Psalms 37

Delight Yourself in the LORD

1

Of David.

1 Do not fret over those who do evil; ¹ do not envy those who do wrong.

2 For they wither quickly like grass and wilt like tender plants.

3 Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness.

4 Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart.

5 Commit your way to the LORD; trust in Him, and He will do it.

6 He will bring forth your righteousness like the dawn, your justice like the noonday sun.

7 Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for Him; do not fret when men prosper in their ways, when they carry out wicked schemes.

8 Refrain from anger and abandon wrath; do not fret—it can only bring harm.

9 For the evildoers will be cut off, but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land.

10 Yet a little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found.

11 But the meek will inherit the land ^[a] and delight in abundant prosperity.

12 The wicked scheme against the righteous and gnash their teeth at them,

13 but the Lord laughs, seeing that their day is coming.

14 The wicked have drawn the sword and bent the bow to bring down the poor and needy, to slay those whose ways are upright.

15 But their swords will pierce their own hearts, and their bows will be broken.

16 Better is the little of the righteous than the abundance of many who are wicked.

17 For the arms of the wicked will be broken, but the LORD upholds the righteous.

18 The LORD knows the days of the blameless, and their inheritance will last forever.

19 In the time of evil they will not be ashamed, and in the days of famine they will be satisfied.

20 But the wicked and enemies of the LORD will perish like the glory of the fields. They will vanish; like smoke they will fade away.

21 The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous are gracious and giving.

22 Surely those He blesses will inherit the land, but the cursed will be destroyed.

23 The steps of a man are ordered by the LORD who takes delight in his journey.

24 Though he falls, he will not be overwhelmed, for the LORD is holding his hand. ^[b]

25 I once was young and now am old, yet never have I seen the righteous abandoned or their children begging for bread.

26 They are ever generous and quick to lend, and their children are a blessing.

27 Turn away from evil and do good, so that you will abide forever.

28 For the LORD loves justice and will not forsake His saints. They are preserved forever, but the offspring of the wicked will be cut off.

29 The righteous will inherit the land and dwell in it forever.

30 The mouth of the righteous man utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks justice.

31 The law of his God is in his heart; his steps do not falter.

32 Though the wicked lie in wait for the righteous, and seek to slay them,

33 the LORD will not leave them in their power or let them be condemned under judgment.

34 Wait for the LORD and keep His way, and He will raise you up to inherit the land. When the wicked are cut off, you will see it.

35 I have seen a wicked, ruthless man flourishing like a well-rooted native tree,

36 yet he passed away and was no more; though I searched, he could not be found.

37 Consider the blameless and observe the upright, for posterity awaits the man of peace. ^[c]

38 But the transgressors will all be destroyed; the future of the wicked will be cut off.

39 The salvation of the righteous is from the LORD; He is their stronghold in time of trouble.

40 The LORD helps and delivers them; He rescues and saves them from the wicked, because they take refuge in Him.

Psalms 37 Commentary

Chapter 37

David persuades to patience and confidence in God, by the state of the godly and of the wicked.

Verses 1-6 When we look abroad we see the world full of evil-doers, that flourish and live in ease. So it was seen of old, therefore let us not marvel at the matter. We are tempted to fret at this, to think them the only happy people, and so we are prone to do like them: but this we are warned against. Outward prosperity is fading. When we look forward, with an eye of faith, we shall see no reason to envy the wicked. Their weeping and wailing will be everlasting. The life of religion is a believing trust in the Lord, and diligent care to serve him according to his will. It is not trusting God, but tempting him, if we do not make conscience of our duty to him. A man's life consists not in abundance, but, Thou shalt have food convenient for thee. This is more than we deserve, and it is enough for one that is going to heaven. To delight in God is as much a privilege as a duty. He has not promised to gratify the appetites of the body, and the humours of the fancy, but the desires of the renewed, sanctified soul. What is the desire of the heart of a good man? It is this, to know, and love, and serve God. Commit thy way unto the Lord; roll thy way upon the Lord, so the margin reads it. Cast thy burden upon the Lord, the burden of thy care. We must roll it off ourselves, not afflict and perplex ourselves with thoughts about future events, but refer them to God. By prayer spread thy case and all thy cares before the Lord, and trust in him. We must do our duty, and then leave the event with God. The promise is very sweet: He shall bring that to pass, whatever it is, which thou has committed to him.

Verses 7-20 Let us be satisfied that God will make all to work for good to us. Let us not discompose ourselves at what we see in this world. A fretful, discontented spirit is open to many temptations. For, in all respects, the little which is allotted to the righteous, is more comfortable and more profitable than the ill-gotten and abused riches of ungodly men. It comes from a hand of special love. God provides plentifully and well, not only for his working servants, but for his waiting servants. They have that which is better than wealth, peace of mind, peace with God, and then peace in God; that peace which the world cannot give, and which the world cannot have. God knows the believer's days. Not one day's work shall go unrewarded. Their time on earth is reckoned by days, which will soon be numbered; but heavenly happiness shall be for ever. This will be a real support to believers in evil times. Those that rest on the Rock of ages, have no reason to envy the wicked the support of their broken reeds.

Verses 21-33 The Lord our God requires that we do justly, and render to all their due. It is a great sin for those that are able, to deny the payment of just debts; it is a great misery not to be able to pay them. He that is truly merciful, will be ever merciful. We must leave our sins; learn to do well, and cleave to it. This is true religion. The blessing of God is the spring, sweetness, and security of all earthly enjoyments. And if we are sure of this, we are sure not to want any thing good for us in this world. By his grace and Holy Spirit, he directs the thoughts, affections, and designs of good men. By his providence he overrules events, so as to make their way plain. He does not always show them his way for a distance, but leads them step by step, as children are led. God will keep them from being ruined by their falls, either into sin or into trouble, though such as fall into sin will be sorely hurt. Few, if any, have known the consistent believer, or his children, reduced to abject, friendless want. God forsakes not his saints in affliction; and in heaven only the righteous shall dwell for ever; that will be their everlasting habitation. A good man may fall into the hands of a messenger of Satan, and be sorely buffeted, but God will not leave him in his enemy's hands.

Verses 34-40 Duty is ours, and we must mind it; but events are God's, we must refer the disposal of them to him. What a striking ( psalms 37:35-36 ) But God remarkably blights the projects of the prosperous wicked, especially persecutors. None are perfect in themselves, but believers are so in Christ Jesus. If all the saint's days continue dark and cloudy, his dying day may prove comfortable, and his sun set bright; or, if it should set under a cloud, yet his future state will be everlasting peace. The salvation of the righteous will be the Lord's doing. He will help them to do their duties, to bear their burdens; help them to bear their troubles well, and get good by them, and, in due time, will deliver them out of their troubles. Let sinners then depart from evil, and do good; repent of and forsake sin, and trust in the mercy of God through Jesus Christ. Let them take his yoke upon them, and learn of him, that they may dwell for evermore in heaven. Let us mark the closing scenes of different characters, and always depend on God's mercy.

Cross References

• 1. (1 Kings 2:1–9)

Footnotes

• [a]. Or the earth; see Matthew 5:5.
• [b]. Or upholds him with His hand
• [c]. Or for there is a future for the man of peace

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO PSALM 37

\\<<[A Psalm] of David>>\\. This psalm, it is very probable, was written at the same time, and upon the same occasion, with the former; and describes the different states of good and bad men; and is full of exhortations, instructions, and advice to the people of God; intermixed with various encouraging promises. A late learned writer {h} thinks it was written for Mephibosheth's consolation under Ziba's calumny. {h} Delaney's Life of King David, vol. 2. p. 219.