Of David.

Don’t worry because of those who act evilly,

don’t envy those who act wrongly.

They will soon wither like the grass

and wilt like a tender green herb.

Trust in Adonai and do what is good.

Live in the land and feast on faithfulness.

Take delight in Adonai

and Adonai will give your heart what it desires.

Pledge your path to Adonai, trust Adonai,

and Adonai will make your righteousness

shine brightly and your vindication

as bright as noon.

Be still and wait patiently for Adonai.

Don’t worry about those who follow their own paths

and are wealthy, or those who carry out evil schemes.

Turn away from anger and give up wrath;

don’t be agitated because only harm comes from it.

For those who are evil will be cut off,

but those who wait on Adonai

will receive their inheritance.

In a short time, the wicked will cease to be,

if you look for them, they will not be found.

Those who are meek shall inherit the land

and delight in abundant peace.

Wicked people plot against the righteous

and bare their teeth at them.

But the Lord simply laughs at the wicked,

because the Lord knows

what will happen to them.

The wicked draw their sword

and bend their bow to harm those

who are poor and needy,

to kill those who act justly.

Yet their swords will puncture their own hearts,

 and their bows will be snapped in two.

It is better to have little like the righteous

than the wealth that many people have,

because the power of the wicked will be smashed,

while Adonai will raise up the righteous.

Adonai watches over all the days

of the blameless, and their inheritance is everlasting.

In times of evil they will not be disgraced,

and in days of hunger, they will be filled.

For the wicked will perish,

they will fade away like smoke,

even if they are as numerous as flowers in a meadow.

Those who are wicked borrow, but don’t repay

while the righteous give generously.

Those the Lord blesses will inherit the land,

but those the Lord curses will be cut off.

If you delight in Adonai’s ways,

Adonai will strengthen your steps.

Even if you stumble, you will not fall

because the Adonai holds your hand.

I once was young and now I’m old

and I have never seen

a righteous person forsaken

or their children beg for bread.

All day long they are gracious and charitable

so their children will be a blessing.

Turn aside from evil ways

and do what is good

so you may live in the land forever.

For Adonai loves those who are just

and does not abandon those who are faithful.

They will be kept safe eternally,

but the seed of the wicked will be destroyed.

Those who are righteous will inherit the land

and live in it for eternity.

Righteous people’s mouths utter wisdom

and their tongues speak justice.

God’s Torah is in their heart. Their steps are firm.

Those who are wicked

lie in wait for the righteous,

intent on killing them.

But Adonai will not leave the righteous

in the hands of the wicked

or let them be condemned when in court.

Wait for Adonai and follow Adonai’s way,

and Adonai will raise you up to inherit the land.

You will watch while the wicked are cut off.

I have observed a wicked, violent person

flourishing like a verdant tree in native soil,

but then in the blink of an eye,

they were no more,

no trace of them could be found,

even though I searched for them.

Pay attention to those who have integrity

and watch those who are upright

because those of shalom have a future.

But those who violate God‘s way

will be completely wiped out

– there will be no future for them.

The salvation of those who are righteous

comes from Adonai.

Adonai is a stronghold in troubling times.

Adonai is their helper and deliverer,

rescuing and saving them from the wicked,

because the righteous take refuge in Adonai.