A Psalm for Pay Day

Do not fret because of the wicked;
do not be envious of wrongdoers,
for they will soon fade like the grass,
and wither like the green herb.

Trust in the Lord, and do good;
so you will live in the land, and enjoy security.
Take delight in the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Commit your way to the Lord;
trust in him, and he will act.
He will make your vindication shine like the light,
and the justice of your cause like the noonday.

Be still before the Lord, and wait patiently for him;
do not fret over those who prosper in their way,
over those who carry out evil devices...

Better is a little that the righteous person has
than the abundance of many wicked.
For the arms of the wicked shall be broken,
but the Lord upholds the righteous.

The Lord knows the days of the blameless,
and their heritage will abide forever;
they are not put to shame in evil times,
in the days of famine they have abundance.

I have been young, and now am old,
yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken
or their children begging bread.

They are ever giving liberally and lending,
and their children become a blessing...

The salvation of the righteous is from the Lord;
he is their refuge in the time of trouble.

The Lord helps them and rescues them;
he rescues them from the wicked, and saves them,
because they take refuge in him.

(Psalm 37, NRSV)