Mazmur 37:3

37:3 Trust in the Lord and do what is right!

Settle in the land and maintain your integrity! ¹ 

Mazmur 37:7

37:7 Wait patiently for the Lord! ² 

Wait confidently ³  for him!

Do not fret over the apparent success of a sinner, ⁴ 

a man who carries out wicked schemes!

Mazmur 37:9

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 

[37:3]  ¹ tn Heb “tend integrity.” The verb רָעָה (ra’ah, “tend, shepherd”) is probably used here in the sense of “watch over, guard.” The noun אֱמוּנָה (’emunah, “faithfulness, honesty, integrity”) is understood as the direct object of the verb, though it could be taken as an adverbial accusative, “[feed] securely,” if the audience is likened to a flock of sheep.

[37:7]  ² tn Heb “Be quiet before the Lord!”

[37:7]  ³ 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]  ⁴ tn Heb “over one who causes his way to be successful.”

[37:9]  ⁵ 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]  ⁶ tn Or “cut off, removed.”

[37:9]  ⁷ tn Heb “and those who wait on the Lord, they will possess the land.”