Psalm 37:8

Translations

Modern

Refrain from anger and abandon wrath; do not fret—it can only bring harm.

Traditional

Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.

Literal

Cease from anger, and leave behind wrath; you should not burn—it only causes harm.

Latin

Desine ab ira, et derelinque furorem; noli æmulari ut maligneris.

Original

Hebrew

English

Refrain from anger and abandon wrath; do not fret—it can only bring harm.

Notes

Psalms 37:8

Irritability and anger can quickly damage a person’s character.

When someone becomes easily upset or angry, it affects the way that person thinks and acts. Over time, this can weaken good habits and harm relationships.

Learning patience and self-control helps protect and strengthen character.

Psalms 37:1–9

The wise respond to evil by trusting in the Lord. Trust has five parts:

Do not become irritated or jealous of those who do evil (Psalm 37:1–2).
Delight in the Lord (Psalm 37:3–4).
Submit to the Lord (Psalm 37:5–6).
Practice patience in hope (Psalm 37:7).
Avoid anger (Psalm 37:8–9).

Psalms 37:1–40

This psalm addresses the issues raised in Psalm 36:

How should the godly react to evil?
When will the Lord bring justice?
Why does he allow the wicked to harm his creation?

Psalm 37 provides clear answers that reduce the tensions of life (Psalm 37:1–9, 34) and promise that the meek will have a future (Psalm 37:10–11, 39–40).

The contrast between the godly and the wicked highlights the uselessness of foolishness (Psalm 37:12–24, 27–33). The psalmist's personal insights add a human element (Psalm 37:25–26, 35–38). He encourages viewing the land's inheritance with a long-term perspective: The earth belongs to the Lord, who will give it to those he blesses—the humble and godly who trust, hope, and follow him (see Psalm 37:9, 11, 22, 29, 34; see also Isaiah 57:13; Matthew 5:5).

Theme notes and profiles

David Anger Trusting God in the Psalms Wisdom Psalms

Related verses

Proverbs 14:29
A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man promotes folly.
Proverbs 16:32
He who is slow to anger is better than a warrior, and he who controls his temper is greater than one who captures a city.
James 1:19–20
My beloved brothers, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger,
Ephesians 4:31
Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, outcry and slander, along with every form of malice.
James 3:14–18
But if you harbor bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast in it or deny the truth.
Ephesians 4:26
“Be angry, yet do not sin.” Do not let the sun set upon your anger,
Job 5:2
For resentment kills a fool, and envy slays the simple.
Colossians 3:8
But now you must put aside all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.
Job 18:4
You who tear yourself in anger—should the earth be forsaken on your account, or the rocks be moved from their place?
Jonah 4:1
Jonah, however, was greatly displeased, and he became angry.
1 Samuel 25:21–23
Now David had just said, “In vain I have protected all that belonged to this man in the wilderness. Nothing that belongs to him has gone missing, yet he has paid me back evil for good.
Jonah 4:9
Then God asked Jonah, “Have you any right to be angry about the plant?” “I do,” he replied. “I am angry enough to die!”

Psalm 37:8

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