Trust in the LORD’s goodness and relinquish any envy for those who practice iniquity.
In Psalm 37:1, King David declares: "Do not fret because of evildoers, Be not envious toward wrongdoers" (v.1). David reigned as king of Israel from around 1010 to 970 B.C., ruling in Jerusalem and leading God’s chosen people through military victories and spiritual guidance. Writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, David addresses the universal human tendency to worry when observing the apparent success of the unrighteous, reminding God’s people that their true focus and confidence should rest in the LORD’s sovereign care.
David’s command to “not fret” serves as an invitation to walk in faith rather than be consumed by the anxiety of comparing oneself to others. When believers take to heart the exhortation to let go of envy and trust the LORD, they realize God is the source of their security. This message resonates with the broader biblical theme that the faithful are protected beneath the Almighty’s provision (Psalm 37, Matthew 6:25, 33; James 1:2-3; Revelation 2:11). Instead of being preoccupied with temporary injustices, David points to a lasting hope found in God’s righteousness and promises.
By warning his readers against the seduction of envying those who do wrong, David underscores the reality that lasting reward and peace come from following God’s ways. Like many themes found in Jesus’s teaching—namely, seeking the kingdom of heaven above all else—this passage reminds us that God’s justice stands firm and that the wicked cannot ultimately prosper under His watchful eye.
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Psalms 37:1 meaning
In Psalm 37:1, King David declares: "Do not fret because of evildoers, Be not envious toward wrongdoers" (v.1). David reigned as king of Israel from around 1010 to 970 B.C., ruling in Jerusalem and leading God’s chosen people through military victories and spiritual guidance. Writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, David addresses the universal human tendency to worry when observing the apparent success of the unrighteous, reminding God’s people that their true focus and confidence should rest in the LORD’s sovereign care.
David’s command to “not fret” serves as an invitation to walk in faith rather than be consumed by the anxiety of comparing oneself to others. When believers take to heart the exhortation to let go of envy and trust the LORD, they realize God is the source of their security. This message resonates with the broader biblical theme that the faithful are protected beneath the Almighty’s provision (Psalm 37, Matthew 6:25, 33; James 1:2-3; Revelation 2:11). Instead of being preoccupied with temporary injustices, David points to a lasting hope found in God’s righteousness and promises.
By warning his readers against the seduction of envying those who do wrong, David underscores the reality that lasting reward and peace come from following God’s ways. Like many themes found in Jesus’s teaching—namely, seeking the kingdom of heaven above all else—this passage reminds us that God’s justice stands firm and that the wicked cannot ultimately prosper under His watchful eye.