Psalms 37:5-7

37:5 Commit your future to the Lord! ¹ 

Trust in him, and he will act on your behalf. ² 

37:6 He will vindicate you in broad daylight,

and publicly defend your just cause. ³ 

37:7 Wait patiently for the Lord! ⁴ 

Wait confidently ⁵  for him!

Do not fret over the apparent success of a sinner, ⁶ 

a man who carries out wicked schemes!

[37:5]  ¹ tn Heb “roll your way upon the Lord.” The noun “way” may refer here to one’s activities or course of life.

[37:5]  ² tn Heb “he will act.” Verse 6 explains what is meant; the Lord will vindicate those who trust in him.

[37:6]  ³ tn Heb “and he will bring out like light your vindication, and your just cause like noonday.”

[37:7]  ⁴ tn Heb “Be quiet before the Lord!”

[37:7]  ⁵ tc The Hebrew text has וְהִתְחוֹלֵל (vÿhitkholel, Hitpolel of חִיל, khil, “writhe with fear, suffer”) but this idea fits awkwardly here. The text should be changed to וְתוֹחֵל (vÿtokhel; 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, yÿhvah) and (2) the final lamed (ל) is accidentally repeated (note the preceding lamed and the initial lamed on the following form, לו).

[37:7]  ⁶ tn Heb “over one who causes his way to be successful.”