Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.
Psalm 37:8 commands ceasing from anger and forsaking wrath, putting away resentment and refusing to let fretting, worry, or distress lead in any way to evil or wrongdoing. It is addressed to those in trial, temptation, pressure, and perplexity, including frustration over another person's success and over thwarted plans when an apparent good is withheld. It is also for those troubled by prospering enemies who devise wicked things and bruise and wound the soul, by those who prosper through wrongdoing, by conflict and unfair demands, and by the troubles met in working with the sick. Evildoers will be cut off, while those who wait on the Lord will inherit the earth.
When an apparent good is withheld, the verse calls for self-examination and patient trust in the Lord rather than acting like a disobedient child. It means fleeing to Christ in every circumstance and cleaving to Jesus as a strong tower where the righteous are safe. It means committing the way to the Lord in living faith in His power rather than personal efficiency and wisdom, resting and waiting patiently for Him to bring forth righteousness and judgment. It means remaining quiet and confident in Him as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land while holding fast to the promises with watching and prayer.
It means forgiving enemies who bruise and wound the soul and vigilantly resisting a fretful, sour, complaining, repining, distrustful spirit that only makes the trial harder. For those working with the sick, it is instruction for living and working with Christ's peace and shining as a light by resting patiently in the Lord. Under pressure, perplexity, conflict, and unfair demands, it means not becoming troubled but remaining patient and trusting, keeping hold of God and waiting for Him to work things out in His time. In trial it warns against taking a rash step, calling instead for trusting God. When trials and temptations come, it teaches not to give way to worry, for the test is permitted but God lives and can strengthen and encourage those who trust in Him.
Psalm 37:8 commands ceasing from anger and forsaking wrath, putting away resentment and refusing to let fretting, worry, or distress lead in any way to evil or wrongdoing. It is addressed to those in trial, temptation, pressure, and perplexity, including frustration over another person's success and over thwarted plans when an apparent good is withheld. It is also for those troubled by prospering enemies who devise wicked things and bruise and wound the soul, by those who prosper through wrongdoing, by conflict and unfair demands, and by the troubles met in working with the sick. Evildoers will be cut off, while those who wait on the Lord will inherit the earth.
When an apparent good is withheld, the verse calls for self-examination and patient trust in the Lord rather than acting like a disobedient child. It means fleeing to Christ in every circumstance and cleaving to Jesus as a strong tower where the righteous are safe. It means committing the way to the Lord in living faith in His power rather than personal efficiency and wisdom, resting and waiting patiently for Him to bring forth righteousness and judgment. It means remaining quiet and confident in Him as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land while holding fast to the promises with watching and prayer.
It means forgiving enemies who bruise and wound the soul and vigilantly resisting a fretful, sour, complaining, repining, distrustful spirit that only makes the trial harder. For those working with the sick, it is instruction for living and working with Christ's peace and shining as a light by resting patiently in the Lord. Under pressure, perplexity, conflict, and unfair demands, it means not becoming troubled but remaining patient and trusting, keeping hold of God and waiting for Him to work things out in His time. In trial it warns against taking a rash step, calling instead for trusting God. When trials and temptations come, it teaches not to give way to worry, for the test is permitted but God lives and can strengthen and encourage those who trust in Him.