Psalms 37:1
Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.
Main message
Psalm 37:1: Do not burn with envy because of evildoers or copy those who practice injustice; the command redirects corrosive comparison without denying real anger at abuse or wrongdoing.
Meaning in context
Psalm 37:1–6 · Do not fret; trust, delight, and commit — Verses 1–6 redirect envy of evildoers toward trust in the LORD, doing good, delight, committed action, and confidence that God will bring justice to light.
Do not burn with envy because of evildoers or copy those who practice injustice; the command redirects corrosive comparison without denying real anger at abuse or wrongdoing.
Further teachings
Do not fret; trust, delight, and commit
Do not burn with envy because of evildoers or copy those who practice injustice; the command redirects corrosive comparison without denying real anger at abuse or wrongdoing.
Cross References: Psalm 37:1 — Psalm 37:1–6.
Applications in daily life
- 1
Psalm 37:1
Do not burn with envy because of evildoers or copy those who practice injustice; the command redirects corrosive comparison without denying real anger at abuse or wrongdoing.
Do not use “do not fret” to silence justified concern, grief, anger at abuse, whistleblowing, protest, or lawful pursuit of justice.
Related Bible passages and resources
- Psalm 37 (full chapter)
Psalm 37 is an alphabetic wisdom psalm that teaches how to live when wrongdoers appear to flourish. It repeatedly turns the reader from envy, anger, and retaliation toward trust, doing good, patient waiting, generosity, and confidence that God sees the difference between violent injustice and faithful life. Its promises about land, provision, guidance, and deliverance belong to wisdom and covenant poetry and must not be turned into mechanical guarantees of wealth, property, health, or immediate safety. The ending places salvation and refuge in the LORD rather than in private vengeance or superiority over enemies.
- Psalm 37:2
Continue with the next verse to preserve the movement.
- Study the Book of Psalms
Keep this verse within Psalm 37’s wisdom contrast between temporary wrongdoing and a life of trust, justice, generosity, patience, and refuge in the LORD.
Common misreadings
Do not use “do not fret” to silence justified concern, grief, anger at abuse, whistleblowing, protest, or lawful pursuit of justice.
Do not burn with envy because of evildoers or copy those who practice injustice; the command redirects corrosive comparison without denying real anger at abuse or wrongdoing.
Related Verses
- Psalms 73:2
“But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped.”
- Psalms 73:3
“For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.”
- Psalms 73:17
“Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.”
- Psalms 73:25
“Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.”
- Psalms 73:26
“My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.”
Related Topics
Related Life Situations
Promises and Prayers Connected to This Verse
Divine Promises
- God Is My Portion Forever
Prayer Points
- Releasing the Comparison — Psalm 73 Prayer
How to Apply Psalms 37:1
Meditate on Psalms 37:1 by reading it aloud each morning this week. Ask yourself how its message on the theme of Envy in the Bible applies to a current challenge you are facing. Write one specific step you will take today in response to its truth — and revisit that commitment at the end of the week.
Sources & Method
Biblical text
Commentary anchored in the public-domain Psalm 37 text used by the site.
- Author:
- The Lord Will Editorial Team
- Reviewed by:
- Ugo Candido
- Last updated:
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