Exposition of Psalm 37 (1)
Verses 1-8

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The author of this psalm is David, for the superscription identifies it as "A psalm of David". The occasion of this psalm is unknown except that David composed it in his latter years, for he confesses, "I have been young, and now am old" (v.25). The reason for this psalm is David's contemplations of the wicked, and how he should conduct himself regarding them (v.1). The type of this psalm is alphabetical, employing the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet at the beginning of every other verse (e.g., vv.1, 3, 5), although exceptions are found (e.g., vv.7, 20, 29, 34). The psalmist perhaps did not intend any divisions in this psalm, although we may detect 1. a warning to the righteous regarding the wicked (vv.1f), 2. the antidote for fretting over the wicked and envying their prosperity (vv.3-8), 3. the contrast between the righteous and the wicked (vv.9-40). We here will observe the first two sections.

I. A warning to the righteous regarding the wicked (vv.1-2). The persons here considered are "evildoers" (v.1a) and "workers of iniquity" (v.1b). These are those who reject Jehovah and act contrary to His will – as in "Alas, sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a brood of evildoers, children who are corrupters! They have forsaken the LORD, they have provoked to anger The Holy One of Israel, they have turned away backward" (Isaiah 1:4). They are also identified in Psalm 22:16 with the "congregation of the wicked" who crucified Christ, and despised and reproached and ridiculed Him (vv.6-8), and divided His garments among themselves (v.18). And they treat His people in like manner. The warning here to the righteous is: 1. do not fret when the wicked do evil (v.1a; cp. vv.7b, 8b); 2. do not envy the wicked when they prosper (v.1b); 3. acknowledge how temporal the wicked are (v.2).

37:1 "Do not fret because of evildoers, ..." The admonition "do not fret" means do not burn in your heart - do not let the actions of the wicked cause you to be afflicted with spiritual heartburn. In the modern vernacular we may say, "Keep your cool!" Christ was our Exemplar when evildoers attacked Him before Pilate (Matthew 27:12-14): "And while He was being accused by the chief priests and elders, He answered nothing."

"... Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity." Such a person includes "him who prospers in his way, ... the man who brings wicked schemes to pass" (v.7b). It is easy to prosper in this world if one gives unbridled rein to dishonesty and takes advantage of others. Such are the traffickers in the false religion of Babylon who "became rich by her wealth" (Revelation 18:19), having "committed fornication and lived luxuriously with her" (v.9). Reasons why one may be "envious" of such persons are found in Psalm 73:3-7: "For I was envious of the boastful, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. For there are no pangs in their death, but their strength is firm. They are not in trouble as other men, nor are they plagued like other men. ... Their eyes bulge with abundance; they have more than heart could wish."

37:2 "For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, / And wither as the green herb." Here is the reason cited by the psalmist why the saint should not fret over what the wicked do to them nor envy their prosperity: They and their prosperity are but temporary. The Lord they rejected and whose law they violated is even at this very moment sharpening the sickle and scythe of judgment against them – for "the triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the hypocrite is but for a moment. Though his haughtiness mounts up to the heavens, and his head reaches to the clouds, yet he will perish forever like his own refuse" (Job 20:4-7).

II. The antidote for fretting over the wicked and envying their prosperity (vv.3-8). To fret over the wicked and envy their prosperity evidences a lack of confidence in Jehovah and rebels against His providence. The antidote is: 1. trust in Jehovah (v.3a, 5b-6); 2. do good (v.3b); 3. dwell in the land Jehovah has given to you (v.3c); 4. feed on Jehovah's faithfulness (v.3d); 5. delight in Jehovah (v.4); 6. commit your way to Jehovah (v.5a); 7. rest in Jehovah (v.7a); 8. wait patiently for Jehovah (v.7b); 9. cease from anger (v.8a); 10. forsake wrath (v.8b).

37:3 "Trust in the LORD, ..." Here is the first principle: Turn your eyes away from the wicked and toward God, and confide in Him alone. Say with Christ, "Our fathers trusted in You; they trusted, and You delivered them. They cried to You, and were delivered; they trusted in You, and were not ashamed" (Psalm 22:4f).

"... and do good; ..." Here is the second principle: Good works always follow saving faith – for "faith without works is dead" (James 2:20). "If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; for so you will heap coals of fire on his head, and the LORD will reward you" (Proverbs 25:21f; cp. Matthew 5:44f).

"... Dwell in the land, ..." Here is the third principle (note imperative mood of verb): Abide in the place where God places you despite the wicked in it; do not withdraw into a community apart from the world. Let the wicked witness your faith and works. Be "the salt of the earth" and "the light of the world", and "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven" (Matthew 5:13-16).

"... and feed on His faithfulness." Here is the fourth principle (note imperative mood of verb): As this word faithfulness means "truth", this phrase teaches us to find in Christ alone the truth of God and let Him be the only nourishment for our souls.

37:4 "Delight yourself also in the LORD, ..." Here is the fifth principle: Whereas the wicked delight in earthly and temporal things, the righteous delight in Jehovah – in the glories of His Triune Persons, the perfections of His attributes (e.g., power, goodness, mercy and grace), His work of salvation, and especially in Christ who is the chief delight of the redeemed.

"... And He shall give you the desires of your heart." Here is a blessing to those who delight in Christ: They receive all their new heart desires. They who "seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness" are assured that "all these things shall be added to you" (Matthew 6:25-33).

37:5 "Commit your way to the LORD, ..." Here is the sixth principle: Roll your way onto Jehovah (Hebrew text). Imitate Christ when even His enemies confessed, "He rolled Himself on Jehovah" (Psalm 22:8 in the Hebrew). Be ever "casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you" (1 Peter 5:7).

"... Trust also in Him, ..." Here is the first principle repeated (see v.3) - for we must often be reminded to do so.

"... And He shall bring it to pass." Here is a never-failing blessing from Jehovah to those who trust in Him (see next verse):

37:6 "He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, ..." When the wicked accuse the righteous for their sins, Christ comes forth to show Himself as their righteousness, answering every accusation made against them (Romans 8:1, 33ff).

"... And your justice as the noonday." God will ascertain that His people are treated justly, chasing away the darkness of their reproach with the light of the glory of Christ.

37:7 "Rest in the LORD, ..." Here is the seventh principle: Be silent to Jehovah (Hebrew text) – as was Christ when it was said of Him, "He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth" (Isaiah 53:7). Pray for Jehovah's help, but do not dictate how and when it should come.

"... and wait patiently for Him; ..." Here is the eighth principle: "It is good that one should hope and wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD" (Lamentations 3:26) - as did Israel at the Red Sea in obeying the command "Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD" (Exodus 14:13).

"... Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, / Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass." The admonition given at the beginning of this psalm is here repeated.

37:8 "Cease from anger, ..." Here is the ninth principle: Stop being angry at the persecutions of the wicked against you and their prosperity before you. It is easier to stop being angry at such a person if you will first cease fretting because of him (as in v.7).

"... and forsake wrath; ..." Here is the tenth principle: "Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, 'Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,' says the Lord. Therefore 'If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.' Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good" (Romans 12:19-21).

"... Do not fret – it only causes harm." What! We must be told the third time! And yet again in Proverb 24:19-20! Let us now partake of the antidote just prescribed, and trust in Christ.

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