Psalm 37 

A David Psalm

37 

1-2 Don’t bother your head with braggarts

    or wish you could succeed like the wicked.

In no time they’ll shrivel like grass clippings

    and wilt like cut flowers in the sun.

3-4 

Get insurance with God and do a good deed,

    settle down and stick to your last.

Keep company with God,

    get in on the best.

5-6 

Open up before God, keep nothing back;

    he’ll do whatever needs to be done:

He’ll validate your life in the clear light of day

    and stamp you with approval at high noon.

7 

Quiet down before God,

    be prayerful before him.

Don’t bother with those who climb the ladder,

    who elbow their way to the top.

8-9 

Bridle your anger, trash your wrath,

    cool your pipes—it only makes things worse.

Before long the crooks will be bankrupt;

    God-investors will soon own the store.

10-11 

Before you know it, the wicked will have had it;

    you’ll stare at his once famous place and—nothing!

Down-to-earth people will move in and take over,

    relishing a huge bonanza.