Psalm 37:7
New International Version
Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.

New Living Translation
Be still in the presence of the LORD, and wait patiently for him to act. Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes.

English Standard Version
Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!

Berean Standard Bible
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.

King James Bible
Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.

New King James Version
Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.

New American Standard Bible
Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him; Do not get upset because of one who is successful in his way, Because of the person who carries out wicked schemes.

NASB 1995
Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who carries out wicked schemes.

NASB 1977
Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who carries out wicked schemes.

Legacy Standard Bible
Be still in Yahweh and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who carries out schemes of wickedness.

Amplified Bible
Be still before the LORD; wait patiently for Him and entrust yourself to Him; Do not fret (whine, agonize) because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who carries out wicked schemes.

Christian Standard Bible
Be silent before the LORD and wait expectantly for him; do not be agitated by one who prospers in his way, by the person who carries out evil plans.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Be silent before the LORD and wait expectantly for Him; do not be agitated by one who prospers in his way, by the man who carries out evil plans.

American Standard Version
Rest in Jehovah, and wait patiently for him: Fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, Because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.

Contemporary English Version
Be patient and trust the LORD. Don't let it bother you when all goes well for those who do sinful things.

English Revised Version
Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Surrender yourself to the LORD, and wait patiently for him. Do not be preoccupied with [an evildoer]who succeeds in his way when he carries out his schemes.

Good News Translation
Be patient and wait for the LORD to act; don't be worried about those who prosper or those who succeed in their evil plans.

International Standard Version
Be silent in the LORD's presence and wait patiently for him. Don't be angry because of the one whose way prospers or the one who implements evil schemes.

Majority Standard Bible
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.

NET Bible
Wait patiently for the LORD! Wait confidently for him! Do not fret over the apparent success of a sinner, a man who carries out wicked schemes!

New Heart English Bible
Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him. Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who makes wicked plots happen.

Webster's Bible Translation
Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.

World English Bible
Rest in Yahweh, and wait patiently for him. Don’t fret because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who makes wicked plots happen.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Be silent for YHWH, and stay yourself for Him, "" Do not fret because of him "" Who is making his way prosperous, "" Because of a man doing wicked schemes.

Young's Literal Translation
Be silent for Jehovah, and stay thyself for Him, Do not fret because of him Who is making prosperous his way, Because of a man doing wicked devices.

Smith's Literal Translation
Be silent to Jehovah and wait for him: thou shalt not be angry at him prospering his way, at the man doing wickednesses.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Be subject to the Lord and pray to him Envy not the man who prospereth in his way; the man who doth unjust things.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Be subject to the Lord and pray to him. Do not choose to compete with him who prospers in his way, with the man who does injustice.

New American Bible
Be still before the LORD; wait for him. Do not be provoked by the prosperous, nor by malicious schemers.

New Revised Standard Version
Be still before the LORD, and wait patiently for him; do not fret over those who prosper in their way, over those who carry out evil devices.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Seek the LORD, and pray before him; envy not the man who does evil, and prospers in his way.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Beg of LORD JEHOVAH and pray before him, and do not envy a man who does evil and whose way prospers.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Resign thyself unto the LORD, and wait patiently for Him; Fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, Because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Submit thyself to the Lord, and supplicate him: fret not thyself because of him that prospers in his way, at the man that does unlawful deeds.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Do Not Envy Those who Do Wrong
6He will bring forth your righteousness like the dawn, your justice like the noonday sun. 7Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for Him; do not fret when men prosper in their ways, when they carry out wicked schemes. 8Refrain from anger and abandon wrath; do not fret—it can only bring harm.…

Cross References
Isaiah 40:31
But those who wait upon the LORD will renew their strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.

Philippians 4:6-7
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. / And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

James 5:7-8
Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer awaits the precious fruit of the soil—how patient he is for the fall and spring rains. / You, too, be patient and strengthen your hearts, because the Lord’s coming is near.

Lamentations 3:25-26
The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him. / It is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.

Exodus 14:14
The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.”

Romans 12:19
Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.”

Proverbs 20:22
Do not say, “I will avenge this evil!” Wait on the LORD, and He will save you.

Hebrews 10:36
You need to persevere, so that after you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised.

Isaiah 30:15
For the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel, has said: “By repentance and rest you would be saved; your strength would lie in quiet confidence—but you were not willing.”

1 Peter 5:7
Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.

Matthew 11:28-30
Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. / Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. / For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Isaiah 26:3
You will keep in perfect peace the steadfast of mind, because he trusts in You.

Romans 8:25
But if we hope for what we do not yet see, we wait for it patiently.

1 Thessalonians 5:14
And we urge you, brothers, to admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, and be patient with everyone.

Micah 7:7
But as for me, I will look to the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation. My God will hear me.


Treasury of Scripture

Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not yourself because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who brings wicked devices to pass.

Rest in [heb.

Psalm 62:1
To the chief Musician, to Jeduthun, A Psalm of David. Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation.

Joshua 10:12
Then spake Joshua to the LORD in the day when the LORD delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon.

Jonah 1:11
Then said they unto him, What shall we do unto thee, that the sea may be calm unto us? for the sea wrought, and was tempestuous.

wait

Psalm 27:14
Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

Psalm 40:1
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.

Proverbs 20:22
Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee.

fret

Psalm 50:8
I will not reprove thee for thy sacrifices or thy burnt offerings, to have been continually before me.

Psalm 73:3-14
For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked…

Jeremiah 12:1
Righteous art thou, O LORD, when I plead with thee: yet let me talk with thee of thy judgments: Wherefore doth the way of the wicked prosper? wherefore are all they happy that deal very treacherously?

the man

Job 21:7
Wherefore do the wicked live, become old, yea, are mighty in power?

Ecclesiastes 5:8
If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of judgment and justice in a province, marvel not at the matter: for he that is higher than the highest regardeth; and there be higher than they.

Isaiah 10:13,14
For he saith, By the strength of my hand I have done it, and by my wisdom; for I am prudent: and I have removed the bounds of the people, and have robbed their treasures, and I have put down the inhabitants like a valiant man: …

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Angry Bad Carries Designs Devices Effect Evil Fret Gives Makes Making Mischievous Patiently Plots Prospereth Prosperous Prospers Quietly Rest Schemes Silent Succeed Thyself Wait Waiting Way Ways Wicked
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Angry Bad Carries Designs Devices Effect Evil Fret Gives Makes Making Mischievous Patiently Plots Prospereth Prosperous Prospers Quietly Rest Schemes Silent Succeed Thyself Wait Waiting Way Ways Wicked
Psalm 37
1. David persuades to patience and confidence in God,
12. by the different estate of the godly and the wicked














Be still
The Hebrew root for "be still" is "דּוּם" (dum), which conveys a sense of silence, quietness, and rest. In the context of Psalm 37, this phrase calls believers to a posture of calmness and trust in God amidst life's chaos. Historically, this reflects the ancient Israelite understanding of faith as an active trust in God's sovereignty, encouraging believers to cease striving and to rest in the assurance of God's control over all circumstances.

before the LORD
The phrase "before the LORD" emphasizes the presence of God as a central reality in the believer's life. The Hebrew word "לִפְנֵי" (lifnei) means "in the presence of" or "before," indicating a direct and personal relationship with God. This phrase invites believers to live with an awareness of God's nearness, drawing from the rich biblical tradition that God is not distant but intimately involved in the lives of His people.

and wait patiently for Him
The Hebrew word for "wait patiently" is "חִיל" (chul), which can also mean to twist, whirl, or dance, suggesting an active, expectant waiting. This phrase encourages believers to maintain hope and trust in God's timing, even when immediate circumstances seem challenging. Scripturally, this reflects the broader biblical theme of patience as a virtue, where waiting on God is seen as an expression of faith and reliance on His perfect plan.

Do not fret
The Hebrew root "חָרָה" (charah) means to burn or be kindled with anger. Here, it is used to counsel against anxiety or agitation. This phrase is a reminder to believers not to let worry or anger consume them, especially in the face of apparent injustices or the prosperity of the wicked. It aligns with the biblical teaching that trust in God should replace fear and anxiety, as God is ultimately just and righteous.

when men prosper in their ways
This phrase addresses the common human experience of seeing the wicked succeed. The Hebrew word for "prosper" is "צָלַח" (tsalach), which means to advance or succeed. The psalmist acknowledges the reality of the wicked prospering but urges believers to maintain their focus on God's justice and righteousness. Historically, this reflects the tension in ancient Israel between the apparent success of the wicked and the covenant promises of God to His people.

when they carry out wicked schemes
The phrase "wicked schemes" comes from the Hebrew "מְזִמּוֹת" (mezimot), meaning plans or devices. This highlights the intentional and often deceitful nature of the actions of the wicked. The psalmist reassures believers that despite the success of these schemes, God's justice will prevail. This serves as a call to trust in God's ultimate judgment and to refrain from taking matters into one's own hands.

(7) Rest . . .--Better, Hush! Be still! See margin. The good man, seeing merit unrewarded and wickedness, on the other hand, constantly successful, is tempted to repine. For a later echo of the poet's thought, irradiated by Christian hope, we may recur to Coleridge's well-known "Complaint" and its "reproof."

Verse 7. - Rest in the Lord; literally, be silent; i.e. do not murmur; make no complaint; be silently acquiescent and resigned. And wait patiently for him. Be content to await his time, which is sure to be the right time. Meanwhile possess your soul in patience. Fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way (comp. ver. 1, of which this brings out the sense). It is when the ungodly prosper that the righteous are apt to repine. Because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. It is the success of the ungodly in their wicked plots and schemes which especially vexes the righteous (see Job 9:24; Job 12:6; Job 21:7-9: 24:2-12; Psalm 72:5-12, etc.).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Be still
דּ֤וֹם ׀ (dō·wm)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 1826: To be dumb, to be astonished, to stop, to perish

before the LORD
לַיהוָה֮ (Yah·weh)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

and wait patiently
וְהִתְח֪וֹלֵ֫ל (wə·hiṯ·ḥō·w·lêl)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 2342: To twist, whirl, to dance, to writhe in pain, fear, to wait, to pervert

for Him;
ל֥וֹ (lōw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's Hebrew

fret
תִּ֭תְחַר (tiṯ·ḥar)
Verb - Hitpael - Imperfect Jussive - second person masculine singular
Strong's 2734: To glow, grow warm, to blaze up, of anger, zeal, jealousy

not
אַל־ (’al-)
Adverb
Strong's 408: Not

when men prosper
בְּמַצְלִ֣יחַ (bə·maṣ·lî·aḥ)
Preposition-b | Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6743: To push forward

in their ways,
דַּרְכּ֑וֹ (dar·kōw)
Noun - common singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1870: A road, a course of life, mode of action

[when they]
בְּ֝אִ֗ישׁ (bə·’îš)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

carry out
עֹשֶׂ֥ה (‘ō·śeh)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 6213: To do, make

wicked schemes.
מְזִמּֽוֹת׃ (mə·zim·mō·wṯ)
Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 4209: A plan, evil, sometimes good


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OT Poetry: Psalm 37:7 Rest in Yahweh and wait patiently (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 37:6
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