Fret not thyself, though wicked men

Verse 1

Fret not thyself, though wicked men Grow opulent, and great; Let not their prosperous vices raise Thine envy, at their state.

Verse 2

For, like the grass that's flourishing, They shall be soon cut down; They wither, as the verdant herb, Before the scorching sun.

Verse 3

But in the Lord repose thy trust, And practice all that's good; So in the land thou safe shall dwell, And sure shall be thy good.

Verse 4

Delight thyself in God; and he Will thy desires fulfill.

Verse 5

To God commit thy way; trust him, And he'll perform all well.

Verse 6

Thy wronged innocence he'll clear. As from the clouds the sun; He'll make thy justice forth to shine, Bright as the day at noon.

Verse 7

Be silent, wait thou on the Lord, Let no impatience rise, At their success; who bring to pass, The mischiefs they devise.

Verse 8

Enkindling anger quench betimes, Wrath utterly forsake; Lest, thee, partaker in their crimes, Ungoverned passions, make.

Verse 9

For wicked men shall be cut off, By a most righteous hand; But those that wait upon the Lord, Inherit shall the land.

Verse 10

The wicked soon are gone; nor shall On strictest search, be found;

Verse 11

Whereas the meek possess the earth; With peace and joy are crowned,

Verse 12

The wicked plot against the just; They gnash, and rage, and foam.

Verse 13

But God derides their schemes; he sees Their day is near to come.

Verse 14

They've drawn the sword and bent the bow To make the poor their prey, To cast the needy to the ground, The upright man to slay.

Verse 15

Their sword shall pierce through their own hearts; Their bow be broke in twain.

Verse 16

The just man's little stores excels, What many wicked gain.

Verse 17

The wicked's arms shall broken be; But God the just sustains;

Verse 18

The upright he guides through all their days, Their portion safe remains.

Verse 19

When sad distressing times approach, They free from shame abide; Though days of raging famine come, They shall be satisfied.

Verse 20

But wicked men shall be cut off Who dare the Lord provoke; Like fat of lambs, they melt away, And vanish into smoke.

Verse 21

The wicked borrows where he can, And takes no care to pay; But righteous men will mercy show And freely give away.

Verse 22

For those the Lord vouchsafes to bless The promised land enjoy; While such as fall beneath his curse He'll from the earth destroy.

Verse 23

The Lord directs the good man's steps Who loves his just command:

Verse 24

Though he should fall, yet shall he rise, Supported by thine hand.

Verse 25

Through youth and age, I never saw But righteous men were fed; Nor have their seed forsaken been, When asking for their bread.

Verse 26

He's ever merciful, and lends: And blessed is his race.

Verse 27

Depart from evil, and do good, And so prolong thy days.

Verse 28

For God loves judgment; he his saints Preserves, and ne'er forsakes; But the vile seed of wicked men, Destruction overtakes.

Verse 29

The righteous shall possess the land; There dwell as settled heirs.

Verse 30

His mouth of sacred wisdom speaks; Right things his tongue declares.

Verse 31

The law of God is in his heart; None of his steps shall stray.

Verse 32

The wicked watch, and seek by crafts, The righteous Mmn to slay.

Verse 33

But God ne'er leaves in wicked hands, His saints without defense; Nor their rash judgment e'er approves, But clears their innocence.

Verse 34

Wait on the Lord, and keep his way, And thine shall be the right To heir the land; when wicked men Shall perish in thy sight.

Verse 35

I've seen the wicked rise and spread As trees in native ground;

Verse 36

But lo! he vanished, root, and branch; When sought, could not be found.

Verse 37

Mark well the truly perfect man, And carefully attend The upright liver; and you'll find A blessed peace his end.

Verse 38

But bold transgressors surely shall One common ruin share: Vengeance, at last, will cut them off, Nor any wicked spare.

Verse 39

Whereas, the safety of the just, Is wholly from the Lord; Who, when the times most dangerous prove, Will strength to them afford.

Verse 40

The Lord will help and rescue them; He'll free them from the unjust; Them from their rage and power he'll save, Because in him they trust.