Psalms 37:7

7 ¹Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; ²fret not yourself over the one who ³prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!

Psalms 37:7 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 37:7

Rest in the Lord
Or "be silent to the Lord" ^F16; be still, and know that he is God; quietly submit to his will, and acquiesce in all the dispensations of his providence: it does not design a stupid indolence, or a stoical apathy, that we should be like sticks and stones, without any concern at the hand of God upon us; nor an entire silence under afflictions; we should own that they are of God, and that we are deserving of them; we should pray to him to sanctify them, to support under them, and deliver out of them; we should bless his name that they are no worse, and that they are any ways useful to us; and we should speak to others of the divine goodness experienced under them; but this stands opposed to an arraigning or murmuring at the providence of God, and intends a patient bearing the hand of God, and a resignation of will to his will; for it follows,

and wait patiently for him:
for the enjoyment of him, help from him, and deliverance by him;

fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of
the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass;
this explains the sense of ( Psalms 37:1 ) ; it being often an additional uneasiness to the people of God under affliction, when they observe the prosperity of men that go on in a sinful way, and have all or more than heart can wish; and whatever they contrive and devise, though wicked and criminal.

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FOOTNOTES:

F16 (hwhyl Mwd) "tace Domino", Pagninus, Montanus; "sile", Musculus, Piscator, Tigurine version, Cocceius, Gejerus, Michaelis; so Ainsworth.

Psalms 37:7 In-Context

5 Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act.

6 He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday.

7 Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!

8 Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil.

9 For the evildoers shall be cut off, but those who wait for the LORD shall inherit the land.

Cross References

• 1. [Psalms 62:1; Isaiah 30:15; Lamentations 3:26]
• 2. ver. 1
• 3. Jeremiah 12:1