Study Desk

Of David.

Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious^(a) of those who do wrong;^(b)

for like the grass they will soon wither,^(c) like green plants they will soon die away.^(d)

Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land^(e) and enjoy safe pasture.^(f)

Take delight^(g) in the Lord , and he will give you the desires of your heart.^(h)

Commit your way to the Lord ; trust in him⁽ⁱ⁾ and he will do this:

He will make your righteous reward^(j) shine like the dawn,^(k) your vindication like the noonday sun.

Be still^(l) before the Lord and wait patiently^(m) for him; do not fret⁽ⁿ⁾ when people succeed in their ways,^(o) when they carry out their wicked schemes.^(p)

Refrain from anger^(q) and turn from wrath; do not fret^(r)—it leads only to evil.

For those who are evil will be destroyed,^(s) but those who hope^(t) in the Lord will inherit the land.^(u)

A little while, and the wicked will be no more;^(v) though you look for them, they will not be found.

But the meek will inherit the land^(w) and enjoy peace and prosperity.^(x)

The wicked plot^(y) against the righteous and gnash their teeth^(z) at them;

but the Lord laughs at the wicked, for he knows their day is coming.^(aa)

The wicked draw the sword^(ab) and bend the bow^(ac) to bring down the poor and needy,^(ad) to slay those whose ways are upright.

But their swords will pierce their own hearts,^(ae) and their bows will be broken.^(af)

Better the little that the righteous have than the wealth^(ag) of many wicked;

for the power of the wicked will be broken,^(ah) but the Lord upholds^(ai) the righteous.

The blameless spend their days under the Lord 's care,^(aj) and their inheritance will endure forever.^(ak)

In times of disaster they will not wither; in days of famine they will enjoy plenty.

But the wicked will perish:^(al) Though the Lord 's enemies are like the flowers of the field, they will be consumed, they will go up in smoke.^(am)

The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous give generously;^(an)

those the Lord blesses will inherit the land, but those he curses^(ao) will be destroyed.^(ap)

The Lord makes firm the steps^(aq) of the one who delights^(ar) in him;

though he may stumble, he will not fall,^(as) for the Lord upholds^(at) him with his hand.

I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken^(au) or their children begging^(av) bread.

They are always generous and lend freely;^(aw) their children will be a blessing.^[b](ax)

Turn from evil and do good;^(ay) then you will dwell in the land forever.^(az)

For the Lord loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones.^(ba) Wrongdoers will be completely destroyed^[c]; the offspring of the wicked will perish.^(bb)

The righteous will inherit the land^(bc) and dwell in it forever.^(bd)

The mouths of the righteous utter wisdom,^(be) and their tongues speak what is just.

The law of their God is in their hearts;^(bf) their feet do not slip.^(bg)

The wicked lie in wait^(bh) for the righteous,^(bi) intent on putting them to death;

but the Lord will not leave them in the power of the wicked or let them be condemned^(bj) when brought to trial.^(bk)

Hope in the Lord ^(bl) and keep his way.^(bm) He will exalt you to inherit the land; when the wicked are destroyed,^(bn) you will see^(bo) it.

I have seen a wicked and ruthless man flourishing^(bp) like a luxuriant native tree,

but he soon passed away and was no more; though I looked for him, he could not be found.^(bq)

Consider the blameless,^(br) observe the upright;^(bs) a future awaits those who seek peace.^[d](bt)

But all sinners^(bu) will be destroyed;^(bv) there will be no future^[e] for the wicked.^(bw)

The salvation^(bx) of the righteous comes from the Lord ; he is their stronghold in time of trouble.^(by)

The Lord helps^(bz) them and delivers^(ca) them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves^(cb) them, because they take refuge^(cc) in him.