Psalms 37:7-9

37:7 Wait patiently for the Lord! ¹ 

Wait confidently ²  for him!

Do not fret over the apparent success of a sinner, ³ 

a man who carries out wicked schemes!

37:8 Do not be angry and frustrated! ⁴ 

Do not fret! That only leads to trouble!

37:9 Wicked men ⁵  will be wiped out, ⁶ 

but those who rely on the Lord are the ones who will possess the land. ⁷ 

[37:7]  ¹ tn Heb “Be quiet before the Lord!”

[37:7]  ² 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]  ³ tn Heb “over one who causes his way to be successful.”

[37:8]  ⁴ tn Heb “Refrain from anger! Abandon rage!”

[37:9]  ⁷ tn Heb “for evil men.” The conjunction כִּי (ki, “for”) relates to the exhortations in v. 8; there is no reason to be frustrated, for the evildoers will be punished in due time.

[37:9]  ⁸ tn Or “cut off, removed.”

[37:9]  ⁹ tn Heb “and those who wait on the Lord, they will possess the land.”