Psalm 37
A Psalm of David
Pt. 1

Ps 37:1-2
“Verse 1-2. The bond of connection between Ps 36 and 37 is their similarity of contents, which here and there extends even to accords of expression. The fundamental thought running through the whole Psalm is at once expressed in the opening verses: Do not let the prosperity of the ungodly be a source of vexation to thee, but wait on the Lord; for the prosperity of the ungodly will suddenly come to an end, and the issue determines between the righteous and the unrighteous….This fundamental thought the poet does not expand in strophes of ordinary compass, but in shorter utterances of the proverbial form following the order of the letters of the alphabet, and not without some repetitions and recurrences to a previous thought, in order to impress it still more convincingly and deeply upon the mind.” (from Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament: New Updated Edition, Electronic Database. Copyright (c) 1996 by Hendrickson Publishers, Inc.)

In other words the Psalm consists of a series of statements dealing with the general principle that wickedness is punished and righteousness is rewarded and blessed. It really seems to be composed of thoughts the righteous should keep in mind in times of trouble.

1 Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. 2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.

Though the lag time between the doing of evil and the punishment for it may seem to lag, sometimes interminably, the connection between them is certain. It is a natural and human reaction to become disturbed, sometimes violently so, when “the workers of iniquity” begin to act out their natures. Rarely does this ever happen without those who are innocent being harmed
in some way by their actions. If only they (the evil-doers) were victims, one might content himself with the idea, “at least they aren’t harming others,” but that is almost never the case.

The godly person cannot stop wicked people from doing wicked things and he cannot right the wrongs they perpetrate, so he must file away in his memory the fact that his God can and will bring every sin and every sinner into Judgment and there will come a day when He rights all of the wrongs, setting the innocent in His care never to be harmed again.

3 Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. 4 Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

Those who actually care about such things, those who “Trust in the Lord,” must remain committed to the doing of good. Satan, who is at the back of all acts of evil, likes to use a double edged sword, one with which to do harm to the righteous and the other to draw them off of their commitment to the Lord and entice them to do evil.

Twice David was tempted to end Saul’s life himself and well could have cut short his days of suffering, but he refused. This matter, he was convinced, was of the Lord and he would have none of the idea of raising his hand against the Lord’s anointed. Those who love God must steel themselves by His Grace to continue on in the path of Righteousness though all Hell break loose around them. Was that not what our Lord did always and especially on that Last Day? His confidence was in His Father that His Sovereign Will was going to be accomplished and He, Jesus, could rest safely in continuing to do His assigned task.

5 Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. 6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.

There is the suggestion here of the theme from the previous Psalm, the accusations of liars against the righteous, which David believed would ultimately be proven false. But, there is also the continuing theme of commitment to righteousness in the midst of upheaval and wrongs being
committed against one’s person.

7 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. 8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil. 9 For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth.

Whenever the child of God finds himself in the midst of evil he is encouraged to keep to the path of Righteousness, “rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him.” The prosperity and seeming success of the wicked is only and always temporary. We are to set our minds to avoid entering
the fray if at all possible but rather to turn from anger and keep ourselves from fretting.

Judgment is coming and it is ONLY those who “wait upon the LORD (YHVH)” who will inherit the good things He has for those who abide in His Presence. “The earth” is a euphemism for all of the good things He has for those who abide faithful.

1 Cor 2:9-10
9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

Wait, I say, on the Lord.

— June 3, 2020