Discovery BoxPsalms 37:7-9 
Context37:7 Wait patiently for the Lord! 1
Wait confidently 2 for him!
Do not fret over the apparent success of a sinner, 3
a man who carries out wicked schemes!
37:8 Do not be angry and frustrated! 4
Do not fret! That only leads to trouble!
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
1 tn Heb “Be quiet before the
2 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).
3 tn Heb “over one who causes his way to be successful.”
4 tn Heb “Refrain from anger! Abandon rage!”
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.
6 tn Or “cut off, removed.”
7 tn Heb “and those who wait on the
