Psalms37

Psalm 37 counsels against fretting over the temporary prosperity of the wicked, for their success is fleeting and they shall soon wither away. Instead, it exhorts the righteous to trust in the Lord, delight in Him, and commit their ways to Him. The psalm assures that the meek and upright shall inherit the earth and be sustained, while evildoers will be cut off and perish.

Do Not Fret, But Trust the Lord

1
Don’t fret because of evildoers, neither be envious against those who work unrighteousness. ​
2
For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither like the green herb. ​
3
Trust in the LORD, and do good. Dwell in the land, and enjoy safe pasture. ​
4
Also delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. ​
5
Commit your way to the LORD. Trust also in him, and he will do this: ​
6
he will make your righteousness go out as the light, and your justice as the noon day sun. ​

Rest in the Lord and Wait Patiently

7
Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him. Don’t fret because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who makes wicked plots happen. ​
8
Cease from anger, and forsake wrath. Don’t fret, it leads only to evildoing.
9
For evildoers shall be cut off, but those who wait for the LORD shall inherit the land. ​
10
For yet a little while, and the wicked will be no more. Yes, though you look for his place, he isn’t there.
11
But the humble shall inherit the land, and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. ​

The Short-Lived Triumph of the Wicked

12
The wicked plots against the just, and gnashes at him with his teeth.
13
The Lord will laugh at him, for he sees that his day is coming. ​
14
The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, to kill those who are upright on the path.
15
Their sword shall enter into their own heart. Their bows shall be broken.
16
Better is a little that the righteous has, than the abundance of many wicked. ​
17
For the arms of the wicked shall be broken, but the LORD upholds the righteous.
18
The LORD knows the days of the perfect. Their inheritance shall be forever. ​
19
They shall not be disappointed in the time of evil. In the days of famine they shall be satisfied.
20
But the wicked shall perish. The enemies of the LORD shall be like the beauty of the fields. They will vanish— vanish like smoke. ​

The Security and Provision of the Righteous

21
The wicked borrow, and don’t pay back, but the righteous give generously. ​
22
For such as are blessed by him shall inherit the land. Those who are cursed by him shall be cut off.
23
A man’s goings are established by the LORD. He delights in his way. ​
24
Though he stumble, he shall not fall, for the LORD holds him up with his hand.
25
I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his children begging for bread. ​
26
All day long he deals graciously, and lends. His seed is blessed.
27
Depart from evil, and do good. Live securely forever.
28
For the LORD loves justice, and doesn’t forsake his holy ones. They are preserved forever, but the children of the wicked shall be cut off. ​
29
The righteous shall inherit the land, and live in it forever.
30
The mouth of the righteous talks of wisdom. His tongue speaks justice. ​
31
The law of his God is in his heart. None of his steps shall slide. ​
32
The wicked watches the righteous, and seeks to kill him.
33
The LORD will not leave him in his hand, nor condemn him when he is judged.

Wait on the Lord and Observe His Justice

34
Wait for the LORD, and keep his way, and he will exalt you to inherit the land. When the wicked are cut off, you shall see it. ​
35
I have seen the wicked in great power, spreading himself like a green tree in its native soil.
36
But he passed away, and behold, he was not. Yes, I sought him, but he could not be found.
37
Mark the perfect man, and see the upright, for there is a future for the man of peace. ​
38
As for transgressors, they shall be destroyed together. The future of the wicked shall be cut off.
39
But the salvation of the righteous is from the LORD. He is their stronghold in the time of trouble. ​
40
The LORD helps them, and rescues them. He rescues them from the wicked, and saves them, Because they have taken refuge in him.

Study Notes for Psalms 37

Verse 1

This psalm, structured acrostically, addresses the ancient problem of theodicy: why the wicked prosper. David’s central instruction is to avoid envy or anxiety concerning evildoers, as these emotions tempt the believer toward sin.

Verse 2

The prosperity of the wicked is temporary, likened here to grass that quickly grows but soon withers. This metaphor emphasizes the fleeting nature of their success compared to eternity.

Verse 3

The remedy for anxiety is active faith: trust (internal dependence) and doing good (external action). The promise of dwelling in the land and provision reflects covenant blessings.

Verse 4

To 'delight thyself also in the LORD' means finding one’s deepest satisfaction in God alone. This alignment of the heart ensures that the resulting 'desires' are congruent with God's will.

Verse 5

The phrase 'Commit thy way' (Hebrew: *gōl*) literally means 'roll your burden upon' the LORD. It demands complete surrender and reliance on God’s sovereign plan.

Verse 6

Vindication is promised. God will make the righteousness of the afflicted believer shine forth clearly, like the brightness of the midday sun, assuring public justice.

Verse 7

The word 'Rest' (Hebrew: *dûm*) implies silence, submission, and quiet expectation before God. It is a command to stop striving and worrying about the immediate success of evil men.

Verse 9

This verse introduces the theme of inheritance, which is a major focus of the psalm. Those who wait on the LORD, remaining faithful, will receive the lasting covenant blessing.

Verse 11

The meek (*anawim*) are the humble, afflicted, and dependent upon God. Jesus quotes this verse in the Beatitudes (Matt 5:5), extending the promise of inheriting the earth to all future believers.

Verse 13

God’s reaction to the plotting of the wicked is derision. He laughs because, from His eternal perspective, the wicked’s day of judgment is already fixed and imminent.

Verse 16

This proverb contrasts the instability of great wicked wealth with the security and moral superiority of even a small amount possessed by a righteous person.

Verse 18

God intimately knows and watches over the entire lifespan of the upright. Their 'inheritance shall be for ever,' emphasizing the eternal security of the believer.

Verse 20

The fate of the wicked is consumption, likened to the smoke of sacrificial fat, signifying complete disappearance and destruction.

Verse 21

This verse illustrates the ethical contrast: the wicked are often morally bankrupt and exploitative, while the righteous are characterized by mercy and generosity.

Verse 23

The steps of the righteous are divinely guided (*ordered*). This assurance means that even when the path is difficult, it is ultimately pleasing to God.

Verse 25

David offers his personal, lifelong testimony to confirm the covenant promises of God regarding provision for the righteous and their descendants.

Verse 28

God loves judgment (justice) and faithfully preserves His saints. The contrast between the preservation of the righteous and the cutting off of the wicked underscores divine moral order.

Verse 30

The righteous person’s speech is a reflection of his inner life, characterized by wisdom and moral guidance (judgment).

Verse 31

This verse describes deep commitment: the law is internalized (*in his heart*), ensuring stability and obedience in his actions.

Verse 34

This final exhortation summarizes the psalm's theme: persevere in patience and obedience, and the believer will witness God’s final act of justice in exalting the faithful and destroying the wicked.

Verse 37

The reader is instructed to observe the final outcome (*end*) of the upright man. Despite temporary trials, his destiny is peace (*shalom*), wholeness, and security.

Verse 39

The psalm concludes with a declaration of theological dependence: salvation (deliverance from trouble) is ultimately a sovereign act of the LORD, rooted in the believer’s trust.

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