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Mizmor 037 – A Tapestry of Enlightenment
(ื) ืœึฐื“ึธื•ึดื“ ืึทืœ ืชึดึผืชึฐื—ึทืจ ื‘ึทึผืžึฐึผืจึตืขึดื™ื ืึทืœ ืชึฐึผืงึทื ึตึผื ื‘ึฐึผืขึนืฉึตื‚ื™ ืขึทื•ึฐืœึธื”:
(1) By David. Donโ€™t be disturbed by bad people. Donโ€™t be envious of wrongdoers.
NOTE: For a PDF of this mizmor, please click here. This will enable you to print out the entire text of the article. [Rev 6]
Key Concepts of Mizmor 037 – A Tapestry of Enlightenment
The mizmor is effectively a continuation of mizmor 036 in which David contrasted the righteous servant of Hashem with the evildoer. Now he begins mizmor 037 with specific guidance to help those listening to his song to avoid being influenced by the bad people around them. This is a matter of special concern when the evildoers are enjoying power and prosperity. David assures his listeners that the success of the evildoers is only temporary. It is only the righteous who will be blessed with true and lasting happiness.
Exploring the Mizmor
The mizmor is structured as an elaborate song of enlightenment. The pesukim of the mizmor follow an alphabetical arrangement, generally based on every second posuk. To appreciate this mizmor it is helpful to realize that the mizmor is based on two principle themes. These are: (1) avoiding the influence of evil men and (2) living with bitachon.
Furthermore, each of these two principle concepts depends upon a supporting concept: (1) The evildoers and their prosperity wonโ€™t last. (2) Your future and that of your descendants will be blessed.
These four themes are interwoven throughout the rest of the mizmor like the threads of a tapestry. Each time David picks up a thread he brings it to the fore and relates it to the other threads in a different way, so as to create a meaningful and integrated whole.
The mizmor has ten major parts which are identified here. The alphabetical key letters associated with each part are highlighted in the Learning the Mizmor section below.
PART 1. RESIST EVIL. Donโ€™t be influenced by the prosperity of evildoers; they and their prosperity wonโ€™t last.
(ื) ืœึฐื“ึธื•ึดื“ ืึทืœ ืชึดึผืชึฐื—ึทืจ ื‘ึทึผืžึฐึผืจึตืขึดื™ื ืึทืœ ืชึฐึผืงึทื ึตึผื ื‘ึฐึผืขึนืฉึตื‚ื™ ืขึทื•ึฐืœึธื”: (ื‘) ื›ึดึผื™ ื›ึถื—ึธืฆึดื™ืจ ืžึฐื”ึตืจึธื” ื™ึดืžึธึผืœื•ึผ ื•ึผื›ึฐื™ึถืจึถืง ื“ึถึผืฉึถืื ื™ึดื‘ึผื•ึนืœื•ึผืŸ:
(1) By David. Donโ€™t be disturbed by bad people. Donโ€™t be envious of wrongdoers. (2) For like grass they will be quickly cut down. Like vegetation they will wither.
PART 2. TRUST IN HASHEM. Maintain your trust in Hashem despite difficulties; you will be rewarded with security and happiness. Turn your burdens over to Hashem and donโ€™t agonize over whatever difficulties you encounter in life. You can be sure that He will do whatever is right for the situation you are in. Donโ€™t let the difficulties you encounter make you impatient. Especially, donโ€™t let yourself be disturbed by the prosperity of the evildoer.
(ื’) ื‘ึฐึผื˜ึทื— ื‘ึทึผื”’ ื•ึทืขึฒืฉึตื‚ื” ื˜ื•ึนื‘ ืฉึฐืื›ึธืŸ ืึถืจึถืฅ ื•ึผืจึฐืขึตื” ืึฑืžื•ึผื ึธื”: (ื“) ื•ึฐื”ึดืชึฐืขึทื ึทึผื’ ืขึทืœ ื”’ ื•ึฐื™ึดืชึถึผืŸ ืœึฐืšึธ ืžึดืฉึฐืืึฒืœึนืช ืœึดื‘ึถึผืšึธ: (ื”) ื’ึผื•ึนืœ ืขึทืœ ื”’ ื“ึทึผืจึฐื›ึถึผืšึธ ื•ึผื‘ึฐื˜ึทื— ืขึธืœึธื™ื• ื•ึฐื”ื•ึผื ื™ึทืขึฒืฉึถื‚ื”: (ื•) ื•ึฐื”ื•ึนืฆึดื™ื ื›ึธืื•ึนืจ ืฆึดื“ึฐืงึถืšึธ ื•ึผืžึดืฉึฐืืคึธึผื˜ึถืšึธ ื›ึทึผืฆึธึผื”ึณืจึธื™ึดื: (ื–) ื“ึผื•ึนื ืœึทื”’ ื•ึฐื”ึดืชึฐื—ื•ึนืœึตืœ ืœื•ึน ืึทืœ ืชึดึผืชึฐื—ึทืจ ื‘ึฐึผืžึทืฆึฐืœึดื™ื—ึท ื“ึทึผืจึฐื›ึผื•ึน ื‘ึฐึผืึดื™ืฉื ืขึนืฉึถื‚ื” ืžึฐื–ึดืžึผื•ึนืช:
(3) Trust in Hashem and do good. Dwell in the land and nourish [your] faith. (4) Delight in Hashem. He will grant you the desires of your heart. (5) Turn over to Hashem [the burdens] of your road [in life]. Rely on Him for He will act. (6) He will bring to the fore your righteousness as light and the opinion of [men] as the noonday sun. (7) Wait patiently for Hashem and entrust yourself to him. Donโ€™t let yourself be disturbed at a man who prospers, a man who develops devious schemes.
PART 3. OVERCOME RESENTMENT. Throw away your feelings of resentment at your own misfortune and the prosperity of others. You will only harm yourself. After all, the prosperity of the evildoers is only temporary. Hold on just a little bit longer. The evildoers will soon be gone. Then the humble will inherit the earth.
(ื—) ื”ึถืจึถืฃ ืžึตืึทืฃ ื•ึทืขึฒื–ึนื‘ ื—ึตืžึธื” ืึทืœ ืชึดึผืชึฐื—ึทืจ ืึทืšึฐ ืœึฐื”ึธืจึตืขึท: (ื˜) ื›ึดึผื™ ืžึฐืจึตืขึดื™ื ื™ึดื›ึธึผืจึตืชื•ึผืŸ ื•ึฐืงึนื•ึตื™ ื”’ ื”ึตืžึธึผื” ื™ึดื™ืจึฐืฉืื•ึผ ืึธืจึถืฅ: (ื™) ื•ึฐืขื•ึนื“ ืžึฐืขึทื˜ ื•ึฐืึตื™ืŸ ืจึธืฉึธืืข ื•ึฐื”ึดืชึฐื‘ึผื•ึนื ึทื ึฐืชึธึผ ืขึทืœ ืžึฐืงื•ึนืžื•ึน ื•ึฐืึตื™ื ึถื ึผื•ึผ: (ื™ื) ื•ึทืขึฒื ึธื•ึดื™ื ื™ึดื™ืจึฐืฉืื•ึผ ืึธืจึถืฅ ื•ึฐื”ึดืชึฐืขึทื ึฐึผื’ื•ึผ ืขึทืœ ืจึนื‘ ืฉึธืืœื•ึนื:
(8) Let go of anger and forsake resentment. Donโ€™t let yourself be disturbed, for [such feelings] bring only harm. (9) For the evildoers will be cut off, but those who place their hope with Hashem will inherit the earth. (10) Just a little longer, and there will be no evildoer [left]. You will look at his place and he will not be there. (11) The humble will inherit the earth. They will delight in abundant peace.
PART 4. EVILDOERS HAVE NO FUTURE. The evildoers cannot prevail because they are victims of their own scheming. The weapons with which the evildoers hope to harm the innocent will be turned against the perpetrators. Donโ€™t be fooled by the apparent prosperity of the evildoers. It is of less value than the little which the righteous possess.
(ื™ื‘) ื–ึนืžึตื ืจึธืฉึธืืข ืœึทืฆึทึผื“ึดึผื™ืง ื•ึฐื—ึนืจึตืง ืขึธืœึธื™ื• ืฉึดืื ึธึผื™ื•: (ื™ื’) ืึฒื“ึนึพื ึธื™ ื™ึดืฉึฐื‚ื—ึทืง ืœื•ึน ื›ึดึผื™ ืจึธืึธื” ื›ึดึผื™ ื™ึธื‘ึนื ื™ื•ึนืžื•ึน: (ื™ื“) ื—ึถืจึถื‘ ืคึธึผืชึฐื—ื•ึผ ืจึฐืฉึธืืขึดื™ื ื•ึฐื“ึธืจึฐื›ื•ึผ ืงึทืฉึฐืืชึธึผื ืœึฐื”ึทืคึดึผื™ืœ ืขึธื ึดื™ ื•ึฐืึถื‘ึฐื™ื•ึนืŸ ืœึดื˜ึฐื‘ื•ึนื—ึท ื™ึดืฉึฐืืจึตื™ ื“ึธืจึถืšึฐ: (ื˜ื•) ื—ึทืจึฐื‘ึธึผื ืชึธึผื‘ื•ึนื ื‘ึฐืœึดื‘ึธึผื ื•ึฐืงึทืฉึฐึผืืชื•ึนืชึธื ืชึดึผืฉึธึผืื‘ึทืจึฐื ึธื”: (ื˜ื–) ื˜ื•ึนื‘ ืžึฐืขึทื˜ ืœึทืฆึทึผื“ึดึผื™ืง ืžึตื”ึฒืžื•ึนืŸ ืจึฐืฉึธืืขึดื™ื ืจึทื‘ึดึผื™ื: (ื™ื–) ื›ึดึผื™ ื–ึฐืจื•ึนืขื•ึนืช ืจึฐืฉึธืืขึดื™ื ืชึดึผืฉึธึผืื‘ึทืจึฐื ึธื” ื•ึฐืกื•ึนืžึตืšึฐ ืฆึทื“ึดึผื™ืงึดื™ื ื”’:
(12) The evildoer concocts schemes against the righteous person and [confidently] gnashes his teeth at him. (13) Hashem laughs at [the evildoer] for Hashem sees that the day of his downfall is coming. (14) The evildoers draw their sword and bend their bows to bring down the poor and the destitute, to slaughter those whose way is straight. (15) Their sword will pierce their own heart, and their bows will be broken. (16) The little [possessed by] the righteous is better than the great abundance of the evildoers. (17) For the arms of the evildoers will be broken but Hashem supports the righteous.
PART 5. A STARK CONTRAST. Hashem welcomes the devotion of the righteous and will provide for their well-being. But in contrast to the future well-being of the righteous, the evildoers will vanish like smoke. They will fail because they seek only to take from the world. In contrast, the righteous will succeed because their nature is to give to the world.
(ื™ื—) ื™ื•ึนื“ึตืขึท ื”’ ื™ึฐืžึตื™ ืชึฐืžึดื™ืžึดื ื•ึฐื ึทื—ึฒืœึธืชึธื ืœึฐืขื•ึนืœึธื ืชึดึผื”ึฐื™ึถื”: (ื™ื˜) ืœึนื ื™ึตื‘ึนืฉืื•ึผ ื‘ึฐึผืขึตืช ืจึธืขึธื” ื•ึผื‘ึดื™ืžึตื™ ืจึฐืขึธื‘ื•ึนืŸ ื™ึดืฉึฐื‚ื‘ึธึผืขื•ึผ: (ื›) ื›ึดึผื™ ืจึฐืฉึธืืขึดื™ื ื™ึนืื‘ึตื“ื•ึผ ื•ึฐืึนื™ึฐื‘ึตื™ ื”’ ื›ึดึผื™ืงึทืจ ื›ึธึผืจึดื™ื ื›ึธึผืœื•ึผ ื‘ึถืขึธืฉึธืืŸ ื›ึธึผืœื•ึผ: (ื›ื) ืœึนื•ึถื” ืจึธืฉึธืืข ื•ึฐืœึนื ื™ึฐืฉึทืืœึตึผื ื•ึฐืฆึทื“ึดึผื™ืง ื—ื•ึนื ึตืŸ ื•ึฐื ื•ึนืชึตืŸ: (ื›ื‘) ื›ึดึผื™ ืžึฐื‘ึนืจึธื›ึธื™ื• ื™ึดื™ืจึฐืฉืื•ึผ ืึธืจึถืฅ ื•ึผืžึฐืงึปืœึธึผืœึธื™ื• ื™ึดื›ึธึผืจึตืชื•ึผ:
(18) Hashem knows the days of the people who are wholly committed. Their inheritance will be for eternity. (19) They will not be shamed in time of calamity. And in time of famine they will have their fill. (20) But the evildoers will perish and the enemies of Hashem will be utterly consumed like the fat of [sacrificial] lambs. Gone up in smoke! (21) The evildoer borrows but does not repay, but the righteous person is a benefactor and a giver. (22) For [Hashemโ€™s] blessed ones will inherit the earth, while His accursed ones, the evildoers, will be cut off.
PART 6. THE BLESSING OF THE RIGHTEOUS. Donโ€™t think that the righteous man is at a disadvantage. After all, Hashem is always there to support him. Even in hard times the righteous man can rely upon Hashem to provide his basic needs and that blessing will carry through to his descendants.
(ื›ื’) ืžึตื”’ ืžึดืฆึฐืขึฒื“ึตื™ ื’ึถื‘ึถืจ ื›ึผื•ึนื ึธื ื•ึผ ื•ึฐื“ึทืจึฐื›ึผื•ึน ื™ึถื—ึฐืคึธึผืฅ: (ื›ื“) ื›ึดึผื™ ื™ึดืคึนึผืœ ืœึนื ื™ื•ึผื˜ึธืœ ื›ึดึผื™ ื”’ ืกื•ึนืžึตืšึฐ ื™ึธื“ื•ึน: (ื›ื”) ื ึทืขึทืจ ื”ึธื™ึดื™ืชึดื™ ื’ึทึผื ื–ึธืงึทื ึฐืชึดึผื™ ื•ึฐืœึนื ืจึธืึดื™ืชึดื™ ืฆึทื“ึดึผื™ืง ื ึถืขึฑื–ึธื‘ ื•ึฐื–ึทืจึฐืขื•ึน ืžึฐื‘ึทืงึถึผืฉื ืœึธื—ึถื: (ื›ื•) ื›ึธึผืœ ื”ึทื™ึผื•ึนื ื—ื•ึนื ึตืŸ ื•ึผืžึทืœึฐื•ึถื” ื•ึฐื–ึทืจึฐืขื•ึน ืœึดื‘ึฐืจึธื›ึธื”:
(23) From Hashem the righteous manโ€™s footsteps are made firm and Hashem is pleased with his way. (24) If he should fall, he will not be completely brought down for Hashem supports his hand. (25) I was young and I have grown old. Yet I have never seen a righteous man abandoned. Nor, have I seen his offspring begging for bread. (26) Every day [the righteous man] is generous and lends [to the needy]. And his children are a blessing.
PART 7. THE RIGHT WAY. The righteous man should hold fast to his principles despite current conditions which can be misleading. In fact, the righteous man can look forward to a fulfilled life.
(ื›ื–) ืกื•ึผืจ ืžึตืจึธืข ื•ึทืขึฒืฉึตื‚ื” ื˜ื•ึนื‘ ื•ึผืฉึฐืื›ึนืŸ ืœึฐืขื•ึนืœึธื: (ื›ื—) ื›ึดึผื™ ื”’ ืึนื”ึตื‘ ืžึดืฉึฐืืคึธึผื˜ ื•ึฐืœึนื ื™ึทืขึฒื–ึนื‘ ืึถืช ื—ึฒืกึดื™ื“ึธื™ื• ืœึฐืขื•ึนืœึธื ื ึดืฉึฐืืžึธืจื•ึผ ื•ึฐื–ึถืจึทืข ืจึฐืฉึธืืขึดื™ื ื ึดื›ึฐืจึธืช: (ื›ื˜) ืฆึทื“ึดึผื™ืงึดื™ื ื™ึดื™ืจึฐืฉืื•ึผ ืึธืจึถืฅ ื•ึฐื™ึดืฉึฐืื›ึฐึผื ื•ึผ ืœึธืขึทื“ ืขึธืœึถื™ื”ึธ: (ืœ) ืคึดึผื™ ืฆึทื“ึดึผื™ืง ื™ึถื”ึฐื’ึถึผื” ื—ึธื›ึฐืžึธื” ื•ึผืœึฐืฉืื•ึนื ื•ึน ืชึฐึผื“ึทื‘ึตึผืจ ืžึดืฉึฐืืคึธึผื˜: (ืœื) ืชึผื•ึนืจึทืช ืึฑืœึนืงึธื™ื• ื‘ึฐึผืœึดื‘ึผื•ึน ืœึนื ืชึดืžึฐืขึทื“ ืึฒืฉึปืืจึธื™ื•:
(27) Turn away from evil and do good. You will then live [in peace] all your life. (28) For Hashem loves justice And He will not forsake His devout ones. They will always be protected, but the offspring of the evildoers, will be cut off. (29) The righteous will inherit the earth and dwell forever upon it. (30) The mouth of the righteous man utters wisdom and his tongue speaks justice. (31) The Torah of his G-d is in his heart. His footsteps do not slide away.
Navigating Tehillim. The two primary themes of Mizmor 037 can be summarized as โ€œturn away from evil and do goodโ€ (posuk 27), which is also the conceptual basis for the first perek of Tehillim. Turning away from evil implies avoiding the influence of bad people. Doing good implies trusting in Hashem and acting as He wants us to.
PART 8. PROTECTION FROM EVIL. The good life of the righteous man will not be marred by his enemies because Hashem protects the righteous man from the harm that the evildoer plots against him.
(ืœื‘) ืฆื•ึนืคึถื” ืจึธืฉึธืืข ืœึทืฆึทึผื“ึดึผื™ืง ื•ึผืžึฐื‘ึทืงึตึผืฉื ืœึทื”ึฒืžึดื™ืชื•ึน: (ืœื’) ื”’ ืœึนื ื™ึทืขึทื–ึฐื‘ึถื ึผื•ึผ ื‘ึฐื™ึธื“ื•ึน ื•ึฐืœึนื ื™ึทืจึฐืฉึดืื™ืขึถื ึผื•ึผ ื‘ึฐึผื”ึดืฉึธึผืืคึฐื˜ื•ึน:
(32) The evildoer watches for the righteous and he seeks to have him put to death. (33) Hashem will not abandon him under [the evildoerโ€™s] hand. Nor will He let [the righteous man] be [unjustly] condemned when he is judged.
PART 9. DESTINY. Take to heart everything that I have said. I myself have seen the downfall of a noteworthy evildoer. You, dear listener, will also have the opportunity to observe how the righteous are rewarded, whereas the future of the evildoers has already been cut off.
(ืœื“) ืงึทื•ึตึผื” ืึถืœ ื”’ ื•ึผืฉึฐืืžึนืจ ื“ึทึผืจึฐื›ึผื•ึน ื•ึดื™ืจื•ึนืžึดืžึฐืšึธ ืœึธืจึถืฉึถืืช ืึธืจึถืฅ ื‘ึฐึผื”ึดื›ึธึผืจึตืช ืจึฐืฉึธืืขึดื™ื ืชึดึผืจึฐืึถื”: (ืœื”) ืจึธืึดื™ืชึดื™ ืจึธืฉึธืืข ืขึธืจึดื™ืฅ ื•ึผืžึดืชึฐืขึธืจึถื” ื›ึฐึผืึถื–ึฐืจึธื— ืจึทืขึฒื ึธืŸ: (ืœื•) ื•ึทื™ึทึผืขึฒื‘ึนืจ ื•ึฐื”ึดื ึตึผื” ืึตื™ื ึถื ึผื•ึผ ื•ึธืึฒื‘ึทืงึฐืฉึตืื”ื•ึผ ื•ึฐืœึนื ื ึดืžึฐืฆึธื: (ืœื–) ืฉึฐืืžึธืจ ืชึธึผื ื•ึผืจึฐืึตื” ื™ึธืฉึธืืจ ื›ึดึผื™ ืึทื—ึฒืจึดื™ืช ืœึฐืึดื™ืฉื ืฉึธืืœื•ึนื: (ืœื—) ื•ึผืคึนืฉึฐืืขึดื™ื ื ึดืฉึฐืืžึฐื“ื•ึผ ื™ึทื—ึฐื“ึธึผื• ืึทื—ึฒืจึดื™ืช ืจึฐืฉึธืืขึดื™ื ื ึดื›ึฐืจึธืชึธื”:
(34) Hope to Hashem and keep to His way. For He will raise you high to inherit the earth and you will witness the destruction of the evildoers. (35) I saw a powerful, wealthy evildoer solidly rooted in his community like an ancient flourishing tree. (36) But he passed on, and when I lookedโ€” he was no more! I searched for him, but he could no longer be found. (37) Observe the man of moral purity and watch the upright man. There is a [bright] destiny for the man of peace. (38) But, the transgressors have been destroyed together. The future of the evildoers has already been be cut off.
PART 10. CONCLUSION. You can be assured that Hashem will grant a yeshuah to those who put their trust in Him.
(ืœื˜) ื•ึผืชึฐืฉืื•ึผืขึทืช ืฆึทื“ึดึผื™ืงึดื™ื ืžึตื”’ ืžึธืขื•ึผื–ึธึผื ื‘ึฐึผืขึตืช ืฆึธืจึธื”:(ืž) ื•ึทื™ึทึผืขึฐื–ึฐืจึตื ื”’ ื•ึทื™ึฐืคึทืœึฐึผื˜ึตื ื™ึฐืคึทืœึฐึผื˜ึตื ืžึตืจึฐืฉึธืืขึดื™ื ื•ึฐื™ื•ึนืฉึดืื™ืขึตื ื›ึดึผื™ ื—ึธืกื•ึผ ื‘ื•ึน:
(39) The yeshuah of the righteous is from Hashem, their stronghold in time of distress. (40) Hashem helped them and He freed them. He will free them from the threat of harm by the evildoers. And He will grant them a life of yeshuah for they have put their trust in Him.
Learning the Mizmor
PART 1. RESIST EVIL
(ื) ืœึฐื“ึธื•ึดื“ 
ืึทืœ ืชึดึผืชึฐื—ึทืจ ื‘ึทึผืžึฐึผืจึตืขึดื™ื 
ืึทืœ ืชึฐึผืงึทื ึตึผื ื‘ึฐึผืขึนืฉึตื‚ื™ ืขึทื•ึฐืœึธื”:
This is a mizmor by David โ€” ืœึฐื“ึธื•ึดื“ . Donโ€™t be disturbed by the seeming good fortune of bad people โ€” ืึทืœ ืชึดึผืชึฐื—ึทืจ ื‘ึทึผืžึฐึผืจึตืขึดื™ื . Donโ€™t let yourself be tempted to associate with them and emulate them. Donโ€™t be envious โ€” ืึทืœ ืชึฐึผืงึทื ึตึผื โ€“ of the successes of wrongdoers โ€” ื‘ึฐึผืขึนืฉึตื‚ื™ ืขึทื•ึฐืœึธื” , thinking that you might want to be like them.
(ื‘) ื›ึดึผื™ ื›ึถื—ึธืฆึดื™ืจ ืžึฐื”ึตืจึธื” ื™ึดืžึธึผืœื•ึผ 
ื•ึผื›ึฐื™ึถืจึถืง ื“ึถึผืฉึถืื ื™ึดื‘ึผื•ึนืœื•ึผืŸ:
Donโ€™t let them affect you for โ€” ื›ึดึผื™ they and their successes will soon come to an end. They are like meadow grass โ€” ื›ึถื—ึธืฆึดื™ืจ โ€“ on which animals feed. It grows quickly but will just as quickly be cut down โ€” ืžึฐื”ึตืจึธื” ื™ึดืžึธึผืœื•ึผ . Whatever remains is like vegetation โ€” ื•ึผื›ึฐื™ึถืจึถืง ื“ึถึผืฉึถืื โ€“ that is used to feed people. It grows more slowly but in the end they will wither โ€” ื™ึดื‘ึผื•ึนืœื•ึผืŸ โ€“ and rot away of their own accord.
(ื’) ื‘ึฐึผื˜ึทื— ื‘ึทึผื”โ€˜ ื•ึทืขึฒืฉึตื‚ื” ื˜ื•ึนื‘ 
ืฉึฐืื›ึธืŸ ืึถืจึถืฅ ื•ึผืจึฐืขึตื” ืึฑืžื•ึผื ึธื”:
Instead of aping the wrongdoers who foolishly trust in their material wealth, you should trust in Hashem to take care of you and you should do good โ€” ื‘ึฐึผื˜ึทื— ื‘ึทึผื”’ ื•ึทืขึฒืฉึตื‚ื” ื˜ื•ึนื‘ โ€“ by serving Him. As a result, you will be able to comfortably dwell in the land โ€” ืฉึฐืื›ึธืŸ ืึถืจึถืฅ โ€“ in security. You will have the peace of mind that comes from knowing your success is well-deserved and that it will continue. And you will be able to feed โ€” ื•ึผืจึฐืขึตื” โ€“ your family in reward for your loyalty โ€” ืึฑืžื•ึผื ึธื” โ€“ to Hashem.
(ื“) ื•ึฐื”ึดืชึฐืขึทื ึทึผื’ ืขึทืœ ื”โ€˜ 
ื•ึฐื™ึดืชึถึผืŸ ืœึฐืšึธ ืžึดืฉึฐืืึฒืœึนืช ืœึดื‘ึถึผืšึธ:
Instead of seeking empty pleasures in the company of wrongdoers, find your true delight in serving Hashem โ€” ื•ึฐื”ึดืชึฐืขึทื ึทึผื’ ืขึทืœ ื”’ That means you should seek only those pleasures of which you need not be ashamed in G-d’s presence. These pleasures will give you joy because they have come to you through His bounty and they find favor in His eyes. Even amidst joys and pleasures you remain with your G-d. If you do this, He will surely grant you fulfillment of the desires of your heart โ€” ื•ึฐื™ึดืชึถึผืŸ ืœึฐืšึธ ืžึดืฉึฐืืึฒืœึนืช ืœึดื‘ึถึผืšึธ .
PART 2. TRUST IN HASHEM
(ื”) ื’ึผื•ึนืœ ืขึทืœ ื”โ€˜ ื“ึทึผืจึฐื›ึถึผืšึธ 
ื•ึผื‘ึฐื˜ึทื— ืขึธืœึธื™ื• ื•ึฐื”ื•ึผื ื™ึทืขึฒืฉึถื‚ื”:
Turn over to Hashem โ€” ื’ึผื•ึนืœ ืขึทืœ ื”’ โ€“ the burdens you encounter on your road โ€” ื“ึทึผืจึฐื›ึถึผืšึธ in life. For the achievement of every goal is controlled by Him, even the road to get there. Of course, you should do as much as you can, but then rely on Him โ€” ื•ึผื‘ึฐื˜ึทื— ืขึธืœึธื™ื• โ€“ and no other. You know that He will do โ€” ื•ึฐื”ื•ึผื ื™ึทืขึฒืฉึถื‚ื” โ€“ what is needed, so you can dwell serenely in the land.
(ื•) ื•ึฐื”ื•ึนืฆึดื™ื ื›ึธืื•ึนืจ ืฆึดื“ึฐืงึถืšึธ 
ื•ึผืžึดืฉึฐืืคึธึผื˜ึถืšึธ ื›ึทึผืฆึธึผื”ึณืจึธื™ึดื:
Trust in Hashem and donโ€™t be upset about people who intentionally misjudge or slander your motives. He will bring forth your righteousness so that your intent will be clear and visible as the light โ€” ื•ึฐื”ื•ึนืฆึดื™ื ื›ึธืื•ึนืจ ืฆึดื“ึฐืงึถืšึธ โ€“ of day. And the opinion of your fellow man โ€” ื•ึผืžึดืฉึฐืืคึธึผื˜ึถืšึธ โ€“ will be as plain to you as the noonday sun โ€” ื›ึทึผืฆึธึผื”ึณืจึธื™ึดื .
(ื–) ื“ึผื•ึนื ืœึทื”โ€˜ ื•ึฐื”ึดืชึฐื—ื•ึนืœึตืœ ืœื•ึน
Even if you are still experiencing difficulties, wait patiently for the yeshuah of Hashem โ€” ื“ึผื•ึนื ืœึทื”’ โ€“ and entrust yourself to Him โ€” ื•ึฐื”ึดืชึฐื—ื•ึนืœึตืœ ืœื•ึน โ€“ and His plan for you. The challenges you are now facing are necessary for you to develop into the person He wants you to be.
ืึทืœ ืชึดึผืชึฐื—ึทืจ ื‘ึฐึผืžึทืฆึฐืœึดื™ื—ึท ื“ึทึผืจึฐื›ึผื•ึน 
ื‘ึฐึผืึดื™ืฉื ืขึนืฉึถื‚ื” ืžึฐื–ึดืžึผื•ึนืช:
Donโ€™t let yourself be disturbed โ€” ืึทืœ ืชึดึผืชึฐื—ึทืจ โ€“ at seeing a man who prospers โ€” ื‘ึฐึผืžึทืฆึฐืœึดื™ื—ึท ื“ึทึผืจึฐื›ึผื•ึน , a man who develops devious schemes โ€” ื‘ึฐึผืึดื™ืฉื ืขึนืฉึถื‚ื” ืžึฐื–ึดืžึผื•ึนืช โ€“ to take advantage of people who trust him.
PART 3. OVERCOME RESENTMENT.
(ื—) ื”ึถืจึถืฃ ืžึตืึทืฃ ื•ึทืขึฒื–ึนื‘ ื—ึตืžึธื” 
ืึทืœ ืชึดึผืชึฐื—ึทืจ ืึทืšึฐ ืœึฐื”ึธืจึตืขึท:
Let go your feelings of righteous anger โ€” ื”ึถืจึถืฃ ืžึตืึทืฃ โ€“ against those who have turned away from Hashem. And forsake inner resentment โ€” ื•ึทืขึฒื–ึนื‘ ื—ึตืžึธื” โ€“ at your being subject to misfortune. Donโ€™t let yourself be disturbed โ€” ืึทืœ ืชึดึผืชึฐื—ึทืจ โ€“ by the prosperity of evil people. All such feelings do nothing but bring harm โ€” ืึทืšึฐ ืœึฐื”ึธืจึตืขึท โ€“ to you.
(ื˜) ื›ึดึผื™ ืžึฐืจึตืขึดื™ื ื™ึดื›ึธึผืจึตืชื•ึผืŸ 
ื•ึฐืงึนื•ึตื™ ื”โ€˜ ื”ึตืžึธึผื” ื™ึดื™ืจึฐืฉืื•ึผ ืึธืจึถืฅ:
Donโ€™t be confused by the prosperity of undeserving people, for the evildoers โ€” ื›ึดึผื™ ืžึฐืจึตืขึดื™ื โ€“ that you now see as successful will be cut off โ€” ื™ึดื›ึธึผืจึตืชื•ึผืŸ . They wonโ€™t last. But on the other hand, those who place their hope and destiny with Hashem โ€” ื•ึฐืงึนื•ึตื™ ื”’ , they alone โ€” ื”ึตืžึธึผื” โ€“ will inherit the earth โ€” ื™ึดื™ืจึฐืฉืื•ึผ ืึธืจึถืฅ โ€“ and live out their days on it.
(ื™) ื•ึฐืขื•ึนื“ ืžึฐืขึทื˜ ื•ึฐืึตื™ืŸ ืจึธืฉึธืืข 
ื•ึฐื”ึดืชึฐื‘ึผื•ึนื ึทื ึฐืชึธึผ ืขึทืœ ืžึฐืงื•ึนืžื•ึน ื•ึฐืึตื™ื ึถื ึผื•ึผ:
The many evildoers of the world may be such a problem for you that you feel you cannot take any more. But if you will have the patience to wait just a little longer, you will see that they will be gone and there will be no evildoer left โ€” ื•ึฐืขื•ึนื“ ืžึฐืขึทื˜ ื•ึฐืึตื™ืŸ ืจึธืฉึธืืข . You will look at his place where you saw him last and he will not be there โ€” ื•ึฐื”ึดืชึฐื‘ึผื•ึนื ึทื ึฐืชึธึผ ืขึทืœ ืžึฐืงื•ึนืžื•ึน ื•ึฐืึตื™ื ึถื ึผื•ึผ . People will not even remember that he existed for he left no trace of himself.
(ื™ื) ื•ึทืขึฒื ึธื•ึดื™ื ื™ึดื™ืจึฐืฉืื•ึผ ืึธืจึถืฅ 
ื•ึฐื”ึดืชึฐืขึทื ึฐึผื’ื•ึผ ืขึทืœ ืจึนื‘ ืฉึธืืœื•ึนื:
Once the evildoers are gone, the virtuous people who were exploited and abused will be the only ones left. Then these humble people will inherit the earth โ€” ื•ึทืขึฒื ึธื•ึดื™ื ื™ึดื™ืจึฐืฉืื•ึผ ืึธืจึถืฅ . They will delight โ€” ื•ึฐื”ึดืชึฐืขึทื ึฐึผื’ื•ึผ โ€“ in abundant peace โ€” ืขึทืœ ืจึนื‘ ืฉึธืืœื•ึนื โ€“ because there will be enough for everyone and their rights to the land will not be contested.
PART 4. EVILDOERS HAVE NO FUTURE
(ื™ื‘) ื–ึนืžึตื ืจึธืฉึธืืข ืœึทืฆึทึผื“ึดึผื™ืง 
ื•ึฐื—ึนืจึตืง ืขึธืœึธื™ื• ืฉึดืื ึธึผื™ื•:
Hashem will cut short the life of the evildoer who is unable to coexist peacefully with righteous people. The evildoer sees the very existence of a righteous person as a reproach to his way of life. And so the evildoer is busy concocting elaborate schemes against the righteous person โ€” ื–ึนืžึตื ืจึธืฉึธืืข ืœึทืฆึทึผื“ึดึผื™ืง โ€“ and when he is confident of achieving his purpose, he gnashes his teeth at him โ€” ื•ึฐื—ึนืจึตืง ืขึธืœึธื™ื• ืฉึดืื ึธึผื™ื• โ€“ to express his hatred and contempt.
(ื™ื’) ืึฒื“ึนึพื ึธื™ ื™ึดืฉึฐื‚ื—ึทืง ืœื•ึน 
ื›ึดึผื™ ืจึธืึธื” ื›ึดึผื™ ื™ึธื‘ึนื ื™ื•ึนืžื•ึน:
But Hashem laughs at him โ€” ื”’ ื™ึดืฉึฐื‚ื—ึทืง ืœื• โ€“ and his foolish schemes. For Hashem sees โ€” ื›ึดึผื™ ืจึธืึธื” โ€“ that the day of the evildoerโ€™s downfall is coming โ€” ื›ึดึผื™ ื™ึธื‘ึนื ื™ื•ึนืžื•ึน โ€“ and he will never have the opportunity to carry out his plans.
(ื™ื“) ื—ึถืจึถื‘ ืคึธึผืชึฐื—ื•ึผ ืจึฐืฉึธืืขึดื™ื ื•ึฐื“ึธืจึฐื›ื•ึผ ืงึทืฉึฐืืชึธึผื 
ืœึฐื”ึทืคึดึผื™ืœ ืขึธื ึดื™ ื•ึฐืึถื‘ึฐื™ื•ึนืŸ ืœึดื˜ึฐื‘ื•ึนื—ึท ื™ึดืฉึฐืืจึตื™ ื“ึธืจึถืšึฐ:
Hashem laughs when He sees that the evildoers draw their sword โ€” ื—ึถืจึถื‘ ืคึธึผืชึฐื—ื•ึผ ืจึฐืฉึธืืขึดื™ื โ€“ and bend their bows โ€” ื•ึฐื“ึธืจึฐื›ื•ึผ ืงึทืฉึฐืืชึธึผื , to bring down the poor and the destitute โ€” ืœึฐื”ึทืคึดึผื™ืœ ืขึธื ึดื™ ื•ึฐืึถื‘ึฐื™ื•ึนืŸ , to slaughter those whose way is straight โ€” ืœึดื˜ึฐื‘ื•ึนื—ึท ื™ึดืฉึฐืืจึตื™ ื“ึธืจึถืšึฐ . Hashem laughs because He knows that the evildoers are driven by selfishness and they will end up fighting among themselves. So despite their wicked intentions they will fail in the end.
(ื˜ื•) ื—ึทืจึฐื‘ึธึผื ืชึธึผื‘ื•ึนื ื‘ึฐืœึดื‘ึธึผื 
ื•ึฐืงึทืฉึฐึผืืชื•ึนืชึธื ืชึดึผืฉึธึผืื‘ึทืจึฐื ึธื”:
Hashem knows that in the end their sword will pierce their own heart โ€” ื—ึทืจึฐื‘ึธึผื ืชึธึผื‘ื•ึนื ื‘ึฐืœึดื‘ึธึผื , and when they try to bend their weapons to shoot arrows, their bows will be broken โ€” ื•ึฐืงึทืฉึฐึผืืชื•ึนืชึธื ืชึดึผืฉึธึผืื‘ึทืจึฐื ึธื” โ€“ as a result of internal rivalries and squabbles.
(ื˜ื–) ื˜ื•ึนื‘ ืžึฐืขึทื˜ ืœึทืฆึทึผื“ึดึผื™ืง 
ืžึตื”ึฒืžื•ึนืŸ ืจึฐืฉึธืืขึดื™ื ืจึทื‘ึดึผื™ื:
Even when the evildoers appear to be prosperous, donโ€™t be resentful. One cannot judge the true extent of a personโ€™s fortune by outward appearances. Even when the wealth of the evildoer appears great, it may be short-lived. The little that the righteous โ€” ืžึฐืขึทื˜ ืœึทืฆึทึผื“ึดึผื™ืง โ€“ man has is effectively better โ€” ื˜ื•ึนื‘ โ€“ than the great abundance of the evildoers โ€” ืžึตื”ึฒืžื•ึนืŸ ืจึฐืฉึธืืขึดื™ื ืจึทื‘ึดึผื™ื .
(ื™ื–) ื›ึดึผื™ ื–ึฐืจื•ึนืขื•ึนืช ืจึฐืฉึธืืขึดื™ื ืชึดึผืฉึธึผืื‘ึทืจึฐื ึธื” 
ื•ึฐืกื•ึนืžึตืšึฐ ืฆึทื“ึดึผื™ืงึดื™ื ื”โ€˜:
For the war-making arms of the evildoers will soon be broken โ€” ื›ึดึผื™ ื–ึฐืจื•ึนืขื•ึนืช ืจึฐืฉึธืืขึดื™ื ืชึดึผืฉึธึผืื‘ึทืจึฐื ึธื” โ€“ and they will be unable to bend the bow that they plan to use against the righteous. In any case, Hashem supports the righteous โ€” ื•ึฐืกื•ึนืžึตืšึฐ ืฆึทื“ึดึผื™ืงึดื™ื ื”’ , even when they are still physically weaker than the evildoers.
PART 5. A STARK CONTRAST
(ื™ื—) ื™ื•ึนื“ึตืขึท ื”โ€˜ ื™ึฐืžึตื™ ืชึฐืžึดื™ืžึดื 
ื•ึฐื ึทื—ึฒืœึธืชึธื ืœึฐืขื•ึนืœึธื ืชึดึผื”ึฐื™ึถื”:
Hashem knows โ€” ื™ื•ึนื“ึตืขึท ื”’ โ€“ and appreciates the faithful devotion shown in all the days โ€” ื™ึฐืžึตื™ โ€“ of the people who are wholly committed โ€” ืชึฐืžึดื™ืžึดื โ€“ to His service. Their inheritance โ€” ื•ึฐื ึทื—ึฒืœึธืชึธื , which they will receive from Him, will be for eternity โ€” ืœึฐืขื•ึนืœึธื ืชึดึผื”ึฐื™ึถื” , in this world and the next.
(ื™ื˜) ืœึนื ื™ึตื‘ึนืฉืื•ึผ ื‘ึฐึผืขึตืช ืจึธืขึธื” 
ื•ึผื‘ึดื™ืžึตื™ ืจึฐืขึธื‘ื•ึนืŸ ื™ึดืฉึฐื‚ื‘ึธึผืขื•ึผ:
They will be secure in their inheritence and so they will not be shamed by having to seek help from other nations in time of global calamity โ€” ืœึนื ื™ึตื‘ึนืฉืื•ึผ ื‘ึฐึผืขึตืช ืจึธืขึธื” โ€“ such as plague or war. And even in time of world-wide famine โ€” ื•ึผื‘ึดื™ืžึตื™ ืจึฐืขึธื‘ื•ึนืŸ โ€“ they will have their fill โ€” ื™ึดืฉึฐื‚ื‘ึธึผืขื•ึผ โ€“ of the harvest.
(ื›) ื›ึดึผื™ ืจึฐืฉึธืืขึดื™ื ื™ึนืื‘ึตื“ื•ึผ 
ื•ึฐืึนื™ึฐื‘ึตื™ ื”โ€˜ ื›ึดึผื™ืงึทืจ ื›ึธึผืจึดื™ื ื›ึธึผืœื•ึผ 
ื‘ึถืขึธืฉึธืืŸ ื›ึธึผืœื•ึผ:
But the evildoers will perish โ€” ื›ึดึผื™ ืจึฐืฉึธืืขึดื™ื ื™ึนืื‘ึตื“ื•ึผ , and the enemies of Hashem will be utterly consumed like the fat of sacrificial lambs โ€” ื•ึฐืึนื™ึฐื‘ึตื™ ื”’ ื›ึดึผื™ืงึทืจ ื›ึธึผืจึดื™ื ื›ึธึผืœื•ึผ , which is vaporized in fire. The wealth which they have slowly and carefully amassed will not help them at the time of their destruction. All will be gone! Gone up in smoke! โ€” ื‘ึถืขึธืฉึธืืŸ ื›ึธึผืœื•ึผ .
(ื›ื) ืœึนื•ึถื” ืจึธืฉึธืืข ื•ึฐืœึนื ื™ึฐืฉึทืืœึตึผื
The evildoer will not last because his life is organized around what he can get out of the world instead of what value he can give. In the end, his self-serving schemes will do him in. The evildoer continues to borrow โ€” ืœึนื•ึถื” ืจึธืฉึธืืข โ€“ from the world but does not even repay โ€” ื•ึฐืœึนื ื™ึฐืฉึทืืœึตึผื โ€“ what he has taken. His indebtedness continues to mount and ultimately there will be an accounting.
ื•ึฐืฆึทื“ึดึผื™ืง ื—ื•ึนื ึตืŸ ื•ึฐื ื•ึนืชึตืŸ:
In contrast, the righteous person is a benefactor and a giver โ€” ื•ึฐืฆึทื“ึดึผื™ืง ื—ื•ึนื ึตืŸ ื•ึฐื ื•ึนืชึตืŸ โ€“ to the world, without regard for what is due him. He lives in this world as a net creditor and Hashem will see to it that he ultimately gets what is due him โ€” his eternal inheritence.
(ื›ื‘) ื›ึดึผื™ ืžึฐื‘ึนืจึธื›ึธื™ื• ื™ึดื™ืจึฐืฉืื•ึผ ืึธืจึถืฅ 
ื•ึผืžึฐืงึปืœึธึผืœึธื™ื• ื™ึดื›ึธึผืจึตืชื•ึผ:
For His blessed ones will inherit the earth โ€” ื›ึดึผื™ ืžึฐื‘ึนืจึธื›ึธื™ื• ื™ึดื™ืจึฐืฉืื•ึผ ืึธืจึถืฅ , while His accursed ones, the evildoers, will be cut off โ€” ื•ึผืžึฐืงึปืœึธึผืœึธื™ื• ื™ึดื›ึธึผืจึตืชื•ึผ .
PART 6. THE BLESSING OF THE RIGHTEOUS.
(ื›ื’) ืžึตื”โ€˜ ืžึดืฆึฐืขึฒื“ึตื™ ื’ึถื‘ึถืจ ื›ึผื•ึนื ึธื ื•ึผ 
ื•ึฐื“ึทืจึฐื›ึผื•ึน ื™ึถื—ึฐืคึธึผืฅ:
Even though the righteous man may seem to be at a disadvantage in this world, Hashem loves him and supports him every step of his way through life. Thus, it is by a blessing from Hashem โ€” ืžึตื”’ โ€“ that the righteous manโ€™s footsteps โ€” ืžึดืฆึฐืขึฒื“ึตื™ ื’ึถื‘ึถืจ โ€“ are made firm โ€” ื›ึผื•ึนื ึธื ื•ึผ . And because Hashem is pleased with that manโ€™s way โ€” ื•ึฐื“ึทืจึฐื›ึผื•ึน ื™ึถื—ึฐืคึธึผืฅ โ€“ He continues to help him and guide him.
(ื›ื“) ื›ึดึผื™ ื™ึดืคึนึผืœ ืœึนื ื™ื•ึผื˜ึธืœ 
ื›ึดึผื™ ื”โ€˜ ืกื•ึนืžึตืšึฐ ื™ึธื“ื•ึน:
If it is Hashemโ€™s will that he should fall into misfortune, he will not be completely brought down โ€” ื›ึดึผื™ ื™ึดืคึนึผืœ ืœึนื ื™ื•ึผื˜ึธืœ . For Hashem is there with him and supports his hand โ€” ื›ึดึผื™ ื”’ ืกื•ึนืžึตืšึฐ ื™ึธื“ื•ึน . Thus, he will always have an opportunity to raise himself. In contrast the evildoer will never recover when things go against him.
(ื›ื”) ื ึทืขึทืจ ื”ึธื™ึดื™ืชึดื™ ื’ึทึผื ื–ึธืงึทื ึฐืชึดึผื™ 
ื•ึฐืœึนื ืจึธืึดื™ืชึดื™ ืฆึทื“ึดึผื™ืง ื ึถืขึฑื–ึธื‘ 
ื•ึฐื–ึทืจึฐืขื•ึน ืžึฐื‘ึทืงึถึผืฉื ืœึธื—ึถื:
I can attest to what I have been saying because I have seen much in my own eventful life. I was once a young fellow โ€” ื ึทืขึทืจ ื”ึธื™ึดื™ืชึดื™ โ€“ eager to learn and do the right thing but there were times when I thought I would never make it to old age. Over the years I survived many threats to my life and I have even grown old โ€” ื’ึทึผื ื–ึธืงึทื ึฐืชึดึผื™ โ€“ in experience if not in years. Yet in all my life I have never seen a righteous man abandoned by society and unable to buy minimal food and clothing โ€” ื•ึฐืœึนื ืจึธืึดื™ืชึดื™ ืฆึทื“ึดึผื™ืง ื ึถืขึฑื–ึธื‘ . Nor, after his death, have I seen his offspring on the streets begging for bread โ€” ื•ึฐื–ึทืจึฐืขื•ึน ืžึฐื‘ึทืงึถึผืฉื ืœึธื—ึถื .
(ื›ื•) ื›ึธึผืœ ื”ึทื™ึผื•ึนื ื—ื•ึนื ึตืŸ ื•ึผืžึทืœึฐื•ึถื” 
ื•ึฐื–ึทืจึฐืขื•ึน ืœึดื‘ึฐืจึธื›ึธื”:
Donโ€™t expect the righteous person to be wealthy, for his purpose in life is not to grow rich. In fact, every day he is generous โ€” ื›ึธึผืœ ื”ึทื™ึผื•ึนื ื—ื•ึนื ึตืŸ โ€“ in providing sustenance to the needy. And when it is appropriate he lends โ€” ื•ึผืžึทืœึฐื•ึถื” โ€“ what he can to help them establish their livelihood. He continues to act with kindness even when he is experiencing financial difficulties of his own. And as a result, his children โ€” ื•ึฐื–ึทืจึฐืขื•ึน , who are influenced by the example of their father, are a blessing โ€” ืœึดื‘ึฐืจึธื›ึธื” โ€“ to him and others.
PART 7. THE RIGHT WAY.
(ื›ื–) ืกื•ึผืจ ืžึตืจึธืข ื•ึทืขึฒืฉึตื‚ื” ื˜ื•ึนื‘ 
ื•ึผืฉึฐืื›ึนืŸ ืœึฐืขื•ึนืœึธื:
Therefore, donโ€™t be misled by current conditions such as the success of the evildoer. Hold fast to your principles. Consistently turn away from evil and do good โ€” ืกื•ึผืจ ืžึตืจึธืข ื•ึทืขึฒืฉึตื‚ื” ื˜ื•ึนื‘ . You will then live in peace and security all your life โ€” ื•ึผืฉึฐืื›ึนืŸ ืœึฐืขื•ึนืœึธื โ€“ under the protection of Hashem.
(ื›ื—) ื›ึดึผื™ ื”โ€˜ ืึนื”ึตื‘ ืžึดืฉึฐืืคึธึผื˜ 
ื•ึฐืœึนื ื™ึทืขึฒื–ึนื‘ ืึถืช ื—ึฒืกึดื™ื“ึธื™ื•
As I said, โ€œI have never seen a righteous man abandonedโ€ (verse 25). Why is that? For Hashem loves justice โ€” ื›ึดึผื™ ื”’ ืึนื”ึตื‘ ืžึดืฉึฐืืคึธึผื˜ โ€“ and so He loves the man of integrity who is careful never to take what is not his by right. And He will surely not forsake His devout ones โ€” ื•ึฐืœึนื ื™ึทืขึฒื–ึนื‘ ืึถืช ื—ึฒืกึดื™ื“ึธื™ื• , who go beyond the letter of the law. They prefer to yield on their own rights to avoid the risk of infringing upon those of another.
ืœึฐืขื•ึนืœึธื ื ึดืฉึฐืืžึธืจื•ึผ 
ื•ึฐื–ึถืจึทืข ืจึฐืฉึธืืขึดื™ื ื ึดื›ึฐืจึธืช:
They and their offspring will always be protected โ€” ืœึฐืขื•ึนืœึธื ื ึดืฉึฐืืžึธืจื•ึผ , but the offspring of the evildoers, who trample on the rights of others, will be cut off โ€” ื•ึฐื–ึถืจึทืข ืจึฐืฉึธืืขึดื™ื ื ึดื›ึฐืจึธืช . For when the evildoers are done away with, their offspring will be cut off with them.
(ื›ื˜) ืฆึทื“ึดึผื™ืงึดื™ื ื™ึดื™ืจึฐืฉืื•ึผ ืึธืจึถืฅ 
ื•ึฐื™ึดืฉึฐืื›ึฐึผื ื•ึผ ืœึธืขึทื“ ืขึธืœึถื™ื”ึธ:
Not only will the righteous be protected from harm, they will be rewarded for their steadfastness. Since the evildoers will be no more, the righteous will inherit the earth โ€” ืฆึทื“ึดึผื™ืงึดื™ื ื™ึดื™ืจึฐืฉืื•ึผ ืึธืจึถืฅ โ€“ and dwell forever upon it โ€” ื•ึฐื™ึดืฉึฐืื›ึฐึผื ื•ึผ ืœึธืขึทื“ ืขึธืœึถื™ื”ึธ โ€“ in peace and security.
(ืœ) ืคึดึผื™ ืฆึทื“ึดึผื™ืง ื™ึถื”ึฐื’ึถึผื” ื—ึธื›ึฐืžึธื” 
ื•ึผืœึฐืฉืื•ึนื ื•ึน ืชึฐึผื“ึทื‘ึตึผืจ ืžึดืฉึฐืืคึธึผื˜:
The righteous are worthy of inheriting the earth because their goal in life is not the gathering of riches but in serving Hashem. They do so by helping others (posuk 26) and teaching them the wisdom of the Torah. Thus, the mouth of the righteous man utters wisdom โ€” ืคึดึผื™ ืฆึทื“ึดึผื™ืง ื™ึถื”ึฐื’ึถึผื” ื—ึธื›ึฐืžึธื” โ€“ and his tongue speaks justice โ€” ื•ึผืœึฐืฉืื•ึนื ื•ึน ืชึฐึผื“ึทื‘ึตึผืจ ืžึดืฉึฐืืคึธึผื˜ . But only the righteous man is able to do so. His true understanding of what is right is directly dependent upon the life he leads.
(ืœื) ืชึผื•ึนืจึทืช ืึฑืœึนืงึธื™ื• ื‘ึฐึผืœึดื‘ึผื•ึน 
ืœึนื ืชึดืžึฐืขึทื“ ืึฒืฉึปืืจึธื™ื•:
The righteous man lives a consistent life. Thus, the Torah of his G-d is in his heart โ€” ืชึผื•ึนืจึทืช ืึฑืœึนืงึธื™ื• ื‘ึฐึผืœึดื‘ึผื•ึน โ€“ as well as in his actions. His footsteps do not slide away โ€” ืœึนื ืชึดืžึฐืขึทื“ ืึฒืฉึปืืจึธื™ื• โ€“ from the Torah that is in his heart. He does not look for ways to minimize the obligations that the Torah places on him.
PART 8. PROTECTION FROM EVIL.
(ืœื‘) ืฆื•ึนืคึถื” ืจึธืฉึธืืข ืœึทืฆึทึผื“ึดึผื™ืง 
ื•ึผืžึฐื‘ึทืงึตึผืฉื ืœึทื”ึฒืžึดื™ืชื•ึน:
The happiness that the righteous man finds in serving Hashem is highly disturbing to the evildoer because it stands as a silent accusation to his way of life. So the evildoer eagerly watches and waits for the righteous โ€” ืฆื•ึนืคึถื” ืจึธืฉึธืืข ืœึทืฆึทึผื“ึดึผื™ืง โ€“ to suffer some misfortune and if that doesnโ€™t happen, he seeks to have him put to death โ€” ื•ึผืžึฐื‘ึทืงึตึผืฉื ืœึทื”ึฒืžึดื™ืชื•ึน โ€“ by informing on him to the authorities.
(ืœื’) ื”โ€˜ ืœึนื ื™ึทืขึทื–ึฐื‘ึถื ึผื•ึผ ื‘ึฐื™ึธื“ื•ึน 
ื•ึฐืœึนื ื™ึทืจึฐืฉึดืื™ืขึถื ึผื•ึผ ื‘ึฐึผื”ึดืฉึธึผืืคึฐื˜ื•ึน:
But Hashem will not abandon him โ€” ื”’ ืœึนื ื™ึทืขึทื–ึฐื‘ึถื ึผื•ึผ โ€“ and leave him defenseless under the evildoerโ€™s hand โ€” ื‘ึฐื™ึธื“ื•ึน . Nor will Hashem let that righteous man be unjustly condemned when he is judged โ€” ื•ึฐืœึนื ื™ึทืจึฐืฉึดืื™ืขึถื ึผื•ึผ ื‘ึฐึผื”ึดืฉึธึผืืคึฐื˜ื•ึน .
PART 9. DESTINY
(ืœื“) ืงึทื•ึตึผื” ืึถืœ ื”โ€˜ ื•ึผืฉึฐืืžึนืจ ื“ึทึผืจึฐื›ึผื•ึน 
ื•ึดื™ืจื•ึนืžึดืžึฐืšึธ ืœึธืจึถืฉึถืืช ืึธืจึถืฅ 
ื‘ึฐึผื”ึดื›ึธึผืจึตืช ืจึฐืฉึธืืขึดื™ื ืชึดึผืจึฐืึถื”:
Now that you have seen how Hashem helps the righteous man who is faithful to Him, even if the evildoer makes life difficult for you, I urge you to place your hope in Hashem โ€” ืงึทื•ึตึผื” ืึถืœ ื”’ โ€“ and continue to trust Him. Remain faithful to Him and keep to His way โ€” ื•ึผืฉึฐืืžึนืจ ื“ึทึผืจึฐื›ึผื•ึน , which is the way of patience and long-suffering. For He will surely save you from the evildoers and raise you high to inherit the earth โ€” ื•ึดื™ืจื•ึนืžึดืžึฐืšึธ ืœึธืจึถืฉึถืืช ืึธืจึถืฅ . He will fight your battle and you will witness the destruction of the evildoers โ€” ื‘ึฐึผื”ึดื›ึธึผืจึตืช ืจึฐืฉึธืืขึดื™ื ืชึดึผืจึฐืึถื” โ€“ even though they appear to be successful at the moment.
(ืœื”) ืจึธืึดื™ืชึดื™ ืจึธืฉึธืืข ืขึธืจึดื™ืฅ 
ื•ึผืžึดืชึฐืขึธืจึถื” ื›ึฐึผืึถื–ึฐืจึธื— ืจึทืขึฒื ึธืŸ:
With my own eyes I saw a powerful, wealthy evildoer โ€” ืจึธืึดื™ืชึดื™ ืจึธืฉึธืืข ืขึธืจึดื™ืฅ , who was in the prime of life and solidly rooted in his community like an ancient flourishing tree โ€” ื•ึผืžึดืชึฐืขึธืจึถื” ื›ึฐึผืึถื–ึฐืจึธื— ืจึทืขึฒื ึธืŸ .
(ืœื•) ื•ึทื™ึทึผืขึฒื‘ึนืจ ื•ึฐื”ึดื ึตึผื” ืึตื™ื ึถื ึผื•ึผ 
ื•ึธืึฒื‘ึทืงึฐืฉึตืื”ื•ึผ ื•ึฐืœึนื ื ึดืžึฐืฆึธื:
But then he passed on โ€” ื•ึทื™ึทึผืขึฒื‘ึนืจ , and when I looked โ€” ื•ึฐื”ึดื ึตึผื” โ€“ he was no more โ€” ืึตื™ื ึถื ึผื•ึผ ! I searched for him, but he could no longer be found โ€” ื•ึธืึฒื‘ึทืงึฐืฉึตืื”ื•ึผ ื•ึฐืœึนื ื ึดืžึฐืฆึธื . His entire wealth and even his extensive family had vanished. The many people who had been dependent on him denied that he had ever existed.
(ืœื–) ืฉึฐืืžึธืจ ืชึธึผื ื•ึผืจึฐืึตื” ื™ึธืฉึธืืจ 
ื›ึดึผื™ ืึทื—ึฒืจึดื™ืช ืœึฐืึดื™ืฉื ืฉึธืืœื•ึนื:
Observe โ€” ืฉึฐืืžึธืจ โ€“ how different is the fate of the man of moral purity โ€” ืชึธึผื , who is devoted to his duty. And watch โ€” ื•ึผืจึฐืึตื” โ€“ what happens to the upright man โ€” ื™ึธืฉึธืืจ . You will see that there is a bright destiny โ€” ื›ึดึผื™ ืึทื—ึฒืจึดื™ืช โ€“ for the man of peace โ€” ืœึฐืึดื™ืฉื ืฉึธืืœื•ึนื , whose life in This World is in harmony with his Creator and with his future in the World to Come.
(ืœื—) ื•ึผืคึนืฉึฐืืขึดื™ื ื ึดืฉึฐืืžึฐื“ื•ึผ ื™ึทื—ึฐื“ึธึผื• 
ืึทื—ึฒืจึดื™ืช ืจึฐืฉึธืืขึดื™ื ื ึดื›ึฐืจึธืชึธื”:
But effectively, the transgressors โ€” ื•ึผืคึนืฉึฐืืขึดื™ื โ€“ have already been destroyed all together โ€” ื ึดืฉึฐืืžึฐื“ื•ึผ ื™ึทื—ึฐื“ึธึผื• โ€“ and that is because they share a common sin โ€” defiance of their Creator. If they seem to be prospering, it doesnโ€™t mean anything because they have no future. The future of the evildoers has already been be cut off โ€” ืึทื—ึฒืจึดื™ืช ืจึฐืฉึธืืขึดื™ื ื ึดื›ึฐืจึธืชึธื” .
PART 10. CONCLUSION.
(ืœื˜) ื•ึผืชึฐืฉืื•ึผืขึทืช ืฆึทื“ึดึผื™ืงึดื™ื ืžึตื”โ€˜ ืžึธืขื•ึผื–ึธึผื ื‘ึฐึผืขึตืช ืฆึธืจึธื”:
In contrast to the fate of the evildoers, the future of the righteous is assured. This is because the yeshuah of the righteous is a certain promise from Hashem โ€” ื•ึผืชึฐืฉืื•ึผืขึทืช ืฆึทื“ึดึผื™ืงึดื™ื ืžึตื”’ . He is their Stronghold in time of distress โ€” ืžึธืขื•ึผื–ึธึผื ื‘ึฐึผืขึตืช ืฆึธืจึธื” โ€“ when they feel defenseless.
(ืž) ื•ึทื™ึทึผืขึฐื–ึฐืจึตื ื”โ€˜ ื•ึทื™ึฐืคึทืœึฐึผื˜ึตื 
ื™ึฐืคึทืœึฐึผื˜ึตื ืžึตืจึฐืฉึธืืขึดื™ื 
ื•ึฐื™ื•ึนืฉึดืื™ืขึตื ื›ึดึผื™ ื—ึธืกื•ึผ ื‘ื•ึน:
In the past Hashem helped them โ€” ื•ึทื™ึทึผืขึฐื–ึฐืจึตื ื”’ โ€“ in their effort to become morally elevated. And He freed them โ€” ื•ึทื™ึฐืคึทืœึฐึผื˜ึตื โ€“ from all the threats of physical annihilation. He will surely free them from the threat of harm by the current group of evildoers โ€” ื™ึฐืคึทืœึฐึผื˜ึตื ืžึตืจึฐืฉึธืืขึดื™ื . And He will grant them an eternal life of yeshuah โ€” ื•ึฐื™ื•ึนืฉึดืื™ืขึตื , which is their just reward for they have put their trust in Him โ€” ื›ึดึผื™ ื—ึธืกื•ึผ ื‘ื•ึน .
Living the Mizmor
Listed below are some of the lessons that you can draw from this mizmor, as well as some of the thoughts you might have in mind when you say the words of the mizmor as a tefillah, expressing your devotion to Hashem.
Lessons for Life – Your Attitude.
[37:1] ENVY. โ€“ ืึทืœ ืชึดึผืชึฐื—ึทืจ ื‘ึทึผืžึฐึผืจึตืขึดื™ื ืึทืœ ืชึฐึผืงึทื ึตึผื ื‘ึฐึผืขึนืฉึตื‚ื™ ืขึทื•ึฐืœึธื” โ€“ โ€œDonโ€™t be disturbed by bad people. Donโ€™t be envious of wrongdoers.โ€ Donโ€™t let yourself be tempted to associate with wrongdoers and emulate them because of their apparent good fortune. It wonโ€™t last.
[37:2] โ€“ ื›ึดึผื™ ื›ึถื—ึธืฆึดื™ืจ ืžึฐื”ึตืจึธื” ื™ึดืžึธึผืœื•ึผ ื•ึผื›ึฐื™ึถืจึถืง ื“ึถึผืฉึถืื ื™ึดื‘ึผื•ึนืœื•ึผืŸ โ€“ โ€œFor like grass they will be quickly cut down. Like vegetation they will wither.โ€
[37:3] BITACHON. โ€“ ื‘ึฐึผื˜ึทื— ื‘ึทึผื”’ ื•ึทืขึฒืฉึตื‚ื” ื˜ื•ึนื‘ ืฉึฐืื›ึธืŸ ืึถืจึถืฅ ื•ึผืจึฐืขึตื” ืึฑืžื•ึผื ึธื” โ€“ โ€œTrust in Hashem and do good. Dwell in the land and nourish [your] faith.โ€ Maintain your trust in Hashem despite difficulties; you will be rewarded with security and happiness.
[37:4] DELIGHT โ€“ ื•ึฐื”ึดืชึฐืขึทื ึทึผื’ ืขึทืœ ื”’ ื•ึฐื™ึดืชึถึผืŸ ืœึฐืšึธ ืžึดืฉึฐืืึฒืœึนืช ืœึดื‘ึถึผืšึธ โ€“ โ€œDelight in Hashem. He will grant you the desires of your heart.โ€ Serve Hashem with joy in your heart, for you are pleasing Him.
[37:8] RESENTMENT โ€“ ื”ึถืจึถืฃ ืžึตืึทืฃ ื•ึทืขึฒื–ึนื‘ ื—ึตืžึธื” ืึทืœ ืชึดึผืชึฐื—ึทืจ ืึทืšึฐ ืœึฐื”ึธืจึตืขึท โ€“ โ€œLet go of anger and forsake resentment. Donโ€™t let yourself be disturbed, for [such feelings] bring only harm.โ€ You will only harm yourself if you indulge in anger and resentment. If you focus on what is good in your life, your attitude will be its own reward.
[37:27] THE FUTURE. โ€“ ืกื•ึผืจ ืžึตืจึธืข ื•ึทืขึฒืฉึตื‚ื” ื˜ื•ึนื‘ ื•ึผืฉึฐืื›ึนืŸ ืœึฐืขื•ึนืœึธื โ€“ โ€œTurn away from evil and do good. You will then live [in peace] all your life.โ€ Hold fast to your principles in spite of difficulties and you will be able to look ahead to a fulfilled life.
Lessons for Life – Your Behavior.
[37:21] INTEGRITY. โ€“ ืœึนื•ึถื” ืจึธืฉึธืืข ื•ึฐืœึนื ื™ึฐืฉึทืืœึตึผื โ€“ โ€œThe evildoer borrows but does not repay.โ€ Donโ€™t borrow unless you really need to; if you have borrowed, treat your debt as a holy obligation.
[37:21] GENEROSITY. โ€“ ื•ึฐืฆึทื“ึดึผื™ืง ื—ื•ึนื ึตืŸ ื•ึฐื ื•ึนืชึตืŸ โ€“ โ€œbut the righteous person is a benefactor and a giver.โ€ Be generous and helpful to others, without undue concern about being reimbursed.
Tehillos for Life – Contemplation of Hashem.
[37:23] LOVE OF THE RIGHTEOUS. โ€“ ืžึตื”’ ืžึดืฆึฐืขึฒื“ึตื™ ื’ึถื‘ึถืจ ื›ึผื•ึนื ึธื ื•ึผ ื•ึฐื“ึทืจึฐื›ึผื•ึน ื™ึถื—ึฐืคึธึผืฅ โ€“ โ€œFrom Hashem the righteous manโ€™s footsteps are made firm and Hashem is pleased with his way.โ€ Even though the righteous man may seem to be at a disadvantage in this world, Hashem loves him and supports him every step of his way through life.
[37:39] YESHUAH. โ€“ ื•ึผืชึฐืฉืื•ึผืขึทืช ืฆึทื“ึดึผื™ืงึดื™ื ืžึตื”’ ืžึธืขื•ึผื–ึธึผื ื‘ึฐึผืขึตืช ืฆึธืจึธื” โ€“ โ€œThe yeshuah of the righteous is from Hashem, their stronghold in time of distress.โ€ The future of the righteous is assured because their yeshuah is a certain promise from Him.
Sources
The primary sources used in the interpretation of the verses of this mizmor are listed below.
ื – ืจืฉ”ื™, ืจื“”ืง, ื”ืžืื™ืจื™, ื‘ืŸึพืจืžื•ืš, ืื‘ืŸ ื™ื—ื™ื™ื, ืžืœื‘ื™”ื, ืจืฉืจ”ื”
ื‘ – ืจืฉ”ื™, ื‘ืŸึพืจืžื•ืš, ืื‘ืŸ ื™ื—ื™ื™ื, ืžืฆื•ื“ื•ืช, ื‘ืืจ ืื‘ืจื”ื, ืจืฉืจ”ื”
ื’ – ืจืฉ”ื™, ืื‘ืŸ ืขื–ืจื, ื‘ืŸึพืจืžื•ืš, ืžืฆื•ื“ื•ืช, ืžืœื‘ื™”ื
ื“ – ืจื“”ืง, ื”ืžืื™ืจื™, ื‘ืŸึพืจืžื•ืš, ืžืœื‘ื™”ื, ืจืฉืจ”ื”
ื” – ืจืฉ”ื™, ืจื“”ืง, ื”ืžืื™ืจื™, ื‘ืŸึพืจืžื•ืš, ืžืœื‘ื™”ื, ืจืฉืจ”ื”
ื• – ืจื“”ืง, ื‘ืŸึพืจืžื•ืš, ืจืฉืจ”ื”
ื– – ืจืฉ”ื™, ืจื“”ืง, ื‘ืŸึพืจืžื•ืš, ืจืฉืจ”ื”
ื— – ืจื“”ืง, ื”ืžืื™ืจื™, ื‘ืืจ ืื‘ืจื”ื, ืจืฉืจ”ื”
ื˜ – ืจืฉ”ื™, ืจื“”ืง, ื”ืžืื™ืจื™, ื‘ืŸึพืจืžื•ืš,
ื™ – ืจืฉ”ื™, ืจื“”ืง, ื‘ืŸึพืจืžื•ืš, ืจืฉืจ”ื”, ื ืจ ืœืจื’ืœื™
ื™ื – ืื‘ืŸ ืขื–ืจื ืจื“”ืง, ืจืฉืจ”ื”
ื™ื‘ – ืจื“”ืง, ื”ืžืื™ืจื™, ื‘ืŸึพืจืžื•ืš, ืจืฉืจ”ื”
ื™ื’ – ืจื“”ืง, ื‘ืŸึพืจืžื•ืš
ื™ื“ – ื‘ืŸึพืจืžื•ืš
ื˜ื• – ืจื“”ืง
ื˜ื– – ืื‘ืŸ ืขื–ืจื, ื”ืžืื™ืจื™, ืจืฉืจ”ื”
ื™ื– – ืื‘ืŸ ืขื–ืจื, ื‘ืŸึพืจืžื•ืš, ืื‘ืŸ ื™ื—ื™ื™ื, ืžืœื‘ื™”ื
ื™ื— – ืจืฉ”ื™, ื‘ืืจ ืื‘ืจื”ื, ืจืฉืจ”ื”
ื™ื˜ – ืื‘ืŸ ืขื–ืจื, ื‘ืŸึพืจืžื•ืš, ืกืคื•ืจื ื•, ืื‘ืŸ ื™ื—ื™ื™ื
ื› – ืจื“”ืง, ื”ืžืื™ืจื™, ืื‘ืŸ ื™ื—ื™ื™ื, ืžืœื‘ื™”ื, ืจืฉืจ”ื”
ื›ื – ื‘ืืจ ืื‘ืจื”ื, ืจืฉืจ”ื”
ื›ื‘ – ืจื“”ืง
ื›ื’ – ืจืฉ”ื™, ืื‘ืŸ ืขื–ืจื, ื”ืžืื™ืจื™, ืื‘ืŸ ื™ื—ื™ื™ื, ืžืฆื•ื“ื•ืช, ืžืœื‘ื™”ื, ื ืจ ืœืจื’ืœื™
ื›ื“ – ืจืฉ”ื™, ืจื“”ืง, ื”ืžืื™ืจื™, ืจืฉืจ”ื”
ื›ื” – ืื‘ืŸ ืขื–ืจื, ืจื“”ืง, ื‘ืŸึพืจืžื•ืš, ืื‘ืŸ ื™ื—ื™ื™ื
ื›ื• – ืจืฉ”ื™, ืจื“”ืง, ืจืฉืจ”ื”
ื›ื– – ืื‘ืŸ ืขื–ืจื, ืจื“”ืง, ืžืœื‘ื™”ื, ืจืฉืจ”ื”
ื›ื— – ืื‘ืŸ ืขื–ืจื, ืจื“”ืง, ื ืจ ืœืจื’ืœื™
ื›ื˜ – ืจื“”ืง, ืื‘ืŸ ื™ื—ื™ื™ื
ืœ – ืื‘ืŸ ืขื–ืจื, ืจื“”ืง, ื‘ืŸึพืจืžื•ืš
ืœื – ืื‘ืŸ ืขื–ืจื, ื”ืžืื™ืจื™, ืจืฉืจ”ื”
ืœื‘ – ื‘ืŸึพืจืžื•ืš, ืจืฉืจ”ื”, ื ืจ ืœืจื’ืœื™
ืœื’ – ืจื“”ืง, ืžืฆื•ื“ื•ืช
ืœื“ – ืจื“”ืง, ื”ืžืื™ืจื™, ื‘ืŸึพืจืžื•ืš
ืœื” – ืจืฉ”ื™, ืื‘ืŸ ืขื–ืจื, ืื‘ืŸ ื™ื—ื™ื™ื
ืœื• – ืื‘ืŸ ืขื–ืจื, ืจื“”ืง, ืื‘ืŸ ื™ื—ื™ื™ื, ื ืจ ืœืจื’ืœื™
ืœื– – ืจืฉ”ื™, ืื‘ืŸ ืขื–ืจื, ืจื“”ืง, ื”ืžืื™ืจื™, ืจืฉืจ”ื”
ืœื— – ืจืฉืจ”ื”, ื ืจ ืœืจื’ืœื™
ืœื˜ – ืžืฆื•ื“ื•ืช, ืจืฉืจ”ื”
ืž – ืจืฉืจ”ื”