1By David. Don’t worry because of evil people, and don’t be jealous of those who do wrong.
2Because they will soon be cut down like grass and wither like green plants.
3Trust in Yahweh, and do good. Live in the land, and safely enjoy its bounty.
4Also, find joy in Yahweh, and he will give you what your heart desires.
5Entrust your life to Yahweh. Trust him, and he will act:
6He will make your goodness shine like the dawn, and your justice like the midday sun.
7Be still in Yahweh's presence and wait patiently for him. Don't worry about those who succeed in their ways, or about the person who carries out wicked plans.
8Stop being angry and abandon your rage. Don't fret; it only leads to doing wrong.
9Because those who do wrong will be removed, but those who wait for Yahweh will inherit the land.
10For soon the wicked will be no more. Even if you look for their place, they won't be there.
11But the humble will inherit the land and will enjoy abundant peace.
12The wicked plot against the just and angrily snarl at them.
13The Lord will laugh at them, because he sees that their day of judgment is coming.
14The wicked have drawn their swords and bent their bows to strike down the poor and needy, and to kill those who live honestly.
15Their swords will pierce their own hearts, and their bows will be broken.
16A little that the righteous have is better than the abundant wealth of many wicked people.
17For the power of the wicked will be shattered, but Yahweh supports the righteous.
18Yahweh knows the days of those who do right. Their inheritance will last forever.
19They will not be disappointed in times of trouble. In days of famine, they will have plenty.
20But the wicked will die. Yahweh's enemies will be like the beautiful flowers of the field; they will vanish—vanish like smoke.
21The wicked borrow and don't repay, but the righteous give generously.
22For those Yahweh blesses will inherit the land. Those he curses will be removed.
23Yahweh directs a person's steps. He delights in their way.
24Even if he stumbles, he won't fall, because Yahweh holds him up with his hand.
25I have been young, and now I am old, but I have never seen good people abandoned, or their children begging for food.
26All day long he is kind and lends to others. His children are blessed.
27Turn away from evil and do good. Live safely forever.
28For Yahweh loves what is right and doesn't abandon his loyal followers. They are protected forever, but the children of the wicked will be eliminated.
29Good people will inherit the land and live in it forever.
30The mouths of good people speak wisely. Their tongues speak what is just.
31The law of his God is in his heart. He will not stumble.
32Wicked people watch good people and try to kill them.
33Yahweh will not let the wicked succeed, nor will he condemn good people when they are judged.
34Wait for Yahweh and follow his path. He will honor you by letting you inherit the land. You will see when the wicked are destroyed.
35I have seen wicked people in great power, spreading out like a strong, green tree in its native soil.
36But then he died, and suddenly he was gone. I looked for him, but he couldn't be found.
37Pay attention to the blameless person and observe the upright, because there is a future for the person who makes peace.
38As for those who break the law, they will all be destroyed together. The wicked will have no future.
39But the salvation of good people comes from Yahweh. He is their strong refuge in times of trouble.
40Yahweh helps them and rescues them. He rescues them from the wicked and saves them, because they have taken shelter in him.