The Meaning of Psalms 37:1 Explained

Psalms 37:1

KJV: {A Psalm of David.} Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.

YLT: By David. Do not fret because of evil doers, Be not envious against doers of iniquity,

Darby: {A Psalm of David.} Fret not thyself because of evil-doers, and be not envious of them that work unrighteousness;

ASV: Fret not thyself because of evil-doers, Neither be thou envious against them that work unrighteousness.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

{{[A Psalm] of David.  }} Fret  not thyself because of evildoers,  neither be thou envious  against the workers  of iniquity. 

What does Psalms 37:1 Mean?

Context Summary

Psalms 37:1-17 - A Sure Cure For Fretting
This is an acrostic psalm, grappling with the problem of the inequality of human life and the apparent failure of God to reward His servants and punish His enemies as they deserve. Life and immortality, where we know that the balance will be readjusted, had not then been brought to light, and therefore the solution was far harder before the advent of our Lord than for us.
But though the psalmist's solution is therefore not complete, his teaching of the blessedness of absolute trust in God's providence is very delightful. Fret not thyself; that is, do not give way to passionate resentment or bitter disappointment. Live in God; find your delight in contemplating His nature and His works; roll on Him the decision of your life-choices; trust in Him to supply all your need and work in your behalf. Be silent and rest!
How dramatically this picture of the happy, restful child of God is contrasted with the wicked and his certain doom-like barren pastures scorched by heat, or thin smoke-columns vanishing in the air! "Wait and trust! [source]

Chapter Summary: Psalms 37

1  David persuades to patience and confidence in God,
12  by the different estate of the godly and the wicked

What do the individual words in Psalms 37:1 mean?

A Psalm of David Not do fret because of evildoers nor be envious of the workers of iniquity
לְדָוִ֨ד ׀ אַל־ תִּתְחַ֥ר בַּמְּרֵעִ֑ים אַל־ תְּ֝קַנֵּ֗א בְּעֹשֵׂ֥י עַוְלָֽה

לְדָוִ֨ד ׀  A  Psalm  of  David 
Parse: Preposition-l, Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: דָּוִד  
Sense: youngest son of Jesse and second king of Israel.
תִּתְחַ֥ר  do  fret 
Parse: Verb, Hitpael, Imperfect Jussive, second person masculine singular
Root: חָרָה  
Sense: to be hot, furious, burn, become angry, be kindled.
בַּמְּרֵעִ֑ים  because  of  evildoers 
Parse: Preposition-b, Article, Verb, Hifil, Participle, masculine plural
Root: מֵרֵעַ 
Sense: to be bad, be evil.
אַל־  nor 
Parse: Adverb
Root: אַל  
Sense: not, no, nor, neither, nothing (as wish or preference).
תְּ֝קַנֵּ֗א  be  envious 
Parse: Verb, Piel, Imperfect, second person masculine singular
Root: קָנָא  
Sense: to envy, be jealous, be envious, be zealous.
בְּעֹשֵׂ֥י  of  the  workers 
Parse: Preposition-b, Verb, Qal, Participle, masculine plural construct
Root: עָשָׂה 
Sense: to do, fashion, accomplish, make.
עַוְלָֽה  of  iniquity 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular
Root: עָוֶל 
Sense: injustice, unrighteousness, wrong.