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David's [song].
<1> Don't get upset about evil people.
Don't be jealous of those who do wrong.
<2> They are like grass and other green plants
that dry up quickly and then die.
<3> So trust in the Lord and do good.
Live on your land and be dependable.[189]
<4> Enjoy serving the Lord,
and he will give you what you ask for.
<5> Depend on the Lord.
Trust in him, and he will make it happen.
<6> Let your goodness and fairness
shine like the sun at noon.
<7> Trust in the Lord and wait quietly for his help.
Don't be angry when bad people make evil plans and succeed.
<8> Don't become angry and upset enough that you, too, want to do evil.
<9> Evil people will be destroyed,
but those who call to the Lord for help
will get the land he promised.
<10> In a short time there will be no more evil people.
You can look for them all you want, but they will be gone.
<11> Humble people will get the land God promised,
and they will enjoy peace.
<12> The wicked plan bad things for those who are good.
They show their teeth in anger at them.
<13> But our Master will laugh at them.
He will make sure they get what they deserve.
<14> The wicked draw their swords to kill the poor and the helpless.
They aim their arrows to murder all who live right.
<15> But their bows will break,
and their swords will pierce their own hearts.
<16> A few good people are better
than a large crowd of evil people.
<17> Why? Because evil people will be destroyed,
but the Lord cares for good people.
<18> The Lord protects pure people all their life.
Their reward will continue forever.
<19> When trouble comes,
good people will not be destroyed.
When times of hunger come,
good people will have plenty to eat.
<20> But evil people are the Lord's enemies,
and they will be destroyed.
Their valleys will dry up and burn.
They will be destroyed completely.
<21> Bad people quickly borrow money
and never pay it back.
But good people are kind and generous.
<22> When a good person blesses others,
they get the land God promised.
When a good person curses others,
they will be destroyed.
<23> The Lord shows us how we should live,
and he is pleased when he sees people living that way.
<24> If they stumble, they will not fall
because the Lord reaches out to steady them.
<25> I was young, and now I am old,
but I have never seen good people left with no one to help them;
I have never seen their children begging for food.
<26> They are kind and generous,
and their children are a blessing.
<27> Stop doing anything evil, and do good,
and you will always have a place to live.
<28> The Lord loves what is right,
and he will never leave his followers without help.
He will always protect them,
but he will destroy the families of the wicked.
<29> Good people will get the land God promised
and live on it forever.
<30> Those who are good give good advice.
Their decisions are always fair.
<31> They have learned God's teachings,
and they will never stop living right.[190]
<32> Bad people are always looking
for ways to kill good people.
<33> But the Lord will not abandon good people
when they are trapped by bad people.
He will not let good people be judged guilty.
<34> Do what the Lord says,
and wait for his help.
He will reward you and give you the land he promised,
as you watch the wicked being forced to leave.
<35> I once saw a wicked man who was powerful.
He was like a strong, healthy tree.
<36> But then he was gone.
I looked for him, but I couldn't find him.
<37> Be pure and honest.
Peace loving people will have many descendants.
<38> But those who break the law
will be destroyed completely.
And their descendants
will be forced to leave the land.[191]
<39> The Lord saves good people.
When they have troubles, he is their strength.
<40> The Lord helps good people
and rescues them.
They depend on him,
so he rescues them from bad people.
© Copyright 2004 World Bible Translation Center.