 24:19. We should perhaps express the same idea by the word "worrying" or "chafing." The state of mind is that where we are worried, or envious, because others are prosperous and successful, and we are not. The idea is, therefore, closely allied with that in the other part of the verse, "neither be thou "envious." "
Because of evil-doers - Wicked men:
(a) at the fact that there are wicked men, or that God suffers them to live;
(b) at their numbers;
(c) at their success and prosperity.
Neither be thou envious - Envy is pain, mortification, discontent, at the superior excellence or prosperity of others, accompanied often with some degree of malignant feeling, and with a disposition to detract from their merit. It is the result of a comparison of ourselves with others who are more highly gifted or favored, or who are more successful than we are ourselves. The feeling referred to here is that which springs up in the mind when we see persons of corrupt or wicked character prospered, while we, endeavoring to do right, are left to poverty, to disappointment, and to tears.
| << Psalms 36:12 | Psalms 37:2 >> |
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