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Psalm 37-39
New Life Version
Psalm 37-39
New Life Version
A Safe Place for Those Who Trust in the Lord
37 Do not trouble yourself because of sinful men. Do not want to be like those who do wrong. 2 For they will soon dry up like the grass. Like the green plant they will soon die. 3 Trust in the Lord, and do good. So you will live in the land and will be fed. 4 Be happy in the Lord. And He will give you the desires of your heart. 5 Give your way over to the Lord. Trust in Him also. And He will do it. 6 He will make your being right and good show as the light, and your wise actions as the noon day.
7 Rest in the Lord and be willing to wait for Him. Do not trouble yourself when all goes well with the one who carries out his sinful plans. 8 Stop being angry. Turn away from fighting. Do not trouble yourself. It leads only to wrong-doing. 9 For those who do wrong will be cut off. But those who wait for the Lord will be given the earth. 10 A little while, and the sinful man will be no more. You will look for his place, and he will not be there. 11 But those who have no pride will be given the earth. And they will be happy and have much more than they need.
12 The sinful man plans against him who is right with God. And he grinds his teeth at him. 13 The Lord laughs at him because He sees his day is coming. 14 The sinful have taken up their sword and their bow, to bring down the poor and those in need, and to kill those whose ways are right. 15 Their sword will cut into their own heart, and their bows will be broken.
16 The few things that the man right with God has is better than the riches of many sinful men. 17 For the arms of the sinful will be broken. But the Lord holds up those who are right with Him. 18 The Lord knows the days of those who are without blame. And what is theirs will last forever. 19 They will not be ashamed in the time of trouble. And in days when there is no food they will have enough. 20 But the sinful will be lost forever. Those who hate the Lord will be like the beauty of the fields. They will be gone. Like smoke they will be gone. 21 The sinful ask for something, but do not return it. But those who are right with God are kind and give. 22 For those who are made happy by Him will be given the land. But those who are being punished by Him will be cut off.
23 The steps of a good man are led by the Lord. And He is happy in his way. 24 When he falls, he will not be thrown down, because the Lord holds his hand. 25 I have been young, and now I am old. Yet I have never seen the man who is right with God left alone, or his children begging for bread. 26 All day long he is kind and lets others use what he has. And his children make him happy.
27 Turn from sin, and do good, so you will live forever. 28 For the Lord loves what is fair and right. He does not leave the people alone who belong to Him. They are kept forever. But the children of the sinful will be cut off. 29 Those who are right with God will be given the land, and live on it forever. 30 The mouth of the man who is right with God speaks wisdom. And his tongue speaks what is fair and right. 31 The Law of his God is in his heart. His steps do not leave it. 32 The sinful lie in wait for the man who is right with God, and want to kill him. 33 The Lord will not leave him in his power. He will not let him be found guilty when he is judged. 34 Wait for the Lord. Keep His way. And He will give you a high place to receive the land. When the sinful are cut off, you will see it.
35 I have seen a very sinful man spreading himself like a green tree in its home land. 36 Then he passed away and was no more. I looked for him. But he could not be found. 37 Look at the man without blame. And watch the man who is right and good. For the man of peace will have much family to follow him. 38 But all the sinners will be destroyed. The family of the sinful will be cut off. 39 But the saving of those who are right with God is from the Lord. He is their strength in time of trouble. 40 The Lord helps them and takes them out of trouble. He takes them away from the sinful, and saves them, because they go to Him for a safe place.
Prayer of a Suffering Man
38 O Lord, do not speak sharp words to me when You are angry. Do not punish me in Your burning anger. 2 For Your arrows have cut deep into me. And Your hand has come down upon me. 3 My body is in pain because of Your anger. There is no strength in my bones because of my sin. 4 For my sins are gone over my head. Like a heavy load, they weigh too much for me. 5 My sores smell and grow bigger because I do foolish things. 6 I cannot stand straight but keep my head down. I have sorrow all day long 7 for my body is filled with burning pain. There is no strength in my body. 8 I am weak and broken. I cry because of the pain in my heart. 9 Lord, all my desire is before You. And my breathing deep within is not hidden from You. 10 My heart beats fast. My strength leaves me. Even the light of my eyes has gone from me. 11 My loved ones and my friends stay away from me because of my sickness. My family stands far away. 12 Those who want to take my life set their traps. And those who want to destroy me talk about ways to do it. They make their sinful plans all day long.
13 But like a deaf man, I do not hear. I am like one who cannot speak and does not open his mouth. 14 Yes, I am like a man who does not hear, and whose mouth does not argue. 15 For I hope in You, O Lord. You will answer, O Lord my God. 16 For I said, “Do not let them be happy and raise themselves up against me when my foot trips.” 17 For I am ready to fall. And my sorrow is always with me. 18 For I tell my wrong-doings. I am full of sorrow because of my sin. 19 But those who fight against me are full of action and strength. There are many who hate me without reason. 20 They pay what is bad for what is good. They are against me because I follow what is good. 21 Do not leave me alone, O Lord! O my God, do not be far from me! 22 Hurry to help me, O Lord, Who saves me!
Prayer of a Suffering Man
39 I said, “I will watch my ways so I may not sin with my tongue. I will keep my mouth shut as if it were tied with ropes, while the sinful are near me.” 2 I stayed quiet, not even saying anything good. And my sorrow grew worse. 3 My heart was hot within me. As I thought about things, the fire burned. Then I spoke with my tongue, 4 “O Lord, let me know my end and how many days I have to live. Let me know that I do not have long to stay here. 5 You have made each of my days as long as a hand is wide. My whole life is nothing in Your eyes. Every man at his best is only a breath. 6 Every man walks here and there like a shadow. He makes a noise about nothing. He stores up riches, not knowing who will gather them.
7 And now, Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in You. 8 Save me from all my sins. Do not let me be put to shame by the foolish. 9 I cannot speak. I do not open my mouth because it is You Who has done it. 10 Do not punish me any more. I am growing weak by the beatings of Your hand. 11 With sharp words You punish a man for sin. You destroy like a moth what is of worth to him. For sure, every man is only a breath.
12 O Lord, hear my prayer, and listen to my cry. Do not be quiet when You see my tears. For I am a stranger with You, a visitor like all my fathers. 13 Look away from me, so I may have joy again before I go and am no more.”
Psalm 37-39
New International Version
Psalm 37-39
New International Version
Psalm 37[a]
Of David.
1 Do not fret because of those who are evil
or be envious(A) of those who do wrong;(B)
2 for like the grass they will soon wither,(C)
like green plants they will soon die away.(D)
3 Trust in the Lord and do good;
dwell in the land(E) and enjoy safe pasture.(F)
4 Take delight(G) in the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.(H)
5 Commit your way to the Lord;
trust in him(I) and he will do this:
6 He will make your righteous reward(J) shine like the dawn,(K)
your vindication like the noonday sun.
7 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)
8 Refrain from anger(Q) and turn from wrath;
do not fret(R)—it leads only to evil.
9 For those who are evil will be destroyed,(S)
but those who hope(T) in the Lord will inherit the land.(U)
10 A little while, and the wicked will be no more;(V)
though you look for them, they will not be found.
11 But the meek will inherit the land(W)
and enjoy peace and prosperity.(X)
12 The wicked plot(Y) against the righteous
and gnash their teeth(Z) at them;
13 but the Lord laughs at the wicked,
for he knows their day is coming.(AA)
14 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.
15 But their swords will pierce their own hearts,(AE)
and their bows will be broken.(AF)
16 Better the little that the righteous have
than the wealth(AG) of many wicked;
17 for the power of the wicked will be broken,(AH)
but the Lord upholds(AI) the righteous.
18 The blameless spend their days under the Lord’s care,(AJ)
and their inheritance will endure forever.(AK)
19 In times of disaster they will not wither;
in days of famine they will enjoy plenty.
20 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)
21 The wicked borrow and do not repay,
but the righteous give generously;(AN)
22 those the Lord blesses will inherit the land,
but those he curses(AO) will be destroyed.(AP)
23 The Lord makes firm the steps(AQ)
of the one who delights(AR) in him;
24 though he may stumble, he will not fall,(AS)
for the Lord upholds(AT) him with his hand.
25 I was young and now I am old,
yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken(AU)
or their children begging(AV) bread.
26 They are always generous and lend freely;(AW)
their children will be a blessing.[b](AX)
27 Turn from evil and do good;(AY)
then you will dwell in the land forever.(AZ)
28 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)
29 The righteous will inherit the land(BC)
and dwell in it forever.(BD)
30 The mouths of the righteous utter wisdom,(BE)
and their tongues speak what is just.
31 The law of their God is in their hearts;(BF)
their feet do not slip.(BG)
32 The wicked lie in wait(BH) for the righteous,(BI)
intent on putting them to death;
33 but the Lord will not leave them in the power of the wicked
or let them be condemned(BJ) when brought to trial.(BK)
34 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.
35 I have seen a wicked and ruthless man
flourishing(BP) like a luxuriant native tree,
36 but he soon passed away and was no more;
though I looked for him, he could not be found.(BQ)
37 Consider the blameless,(BR) observe the upright;(BS)
a future awaits those who seek peace.[d](BT)
38 But all sinners(BU) will be destroyed;(BV)
there will be no future[e] for the wicked.(BW)
39 The salvation(BX) of the righteous comes from the Lord;
he is their stronghold in time of trouble.(BY)
40 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.
Psalm 38[f]
A psalm of David. A petition.
1 Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger
or discipline me in your wrath.(CD)
2 Your arrows(CE) have pierced me,
and your hand has come down on me.
3 Because of your wrath there is no health(CF) in my body;
there is no soundness in my bones(CG) because of my sin.
4 My guilt has overwhelmed(CH) me
like a burden too heavy to bear.(CI)
5 My wounds(CJ) fester and are loathsome(CK)
because of my sinful folly.(CL)
6 I am bowed down(CM) and brought very low;
all day long I go about mourning.(CN)
7 My back is filled with searing pain;(CO)
there is no health(CP) in my body.
8 I am feeble and utterly crushed;(CQ)
I groan(CR) in anguish of heart.(CS)
9 All my longings(CT) lie open before you, Lord;
my sighing(CU) is not hidden from you.
10 My heart pounds,(CV) my strength fails(CW) me;
even the light has gone from my eyes.(CX)
11 My friends and companions avoid me because of my wounds;(CY)
my neighbors stay far away.
12 Those who want to kill me set their traps,(CZ)
those who would harm me talk of my ruin;(DA)
all day long they scheme and lie.(DB)
13 I am like the deaf, who cannot hear,(DC)
like the mute, who cannot speak;
14 I have become like one who does not hear,
whose mouth can offer no reply.
15 Lord, I wait(DD) for you;
you will answer,(DE) Lord my God.
16 For I said, “Do not let them gloat(DF)
or exalt themselves over me when my feet slip.”(DG)
17 For I am about to fall,(DH)
and my pain(DI) is ever with me.
18 I confess my iniquity;(DJ)
I am troubled by my sin.
19 Many have become my enemies(DK) without cause[g];
those who hate me(DL) without reason(DM) are numerous.
20 Those who repay my good with evil(DN)
lodge accusations(DO) against me,
though I seek only to do what is good.
21 Lord, do not forsake me;(DP)
do not be far(DQ) from me, my God.
22 Come quickly(DR) to help me,(DS)
my Lord and my Savior.(DT)
Psalm 39[h]
For the director of music. For Jeduthun. A psalm of David.
1 I said, “I will watch my ways(DU)
and keep my tongue from sin;(DV)
I will put a muzzle on my mouth(DW)
while in the presence of the wicked.”
2 So I remained utterly silent,(DX)
not even saying anything good.
But my anguish(DY) increased;
3 my heart grew hot(DZ) within me.
While I meditated,(EA) the fire(EB) burned;
then I spoke with my tongue:
4 “Show me, Lord, my life’s end
and the number of my days;(EC)
let me know how fleeting(ED) my life is.(EE)
5 You have made my days(EF) a mere handbreadth;
the span of my years is as nothing before you.
Everyone is but a breath,(EG)
even those who seem secure.[i]
6 “Surely everyone goes around(EH) like a mere phantom;(EI)
in vain they rush about,(EJ) heaping up wealth(EK)
without knowing whose it will finally be.(EL)
7 “But now, Lord, what do I look for?
My hope is in you.(EM)
8 Save me(EN) from all my transgressions;(EO)
do not make me the scorn(EP) of fools.
9 I was silent;(EQ) I would not open my mouth,(ER)
for you are the one who has done this.(ES)
10 Remove your scourge from me;
I am overcome by the blow(ET) of your hand.(EU)
11 When you rebuke(EV) and discipline(EW) anyone for their sin,
you consume(EX) their wealth like a moth(EY)—
surely everyone is but a breath.(EZ)
Footnotes
- Psalm 37:1 This psalm is an acrostic poem, the stanzas of which begin with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet.
- Psalm 37:26 Or freely; / the names of their children will be used in blessings (see Gen. 48:20); or freely; / others will see that their children are blessed
- Psalm 37:28 See Septuagint; Hebrew They will be protected forever
- Psalm 37:37 Or upright; / those who seek peace will have posterity
- Psalm 37:38 Or posterity
- Psalm 38:1 In Hebrew texts 38:1-22 is numbered 38:2-23.
- Psalm 38:19 One Dead Sea Scrolls manuscript; Masoretic Text my vigorous enemies
- Psalm 39:1 In Hebrew texts 39:1-13 is numbered 39:2-14.
- Psalm 39:5 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verse 11.
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