Salmos 37

1 NO te impacientes á causa de los malignos, Ni tengas envidia de los que hacen iniquidad.

2 Porque como hierba serán presto cortados, Y decaerán como verdor de renuevo.

3 Espera en Jehová, y haz bien; Vivirás en la tierra, y en verdad serás alimentado.

4 Pon asimismo tu delicia en Jehová, Y él te dará las peticiones de tu corazón.

5 Encomienda á Jehová tu camino, Y espera en él; y él hará.

6 Y exhibirá tu justicia como la luz, Y tus derechos como el medio día.

7 Calla á Jehová, y espera en él: No te alteres con motivo del que prospera en su camino, Por el hombre que hace maldades.

8 Déjate de la ira, y depón el enojo: No te excites en manera alguna á hacer lo malo.

9 Porque los malignos serán talados, Mas los que esperan en Jehová, ellos heredarán la tierra.

10 Pues de aquí á poco no será el malo: Y contemplarás sobre su lugar, y no parecerá.

11 Pero los mansos heredarán la tierra, Y se recrearán con abundancia de paz.

12 Maquina el impío contra el justo, Y cruje sobre él sus dientes.

13 El Señor se reirá de él; Porque ve que viene su día.

14 Los impíos desenvainaron espada, y entesaron su arco, Para derribar al pobre y al menesteroso, Para matar á los de recto proceder.

15 La espada de ellos entrará en su mismo corazón, Y su arco será quebrado.

16 Mejor es lo poco del justo, Que las riquezas de muchos pecadores.

17 Porque los brazos de los impíos serán quebrados: Mas el que sostiene á los justos es Jehová.

18 Conoce Jehová los días de los perfectos: Y la heredad de ellos será para siempre.

19 No serán avergonzados en el mal tiempo; Y en los días de hambre serán hartos.

20 Mas los impíos perecerán, Y los enemigos de Jehová como la grasa de los carneros Serán consumidos: se disiparán como humo.

21 El impío toma prestado, y no paga; Mas el justo tiene misericordia, y da.

22 Porque los benditos de él heredarán la tierra; Y los malditos de él serán talados.

23 Por Jehová son ordenados los pasos del hombre, Y aprueba su camino.

24 Cuando cayere, no quedará postrado; Porque Jehová sostiene su mano.

25 Mozo fuí, y he envejecido, Y no he visto justo desamparado, Ni su simiente que mendigue pan.

26 En todo tiempo tiene misericordia, y presta; Y su simiente es para bendición.

27 Apártate del mal, y haz el bien, Y vivirás para siempre.

28 Porque Jehová ama la rectitud, Y no desampara sus santos: Mas la simiente de los impíos será extirpada.

29 Los justos heredarán la tierra, Y vivirán para siempre sobre ella.

30 La boca del justo hablara sabiduría; Y su lengua proferirá juicio.

31 La ley de su Dios está en su corazón; Por tanto sus pasos no vacilarán.

32 Acecha el impío al justo, Y procura matarlo.

33 Jehová no lo dejará en sus manos, Ni lo condenará cuando le juzgaren.

34 Espera en Jehová, y guarda su camino, Y él te ensalzará para heredar la tierra: Cuando serán talados los pecadores, lo verás.

35 Vi yo al impío sumamente ensalzado, Y que se extendía como un laurel verde.

36 Empero pasóse, y he aquí no parece; Y busquélo, y no fué hallado.

37 Considera al íntegro, y mira al justo: Que la postrimería de cada uno de ellos es paz.

38 Mas los transgresores fueron todos á una destruídos: La postrimería de los impíos fué talada.

39 Pero la salvación de los justos es de Jehová, Y él es su fortaleza en el tiempo de angustia.

40 Y Jehová los ayudará, Y los librará: y libertarálos de los impíos, y los salvará, Por cuanto en él esperaron.

Salmos 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.

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.