Don't Fret Because of Evildoers

(1 Kings 2:1-9)

1A Psalm of David.

א

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

2For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.

ב

3Trust in the LORD, and do good; dwell in the land, and follow after faithfulness.

4Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

ג

5Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him, and he shall bring it to pass.

6Add he shall make thy righteousness to go forth as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.

ד

7Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.

ה

8Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself, it tendeth only to evil-doing.

9For evil-doers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the land.

ו

10For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and he shall not be.

11But the meek shall inherit the land; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.

ז

12The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth.

13The Lord shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming.

ח

14The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow; to cast down the poor and needy, to slay such as be upright in the way:

15Their sword shall enter into their own heart, and their bows shall be broken.

ט

16Better is a little that the righteous hath than the abundance of many wicked.

17For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the LORD upholdeth the righteous.

י

18The LORD knoweth the days of the perfect: and their inheritance shall be for ever.

19They shall not be ashamed in the time of evil: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.

כ

20But the wicked shall perish, and the enemies of the LORD shall be as the excellency of the pastures: they shall consume; in smoke shall they consume away.

ל

21The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous dealeth graciously, and giveth.

22For such as be blessed of him shall inherit the land; and they that be cursed of him shall be cut off.

מ

23A man's goings are established of the LORD; and he delighteth in his way.

24Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.

נ

25I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging their bread.

26All the day long he dealeth graciously, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed.

ס

27Depart from evil, and do good; dwell for evermore.

28For the LORD loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.

29The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever.

פ

30The mouth of the righteous talketh of wisdom, and his tongue speaketh judgment.

31The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide.

צ

32The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him.

33The LORD will not leave him in his hand, nor condemn him when he is judged.

ק

34Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.

ר

35I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green tree in its native soil.

36But one passed by, and, lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found.

ש

37Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the latter end of that man is peace.

38As for transgressors, they shall be destroyed together: the latter end of the wicked shall be cut off.

ת

39But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strong hold in the time of trouble.

40And the LORD helpeth them, and rescueth them: he rescueth them from the wicked, and saveth them, because they have taken refuge in him.