Psalms 37:0 ¶ A Psalm of David.
This is yet another psalm from the heart of David. We learn from verse 25 that he is writing this when he is an older man.
Psalms 37:1 ¶ Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.
Psalms 37:2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.
“fret” = “to glow or grow warm; figuratively (usually) to blaze up, of anger, zeal, jealousy”
David is basically telling us not to be jealous of those that seem to be getting away with doing evil and prospering and not let that fact provoke us to anger. He reminds us that the time of their judgment is sure.
It should be noted that David’s thoughts in these verses mirrored the thoughts of Asaph in Psalm 73.
Spurgeon: “Evil men instead of being envied, are to be viewed with horror and aversion; yet their loaded tables, and gilded trappings, are too apt to fascinate our poor half opened eyes. Who envies the fat bullock the ribbons and garlands which decorate him as he is led to the shambles? Yet the case is a parallel one; for ungodly rich men are but as beasts fattened for the slaughter.”
Psalms 37:3 Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.
Instead of fretting over evildoers, we should focus on trusting in the LORD and doing good so that we may reap the benefits of His provision. To trust in the LORD is to have faith that He can and will do what we cannot; He can and will provide what we can’t.
That’s so easy to say, yet so hard to do—especially when one is struggling with troubles in one’s own life. It’s hard not to make comparisons and wonder why God would allow evil men to prosper and His children suffer. That is why we have to keep our eyes on the LORD and the truth of His word. We know that the troubles of this world are nothing compared to the blessing that awaits us in eternity. We know that the riches of this life are not worth the misery of living an eternity in hell.
Romans 8:16–18 “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”
We must remember that the LORD told us that we would experience trouble in this world, but we will gain the victory in Him.
John 16:33 “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”
As Christians, we should also remember that the LORD will allow nothing in our lives that He does not intend to use for good.
Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”
Psalms 37:4 Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
To delight in the LORD is to take pleasure in His will, His truth. When you can sincerely say that is true in your life, the desires of your heart will align with His heart; and He will give accordingly.
Courson: “Asked how to discern God’s will, Augustine answered, ‘Love God with all your heart and do whatever you want.’ That is, if you’re loving God passionately—wanting to please, obey, and honor Him continually—you can do what you want because His plan will automatically be your desire.”
Guzik quoting Boice: “The reason many apparent Christians do not delight in God is that they do not know him very well, and the reason they do not know him very well is that they do not spend time with him.”
Psalms 37:5 Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
The Hebrew for “commit” was interesting; it referenced rolling together. It’s another way of expressing trust, of saying that you choose to make His will your will—they are rolled together. Scripture is clear that His will always comes to pass.
Isaiah 46:9–10 “Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure….”
Psalms 37:6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.
Those that trust in the LORD will be revealed as righteous and justified before creation.
Romans 8:19 “For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.”
Colossians 3:3–4 “For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.”
Psalms 37:7 ¶ 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.
Psalms 37:8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.
I liked this definition from Webster for “rest”: “freedom from everything which wearies or disturbs; peace.” “Patience” is a reference to enduring pain and suffering while remaining calm and content. The psalmist is telling us again not to let the prosperity of the wicked disturb our peace and not to let it cause us worry or stress. He tells us to stop being angry because that can lead to doing evil yourself. That only results in harm to yourself.
The Hebrew for “rest” states “to be dumb…be silent….” To rest in the LORD is to refrain from complaining and wait patiently for Him to act in judgment against the wicked.
Psalms 37:9 For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth.
Psalms 37:10 For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be.
Psalms 37:11 But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.
David reminds us that evildoers will be destroyed, but those that have faith in the LORD will inherit the earth. One day the wicked will be destroyed and will no longer be a problem to you. Those who humble themselves before the LORD will inherit the earth and delight in the prosperity of God’s peace when He establishes His kingdom and rules from the throne of David.
Matthew 5:5 “Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.”
“yet a little while” - It’s all a matter of perspective. From God’s perspective—about which the psalmist seems aware—it is but a little while.
Psalms 90:4 “For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night.”
Psalms 37:12 The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth.
Psalms 37:13 The Lord shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming.
The wicked always look for ways to cause trouble for those that are just, that seek to follow the LORD in faith and obedience. God looks at these people with scorn; He looks forward to their day of judgment.
Psalms 37:14 The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, and to slay such as be of upright conversation.
Psalms 37:15 Their sword shall enter into their own heart, and their bows shall be broken.
The wicked always look to take advantage of the poor and needy and to get rid of those who live righteously before God. They will soon find that their evil intentions will result in their own destruction.
Psalms 37:16 A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked.
Psalms 37:17 For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the LORD upholdeth the righteous.
Psalms 37:18 The LORD knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be for ever.
It is far better to have little and be righteous than to be rich and wicked. The LORD will one day reverse the situation. The wicked will lose their power; they will lose their ability to inflict harm. The LORD will establish and sustain the righteous in peace, and they will enjoy an inheritance from the LORD for eternity.
We who have been declared righteous in Jesus are joint-heirs with Christ and will share in all the blessings of His inheritance.
2 Corinthians 5:21 “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”
Romans 8:16–17 “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.”
Psalms 37:19 They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.
The LORD will not disappoint those that trust in Him during times of adversity and grief. He will provide for His own in days of lack.
Sometimes these truths are difficult to embrace at face value when we know of Christians that are suffering and in need. I think that is when it is most important for us to remember that the child of faith has aligned his/her will with God’s will and that we don’t understand all His ways. His promises are true! Yet, God’s way of keeping those promises often don’t align with our timing or expectations.
Isaiah 55:8–9 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
Psalms 37:20 But the wicked shall perish, and the enemies of the LORD shall be as the fat of lambs: they shall consume; into smoke shall they consume away.
The wicked shall perish. The enemies of the LORD will be like the fat of the lambs that are sacrificed and is completely consumed and disappears like smoke.
Psalms 37:21 ¶ The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth.
Psalms 37:22 For such as be blessed of him shall inherit the earth; and they that be cursed of him shall be cut off.
David shares another difference between those that are wicked and those that are righteous. The wicked are takers that borrow with no intention of paying their debt, while the righteous are givers that are generous and merciful. Those that are blessed by the LORD (the righteous) will inherit the earth. Those that are cursed by the LORD will be destroyed.
Psalms 37:23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.
Psalms 37:24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.
The word for “steps” makes reference to companionship. When a person is walking in companionship with the LORD, he is walking with delight and desire to please the LORD. Though he may stumble along the way, he will not stay down because the LORD will lift him up and sustain him with His strength.
Spurgeon: “Sorrow may bring us to the earth, and death may bring us to the grave, but lower we cannot sink, and out of the lowest of all we shall arise to the highest of all.”
Psalms 37:25 I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.
Psalms 37:26 He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed.
David notes that he is no longer a young man. In his experience, he has never seen the righteous man forsaken by the LORD or his family reduced to beggary. The LORD is ever merciful and kind and abides with that person and blesses his family.
Psalms 37:27 Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore.
Psalms 37:28 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.
Psalms 37:29 The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever.
David warns us to stay away from evil and choose to do good—as defined by the word of God—throughout life. The LORD loves justice and will not forsake those that trust in Him. His saints can look forward to everlasting life in His presence; the wicked, however, face eternal destruction. Righteous saints will inherit the earth and dwell there for eternity.
Psalms 37:30 The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment.
Psalms 37:31 The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide.
David describes the righteous person as one that speaks wisdom and promotes justice because he treasures God’s law and lives accordingly.
Psalms 37:32 The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him.
Psalms 37:33 The LORD will not leave him in his hand, nor condemn him when he is judged.
The wicked are infuriated by the life of the righteous, so they seek to destroy them. The LORD will not abandon or condemn the righteous man.
NIV Commentary: “The ungodly cannot tolerate true piety. They can readily dismiss the hypocrite, the fake, and the enthusiast, but the living faith of the wise evokes furious reprisal.”
Psalms 37:34 ¶ Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.
The Hebrew for “wait” implies bound together in expectation. As we wait upon the LORD, we should follow Him in obedience. The reward will be to inherit the land. We will be witnesses when the wicked are finally destroyed.
We should be waiting together in expectation to see prophecy fulfilled since the signs of the times surround us. One day soon Jesus is coming to take us home; and soon after that, we will return with Him to witness the defeat of the forces of evil and the establishment of His kingdom. This expectation is the greatest motivation in striving to live in obedience to the LORD.
Psalms 37:35 I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree.
Psalms 37:36 Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found.
David admits to seeing wicked men in power, prospering with far reaching influence as pictured by a green bay tree. Yet, one thing is sure—They always pass off the scene in death never to be found again.
Psalms 37:37 Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace.
Psalms 37:38 But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off.
David urges us to take note of the person that lives a clean life and is morally upright, because that man’s destiny is one of peace. However, the future of those who choose to rebel against the LORD in disobedience to live wicked lives is one of destruction. To be perfect (undefiled) and upright (just) are traits that can only be attributed to those that follow the LORD in faith and obedience.
Psalms 37:39 But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble.
Psalms 37:40 And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him.
The LORD provides salvation to those that are righteous and choose to follow Him in faith and obedience. He is their help and strength in time of trouble. He will deliver them from the wicked and save them. Why? Because they trust in Him.
That last point is the key. The LORD delivers those that trust in Him. The LORD works all things together for good for those that love Him.
Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God….”
These promises in scripture that we often quote so glibly come with the caveat that we trust the LORD, that we love Him. And we all know that our actions are the proof of such faith and love.
Psalms 38:0 ¶ A Psalm of David, to bring to remembrance.
This psalm of David is titled as a psalm “to bring to remembrance.” As I read through the psalm, it seems to be a reference to the fact that David wants God to remember him; he needs God’s deliverance.
Psalms 38:1 ¶ O LORD, rebuke me not in thy wrath: neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure.
As I read through this psalm, it appears that David is sick in body and soul because of some sin. Verse 12 indicates that he feels his life is in danger. So, as he starts to pray, he asks that the LORD not deal with him in wrath or anger.
I think we can safely infer from many of his other psalms that he is asking God for mercy. In fact, Psalm 6 opens the same way as this psalm, and other psalms often depict David asking God to deal with him in mercy.
Psalms 6:1-2 “O LORD, rebuke me not in thine anger, neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure. Have mercy upon me, O LORD; for I am weak: O LORD, heal me; for my bones are vexed.”
Psalms 25:16 “Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me; for I am desolate and afflicted.”
Psalms 51:1 “Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.”
Psalms 38:2 For thine arrows stick fast in me, and thy hand presseth me sore.
Psalms 38:3 There is no soundness in my flesh because of thine anger; neither is there any rest in my bones because of my sin.
David paints a word picture of how he feels, how God has wounded and broken him in body and soul. He feels that God has dealt with his sin in anger, causing his whole body to suffer in pain.
We should note that a consequence of sin can result in physical suffering; however, it is not true that all physical suffering is a consequence of a person’s sin.
John 9:2–3 “And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.”
John 11:3–4 “Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick. When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.”
All physical suffering is a result of sin in general because of the onset of physical deterioration and the wickedness that was born in men’s hearts in consequence of Adam’s sin.
Spurgeon: “Mental depression tells upon the bodily frame; it is enough to create and foster every disease, and is in itself the most painful of all diseases. Soul sickness tells upon the entire frame; it weakens the body, and then bodily weakness reacts upon the mind.”
Psalms 38:4 For mine iniquities are gone over mine head: as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me.
Psalms 38:5 My wounds stink and are corrupt because of my foolishness.
Psalms 38:6 I am troubled; I am bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day long.
Psalms 38:7 For my loins are filled with a loathsome disease: and there is no soundness in my flesh.
Psalms 38:8 I am feeble and sore broken: I have roared by reason of the disquietness of my heart.
It seems that David’s physical suffering is due to wounds that stink and suffer, e.g., leprosy, boils and ulcers. David is quick to identify foolish sin as the cause of his suffering. He is depressed in spirit and is in mourning the whole day. The Hebrew for “mourning” indicates that he is wearing sackcloth or garments of mourning. The sickness seems to affect his whole body. His body is weak to the point of collapse, and he moans and groans in anguish and distress.
Gill re verse 4: “Like an inundation of waters, as the waves and billows of the sea; for the waters to come up to the neck or chin shows great danger; but when they go over the head the case is desperate, and a person is sinking and drowning….”
Spurgeon: “It is well when sin is an intolerable load, and when the remembrance of our sins burdens us beyond endurance.”
Guzik quoting Horne: “Sin is the wound of the soul, which must be washed with the tears of repentance, cleansed by the blood of Christ, and healed by the Spirit of the Holy One.”
Psalms 38:9 Lord, all my desire is before thee; and my groaning is not hid from thee.
Psalms 38:10 My heart panteth, my strength faileth me: as for the light of mine eyes, it also is gone from me.
David acknowledges that God knows all that he is suffering both in body and spirit. He basically feels like he is at the end of his rope, so to speak. Either his vision has been affected or he is saying that all happiness is gone from him—or both.
Spurgeon: “Blessed be God, he reads the longings of our hearts; nothing can be hidden from him; what we cannot tell to him he perfectly understands.”
Psalms 38:11 My lovers and my friends stand aloof from my sore; and my kinsmen stand afar off.
Psalms 38:12 ¶ They also that seek after my life lay snares for me: and they that seek my hurt speak mischievous things, and imagine deceits all the day long.
Everyone, including those closest to him, are avoiding David, presumably because of the stink; or maybe because they can’t stand to see him in such agony. Evidently, his suffering has his enemies looking to take advantage of his situation to get rid of him, using slander and devising plots against him.
Spurgeon: “Bad men never have enough of evil. They compass sea and land to injure a saint; no labour is too severe, no cost too great if they may utterly destroy the innocent.”
Psalms 38:13 But I, as a deaf man, heard not; and I was as a dumb man that openeth not his mouth.
Psalms 38:14 Thus I was as a man that heareth not, and in whose mouth are no reproofs.
I am not sure what David is saying. Is he pretending not to hear or know what is going on and refusing to speak out in his own defense? Is he saying that others are treating him like he is deaf and dumb? Is it both?
Psalms 38:15 For in thee, O LORD, do I hope: thou wilt hear, O Lord my God.
Psalms 38:16 For I said, Hear me, lest otherwise they should rejoice over me: when my foot slippeth, they magnify themselves against me.
Psalms 38:17 For I am ready to halt, and my sorrow is continually before me.
Psalms 38:18 For I will declare mine iniquity; I will be sorry for my sin.
In spite of his sin and suffering, David has placed his hope in the LORD, and he is confident that God will hear him. Note that he still recognizes the LORD as “his” God. He begs the LORD to hear him and not let his enemies rejoice over him and gain the victory over him because of his situation. His physical condition is growing worse, and he is suffering great anguish because of sin that he readily confesses.
Spurgeon: “Hope in God's intervention, and belief in the power of prayer, are two most blessed stays to the soul in time of adversity.”
Guzik: “David chose to allow his affliction to press him toward God instead of away from the God who was his only hope.”
I liked this quote from JFB: “Consciousness of sin makes suffering pungent, and suffering, rightly received, leads to confession.”
Psalms 38:19 But mine enemies are lively, and they are strong: and they that hate me wrongfully are multiplied.
Psalms 38:20 They also that render evil for good are mine adversaries; because I follow the thing that good is.
His enemies, on the other hand, are vigorous and strong; and their numbers seems to be multiplying. They are the kind of men that repay good with evil, so it seems that David had treated his enemies well. They resent David because he tried to do what is good before the LORD.
Psalms 38:21 Forsake me not, O LORD: O my God, be not far from me.
Psalms 38:22 Make haste to help me, O Lord my salvation.
David begs the LORD not to forsake him. He pleads with the LORD for his help and deliverance.
I liked the way Ironsides summarized the psalm: “Over the first four verses we might write the word “Conviction.” We have the expression here of a convicted soul, of a man who is not trying to make excuses for his sins…. Over verses 5 to 14 we may write the word, “Humiliation.” As he continues looking into his own heart, as he continues dwelling upon the sin that has crushed his life, he is bowed down before God in a sense of deepest humiliation…. From the 15th to the 20th verse we have his confession…. In the last two verses he expresses his confidence….”