Psa 37:3-10 | NETfull | STEP | Trust in the Lord and do what is right! Settle in the land and maintain your integrity!

Psalms 37:3-10

3 Trust in the Lord and do what is right!
Settle in the land and maintain your integrity! ^{▼▼ Heb “tend integrity.” The verb רָעָה (ra’ah, “tend, shepherd”) is probably used here in the sense of “watch over, guard.” The noun אֱמוּנָה (’emunah, “faithfulness, honesty, integrity”) is understood as the direct object of the verb, though it could be taken as an adverbial accusative, “[feed] securely,” if the audience is likened to a flock of sheep.}
4 Then you will take delight in the Lord, ^{▼▼ Following the imperatives of v. 3 the prefixed verbal forms with vav (ו) in v. 4 indicate result. Faith and obedience (v. 3) will bring divine blessing (v. 4).}
and he will answer your prayers. ^{▼▼ Or “and he will give you what you desire most.” Heb “and he will grant to you the requests of your heart.”}
5 Commit your future to the Lord! ^{▼▼ Heb “roll your way upon the Lord.” The noun “way” may refer here to one’s activities or course of life.}
Trust in him, and he will act on your behalf. ^{▼▼ Heb “he will act.” Verse 6 explains what is meant; the Lord will vindicate those who trust in him.}
6 He will vindicate you in broad daylight,
and publicly defend your just cause. ^{▼▼ Heb “and he will bring out like light your vindication, and your just cause like noonday.”}
7 Wait patiently for the Lord! ^{▼▼ Heb “Be quiet before the Lord!”}
Wait confidently ^{▼▼ The Hebrew text has וְהִתְחוֹלֵל (v^ehitkholel, Hitpolel of חִיל, khil, “writhe with fear, suffer”) but this idea fits awkwardly here. The text should be changed to וְתוֹחֵל (v^etokhel; Hiphil of יָחַל, yakhal, “wait”). It appears that the Hebrew text is the product of dittography: (1) the initial וה (vav-he) is accidentally repeated from the preceding word (יְהוָה, y^ehvah) and (2) the final lamed (ל) is accidentally repeated (note the preceding lamed and the initial lamed on the following form, לו).} for him!
Do not fret over the apparent success of a sinner, ^{▼▼ Heb “over one who causes his way to be successful.”}
a man who carries out wicked schemes!
8 Do not be angry and frustrated! ^{▼▼ Heb “Refrain from anger! Abandon rage!”}
Do not fret! That only leads to trouble!
9 Wicked men ^{▼▼ Heb “for evil men.” The conjunction כִּי (ki, “for”) relates to the exhortations in v. 8; there is no reason to be frustrated, for the evildoers will be punished in due time.} will be wiped out, ^{▼▼ Or “cut off, removed.”}
but those who rely on the Lord are the ones who will possess the land. ^{▼▼ Heb “and those who wait on the Lord, they will possess the land.”}
10 Evil men will soon disappear; ^{▼▼ Heb “and yet, a little, there will be no wicked [one].”}
you will stare at the spot where they once were, but they will be gone. ^{▼▼ Heb “and you will carefully look upon his place, but he will not be [there].” The singular is used here in a representative sense; the typical evildoer is in view.}