Summary
We live in a time in the Western World where it appears that the wicked prosper and the righteous suffer. The vulnerable and oppressed are walked over, God and his Church are marginalised and mocked, and immoral thoughts and deeds are celebrated by the cultural elites and media.
Faced with this appearance, it seems tempting to sell up and move to the rural Manawatu where we can insulate ourselves and our children. But Psalm 37, a wisdom psalm, reminds us of the ultimate fate of the wicked and the righteous, and encourages us to trust in God while we await the end result.
Our passage explained
v1-9
Firstly, Psalm 37 encourages us to trust in God. Beginning with a negative command, we are encouraged not to fret or be envious of evildoers, “for they will soon fade like the grass and wither like the green herb” (vv.1-2).
Instead we should “trust in the LORD”, committing ourselves to following him and his commands, delighting in God who will cause us to ultimately prosper (vv.3-4). These thoughts are repeated in verses five and six, where trusting God will see our cause flourish.
Instead of anger at the wicked’s prosperity, we should wait on God to act, and not fret, as it only stirs up sin in our own hearts (vv.7-8). We should remember that evildoers will face death and judgement, while “those who wait for the LORD shall inherit the land” (v.9).
v10-26
Secondly, the psalm describes the fates of the wicked and the righteous. The seeming prosperity of the wicked will soon (from eternal perspective) be upended in their death, while the meek will inherit God’s promises (vv.10-11). Anger and aggression towards God’s people is characteristic of the wicked, but “the Lord laughs at the wicked” (vv.12-13) because he causes their weapons to turn on them (vv.14-15).
Instead, it is better to be righteous and have little than much in your wickedness, because of the fate of each (vv.16-17). God will meet the needs of his people, even in times of suffering, but the wicked will perish in God’s wrath (vv.18-20). This is evident in how the wicked borrow greatly but will not repay, breaking the eighth commandment, while the righteous are generous in giving because God provides their needs and more (vv.21-2).
God ultimately ensures that the righteous are upheld, so even if they stumble and fall he lifts them up rather than leaving them face down in the dirt (vv.23-4). The psalmist has seen this in his own long lifetime, as God has ensured the righteous are never completely forsaken and their children left “begging for bread” because there is none to support them (v.25). The righteous are known by their acts of mercy (lending generously which was without interest, v.26).
v27-40
Thirdly the psalm discusses the marks of the righteous. The righteous are encouraged to turn from sin and do good; because God is just, and preserves his people so they may dwell with him forever (vv.27-9). The righteous person speaks wisdom and justice from dwelling on God’s word, his feet not slipping (vv.30-31). For this, while the wicked seek his harm, God ensures the righteous are acquitted (vv.32-3).
The psalm concludes with an encouragement to wait on God to deliver. Again, the psalm encourages waiting on God and following him, for the righteous will be blessed and watch the destruction of the wicked (vv.34, 37-8). The psalmist recalls his own personal experience of this truth, describing the passing of a wicked man who sought his own success (vv.35-6).
While we may fret and grow angry, seeking to right injustice ourselves, the psalm closes by reminding us that God saves and protects the righteous (v.39). He helps and delivers them because they trust in God to save them from the wicked (v.40). Therefore, we should wait for God to act, trusting in God to fulfill his promises.
Our passage applied
In this psalm we see a wise reminder to put the present troubles of our day in perspective. While our natural response is to worry or to anger at the evildoers, this psalm reminds us to trust in God for deliverance. We should instead be marked by characteristics of that trust – doing good, speaking wisdom and justice derived from soaking in God’s word, and enjoying his good gifts.
This psalm reminds us that God is almighty and sovereign, working out his plans. The wicked cannot resist him, but will receive punishment in due course for their sin. God will uphold his people, ensuring their eternal safety. The outcome for each group is certain, even if it does not appear that way today.
We also see promises in this psalm of God’s love and care for us. God will not leave us to the plans of the wicked, but ensure our deliverance and safety. Though we go through troubles now, these are only for a time and will not lead to our ultimate demise. The wicked will fade like the grass, but the meek will inherit the earth.
Psalm 37 has inspired different recent musical adaptations. These include “Settled” (Psalm 37:1-11) by the Psalter Project and two pieces by the Sons of Korah – Psalm 37(1) – Shine Like the Dawn and Psalm 37(2) – Be Still Before The Lord
Resources
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