Psalms of David 37
37
Noli æmulari.
Psalm XXXVII.
W. W.
1Grudge not to see the wicked men
in wealth to flourish still:
Nor yet envy such as to ill
have bent and set their will.
2For as green grass and the green herbs
are cut and wither away:
So shall their great prosperity
soon pass, fade and decay.
3Trust thou therefore in God alone,
to do well give thy mind:
So shalt thou have the land as thine,
and there sure food shalt find:
4In God set all thy hearts delight,
and look what thou would’st have,
Or else canst wish in all the world,
thou needst it not to crave.
5Cast both thy self and thine affairs
on God with perfect trust,
And thou shalt see with patience
th’ effect both sure and just.
6Thy perfect life and godly name
he will clear as the light:
So that the sun even at noon day,
shall not shine half so bright.
7Be still therefore, and stedfastly
on God see thou wait then,
Not shrinking for the prosp’rous state
of leud and wicked men.
8Shake off despite, envy and hate,
let not thine anger rise:
That thou maist not be drawn into
some wicked enterprise:
9For every wicked man will God
destroy both more and less:
But such as trust in him are sure
the land for to possess.
10Wait but a while, and thou shalt see
no more the wicked train,
No not so much as house or place
where once he did remain.
The Second Part.
11But merciful and humble men
enjoy shall sea and land:
In rest and peace they shall rejoice,
for nought shall them withstand.
12The leud men and malicious
against the just conspire:
They gnash their teeth at him, as men
which do his bane desire.
13But while ungodly men thus think,
the Lord laughs them to scorn:
For he doth see their term approach,
when they shall sigh and mourn.
14The wicked have their sword outdrawn,
their bow also is bent,
To overthrow and kill the poor,
whose life is innocent.
15But the same sword shall pierce their heart
which was to kill the just:
So shall the bow in shivers break
wherein they put their trust.
16Doubtless the just man’s poor Estate
is to be valu’d more
Than all the leud and wicked mans
rich pomp and heaped store.
17For though their power be most strong,
God will it overthrow:
Where contrary he doth preserve
the humble men and low:
18He sees by his great providence
the good man’s trade and way:
And will give them inheritance
which never shall decay.
19They shall not be discouraged,
when some are hard bestead
When others shall be hunger bit,
they shall be clad and fed.
20For whosoever wicked is,
and Enemy to God,
Shall like the fat of Lambs consume,
or smoak that flies abroad.
The Third Part.
21Behold the wicked borrows much,
and never pays again:
Whereas the just by lib’ral gifts
the needy doth sustain.
22For they whom God doth bless shall have
the land for heritage:
And they whom he doth curse, likewise
shall perish in his rage.
23The Lord, the Just man’s step doth guide
and all his ways doth bless:
To every thing he takes in hand
he giveth good success.
24Though he do fall, yet is he sure
not utterly to sink:
For God upholds him with his hand,
and from him will not shrink.
25I have been young but now am old,
they did I never see
The just man left, nor yet his seed
to beg for misery
26He gives always most lib’rally,
and lends where there is need:
By which he doth from God secure
a blessing to his seed.
27Flee vice therefore and wickedness,
and virtue do embrace
So God shall grant thee long to have
on earth a dwelling place,
28For God so loveth equity,
and shews to his such grace,
That he preserveth them, but doth
cut off the wicked race.
29Whereas the good and godly men,
inherit shall the land,
Having as lords all things therein
in their own pow’r and hand.
30The just man’s mouth doth ever speak
of matters wise and high:
His tongue doth talk of judgment, and
of truth and equity.
31For in his heart the law of God
his lord doth still abide:
So that where‐ever he doth go
his foot shall never slide.
32The wicked like a greedy wolf
the just man doth beset,
By all means seeking him to kill,
and take him in his net.
The Fourth Part.
33But though he fall into his hands,
yet God will succour send:
Though men against him sentence give,
God will him yet defend.
34Wait thou on God, and keep his way,
he shall preserve thee then
The earth to rule, and thou shalt see
destroy’d these wicked men.
35The wicked have I seen most strong,
and plac’d in high degree,
Flourishing in all wealth and store,
as doth the laurel‐tree.
36But suddenly he pass’d away,
and lo he was quite gone:
Then I him sought, but could not find
the place, where dwelt such one.
37Mark and behold the perfect man,
how God doth him encrease:
For the just man shall have at length
great joy with rest and peace.
38As for transgressors, woe to them,
destroy’d they all shall be:
God will cut off their budding race
and rich posterity.
39But the salvation of the just
doth come from God above,
Who in their trouble sends them aid,
of his meer grace and love.
40God evermore delivers them
from lewd men and unjust:
And still will save them whilst that they
in him do put their trust.
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Psalms of David 37: MP1562
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First published in England in 1562.
