Read
Psalm 37:27
Depart from evil, and do good. Live securely forever.
25I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his children begging for bread.
26All day long he deals graciously, and lends. His offspring is blessed.
27Depart from evil, and do good. Live securely forever.
28For the LORD loves justice, and doesn’t forsake his saints. They are preserved forever, but the children of the wicked shall be cut off.
29The righteous shall inherit the land, and live in it forever.
Notice
“Depart” and “do” make goodness an active change of direction, while “forever” links the choices of a day with the promise of lasting security.
Questions to write on. Each one opens a new entry with this verse already attached.
Where, if anywhere, do you face a choice between departing from evil and staying with it?
Write on thisWhat good could you do in that same situation?
Write on thisWhat questions arise when you read “Live securely forever” alongside the command to do good?
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Where else Scripture says this
12 passages readers most often link with this verse, and the thread each one shares with it.
This verse's connections, by chapterThe Bible's strongest chapter linksHover or tap a book to trace it
Psalm 34:14Depart from evil, and do good. Seek peace, and pursue it.Both say, “Depart from evil, and do good,” with Psalm 34 adding the command to seek and pursue peace.
3 John 1:11Beloved, don’t imitate that which is evil, but that which is good. He who does good is of God. He who does evil hasn’t seen God.Both join the rejection of evil with doing good; John also addresses whose example a person follows.
Galatians 6:10So then, as we have opportunity, let’s do what is good toward all men, and especially toward those who are of the household of the faith.Both command doing good, and Galatians identifies its recipients as all people, with special attention to fellow believers.
Proverbs 16:6By mercy and truth iniquity is atoned for. By the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.Both speak of departing from evil, with Proverbs naming the fear of the LORD as the reason people turn away.
1 Thessalonians 5:15See that no one returns evil for evil to anyone, but always follow after that which is good for one another and for all.Both connect refusing evil with pursuing good; Thessalonians applies that direction to retaliation and the treatment of others.
1 John 2:16–17For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—isn’t the Father’s, but is the world’s.Both identify something to reject: the psalm names evil, while John names desires and pride that do not come from the Father.
Isaiah 1:16Wash yourselves. Make yourself clean. Put away the evil of your doings from before my eyes. Cease to do evil.Both command a break with evil; Isaiah describes that break as washing, becoming clean, and putting away evil deeds.
Psalm 18:23I was also blameless with him. I kept myself from my iniquity.Both address turning from wrongdoing: Psalm 37 commands departure from evil, and Psalm 18 describes keeping oneself from iniquity.
Hebrews 13:16But don’t forget to be doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.Both command doing good, while Hebrews names sharing as a concrete act that pleases God.
1 Peter 3:11Let him turn away from evil and do good. Let him seek peace and pursue it.Both pair turning away from evil with doing good, and Peter adds seeking and pursuing peace.
2 Timothy 2:19However, God’s firm foundation stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let every one who names the name of the Lord depart from …Both command departure from wrongdoing; the surrounding psalm and Timothy also affirm God’s care for those who belong to him.
Titus 2:11–14For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men,The link is broad: the psalm speaks of enduring security, while Titus speaks of salvation brought by God’s grace.
Where this verse fits
Temptation. fear for the future. an ordinary day.
One step
Something small to carry out of this verse
Encouragement
Doing good may still cost you something today. In the surrounding lines, lasting security rests on YHWH, who loves justice and does not forsake his saints.
Now put it in your words.
Start an entry on Psalm 37:27. Write what it stirs. Psalmlog sets your words beside Scripture and gives you one next step. Your first entry is free, no account needed.
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Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY). Scripture from the World English Bible (public domain). Arc diagram after Chris Harrison and Christoph Römhild (2007).