Psalm 37 Study Notes

37:20 Pastures recalls the same image as “grass” in v. 2. The word smoke conveys the same notion of transience (68:2; 102:3; Is 51:6).

37:21-22 The generosity of the righteous comes from the Lord’s gracious acts toward them. God will provide for their needs to such an extent that they will be able to help others (Dt 15:6; 28:12,44). This idea is further developed in Ps 37:25-26 (cp. Ps 112).

37:23-24 Figuratively, established refers to security and stability, and steps are related to one’s way of life, often represented as a path or road. Therefore, the Lord is the one who brings about a person’s stability in life.

37:25-26 The principle of v. 21 is part of the psalmist’s life experience and not just empty words.

37:27 To persevere in righteousness requires an intentional turning from evil and choosing holiness.

37:28 Safety is sometimes related to the image of the Lord as a strong fortress or tower (Pr 18:10).

37:29 Inheriting the land is a major emphasis in this psalm. See also vv. 9,11,22,34.

37:30-31 Instruction is the Hebrew word torah (see note at 1:2). The idea of the Lord’s instruction being in the heart has theological significance in its relation to the new covenant (Jr 31:33; Ezk 36:27). Even before the benefits of that covenant occur, the people of God are known as those “in whose heart is my instruction” (Is 51:7). True devotion of God’s people is evident in the heart and not just in outward actions.

Mishpat, related to shaphat, judge, occurs in Ugaritic and Phoenician as “authority, government.” Mishpat denotes (rendering) judgment (Dt 16:18), verdict (Dt 17:11), sentence, or settlement. It means justice (Ex 23:6) or vindication (Ps 17:2), appearing as just, honest (Pr 16:11), justly, or fairly (Ps 112:5). It signifies ordinance (Ex 15:25), regulation, or law. It is just decision (Jb 29:14), decision, just cause (Ps 9:4), or cause. It implies lawsuit (Hs 10:4), case, trial, or court (Jb 22:4). It is rights (Dt 21:17) and what is just or right. It indicates way (Jos 6:15), custom, practice, standard (Ezk 7:27), and right or proper procedure. Mishpat suggests requirement (Jr 8:7), claim, specification, prescription, assignment, share, and responsibility. It means measurement (Ezk 42:11), order, and proper site (Jr 30:18). It connotes crime (Ezk 7:23), charge, punishment (Zph 3:15), or penalty. It is what one commands (Zph 2:3) or the way people are judged.

37:32-33 On the wicked and the righteous, see note at v. 14.

37:34 See note on v. 29.

37:35 I have seen is a common expression in Wisdom literature to indicate that what follows is from personal experience (Jb 5:3; Pr 7:6; 24:32; Ec 2:1). A flourishing . . . tree is an image generally referring to the righteous (see note at 1:3), but here the situation is different in that it seems the wicked have the stability (well-rooted) in life that only the righteous are supposed to have.

37:36 The appearance of stability in v. 35 was an illusion (v. 10).

37:37-38 Future is equivalent to “destiny,” “end,” or “fate” (73:17; Nm 23:10; Dt 32:29). This reinforces the idea that perception is not reality since the upright and transgressors have different fates.

37:39-40 The psalm ends with a statement of confidence and certainty, in contrast to the agitation and envy in v. 1.