Psalm 37
A Psalm of David
Pt. 4

Ps 37:23-31

David takes a moment, almost a parenthesis, to affirm the reality that God does not cast away His people. This notion has gone by a number of names over time but the truth remains. The LORD (JHVH) is Faithful and True. He knows all about every one of His people long before He calls them and once He calls, there is nothing which can dissuade Him from saving them eternally.

23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.

This does not mean, of course, that His servant is an automaton, a robot, which is merely manipulated continually and against his will. It does mean that the God of Heaven is attentive to the path of every servant (Praise His Holy Name!) and does not abandon him/her.

The “delight” He has in the way of His servant does not suggest that the saint does not fail. The next verse affirms otherwise. Nor does it say that He is pleased when His child sins, He is not. It does mean that as He ‘orders’ the life He does it from the delight He has in every one of His own and that delight arises from the Finished Work of Jesus Christ which has Justified and Sanctified the believer so as to be acceptable in His sight.

24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.

Every one of His people will “fall.” There has not been one yet who has not. But the Lord will not allow failure to destroy even one of those for whom Christ died. When Peter was at his lowest moment, when he could not bear even to say out loud that he truly and deeply loved the Lord Jesus, after he had betrayed him three times and violated his own public commitment to him, even there Jesus said to him “feed my sheep.”

The Lord upholds His people even in failure so that they are not destroyed by their own sins. But be careful to remember we are not talking about religious hypocrites or counterfeit believers here, this statement is only true for the genuine child of God.

25 I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.

An amazing statement for a man to make in his late years who had seen as much as David had seen. I can add my own testimony to that. God takes care of his people.

26 He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed.

It is difficult to know if David is speaking of God or of His servant but it would be true of both. God and His people are merciful and kind. God’s seed is surely blessed though the seed of the righteous are a mixed bag. They are surely blessed for having had a godly one in their lives.

27 Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore.

Another admonition to “Repent!” Eternal life depends upon it which is the meaning of “for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Refusing to do this is the sin of the wicked manifested in an infinitely changing kaleidoscope of evil.

This command, advice and counsel echos down the halls of time to all of the sons of Adam, “depart from evil and do good.”

28 For the LORD loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.

The motivation for the saint to repent is the goodness of God.

Rom 2: 3 And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God? 4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?

Preservation and destruction are both real and Repentance is the dividing line between them. The Lord in His Infinite Wisdom through the Work of Jesus Christ has arranged that His love of Justice and His commitment to His people are both possible.

29 The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever.

O, but not just any land, they shall inherit the New Earth, a place “wherein dwelleth righteousness,” and they shall abide there in the Presence of God Forever!

30 The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment.

31 The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide.

This is true of the people of God. All others are impostors, frauds and counterfeits. They love God and their feet are kept from any ultimate slide into sin by the Abiding Care of their Heavenly Father.

What a Glorious and Wonderful God we serve!

— June 18, 2020