Psalms 37:8
What does Psalms 37:8 mean?
A plain-English look at Psalms 37:8 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Psalms 37:8 means
David warns against allowing anger and wrath to take root, connecting these destructive emotions directly to the temptation to do evil. When one gives in to irritation or resentment over the prosperity of the wicked, it can quickly lead to sinful thoughts, words, or actions. "Fret not thyself, it tendeth only to evil-doing" emphasizes that such anxieties are not benign but can actively corrupt the heart and propel the individual toward sin. The call is for self-control and trusting God's justice rather than succumbing to emotional traps.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: Fret not thyself, it tendeth only to evil-doing.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: Fret not thyself, it tendeth only to evil-doing.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Put an end to your wrath and be no longer bitter; do not give way to angry feeling which is a cause of sin.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Desist from anger, and forsake fury, Fret not thyself only to do evil.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752For my loins are filled with illusions; and there is no health in my flesh.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; fret not thyself: it [would be] only to do evil.
Context
Building on the repeated warnings against fretting (verses 1, 7), this verse delves deeper into the *consequences* of such anxiety, linking it to sinful anger and wrath. It emphasizes that giving in to fretting is not merely unhelpful but actively leads to evil. This negative warning then leads into a clear differentiation between the ultimate destinies of the righteous and the wicked, beginning to solidify the psalm's central message of divine justice.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Ephesians 4:26
Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
- 1 Samuel 25:21
Now David had said, Surely in vain have I kept all that this fellow hath in the wilderness, so that nothing was missed of all that pertained unto him: and he hath returned me evil for good.
- Job 18:4
Thou that tearest thyself in thine anger, Shall the earth be forsaken for thee? Or shall the rock be removed out of its place?
- Job 5:2
For vexation killeth the foolish man, And jealousy slayeth the silly one.
- James 3:14
But if ye have bitter jealousy and faction in your heart, glory not and lie not against the truth.
- Luke 9:54
And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we bid fire to come down from heaven, and consume them?
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