Psalm 37

SLIDE 1 We are in Psalm 37 this evening. This is another psalm of David. We’re told that in the superscription.

Of David.

With forty verses, this is one of David’s longer psalms. The psalm is also an acrostic with every other verse beginning with the next letter in the Hebrew alphabet.

While we are not told why or when he wrote the psalm, we are given a clue in verse 25 that it was written later in his life. David says:

25a I was young and now I am old. . . . (Psalm 37:25a)

That doesn’t tell us how old he was when he wrote this psalm. We know David died when he was seventy. We deduce that from the fact from a verse in 2 Samuel that says: SLIDE 2

David was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned forty years. (2 Samuel 5:4)

I think it’s interesting too that the Bible describes David when he made Solomon king, which wouldn’t have been very long before he died, SLIDE 3 that David was old and full of years (1 Chronicles 23:1). We wouldn’t consider that to be very old, but the Bible does.

David is looking back on his life and the world, perhaps in his sixties, and makes some observations about how evil seems to always succeed. Have you ever thought that? Does it seem like those who cheat get ahead while those who try to follow the rules come in last? That was the conclusion Asaph reached in Psalm 73. SLIDE 4

For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. (Psalm 73:3)

While that seems to be the case, both Asaph and David know it’s not true. SLIDE 5 In Psalm 37, David is going to give some advice. The psalm is referred to as a wisdom psalm because like Psalm 1, it contrasts two different ways of life. There is the way of the godly and the way of the ungodly and there is a vast difference between the two. David wants to encourage us to trust in God even when it doesn’t seem like it is advantageous. God will deliver us and the wicked will one day face judgment. It may not seem like it right now, but the Bible assures us that it is true. Therefore, we need to trust God and continue to serve him. As Charles Spurgeon wrote:

Sinners are not, as a general rule, punished here. Their sentence is reserved until the day of judgment. This is not the time of judgment. Judgment is yet to come.

As I mentioned, this psalm has forty verses. The last psalm only had twelve. We’ve got a long way to go. David starts by saying:

1 Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong; 2 for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away. (Psalm 37:1-2)

The wicked are succeeding and those who do wrong are getting ahead. It’s hard to watch evil people prosper. But it happens all the time. The rich get richer as they step on the backs of people below them. The powerful get more powerful even though they arrogantly reject God. We wonder why God doesn’t do something about it. But David offers two words of warning. First, he tells us not to worry about them. Don’t fret or be concerned about them. And second, don’t be envious of them. It might be tempting to want what they have and do the things they do. When we do we stop thinking what they’re doing is wrong.

David says the reason for not fearing them or envying them is because their end is coming. They may prosper right now, they may have success now, but ultimately they will perish. Therefore, we don’t need to worry about the wicked nor should we be envious.

Instead, David says:

3 Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. 4 Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. (Psalm 37:3-4)

How should react to the evil around us? Trust God, do what is right, and find your happiness in God. Instead of fearing evil we should trust that God can take care of us. Instead of envying what the wicked have we should take pleasure in what God provides for us. There is a lot of evil in the world and the way to counteract it is to do good. It’s easy to complain about those who do wrong but are we actively doing what is right? Anyone can complain but few are willing to do help.

Remember the Golden Rule. Jesus said to do to others as you would have others do to you. He didn’t say, as other versions of the Golden Rule have stated, that it is enough to just not do wrong, he said we are to actively do good. That’s the way to combat evil. As Paul wrote to the Romans: SLIDE 6

17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. SLIDE 7 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. SLIDE 8 20 On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:17-21)

SLIDE 9 David then says that God will give us the desires of our hearts. We need to make sure we understand what David is saying. David is not promising God will give us whatever we want. For starters, we know how dangerous that can be. We know what we want, but we are like children in that we rarely know what we actually need. We should be thankful God doesn’t always give us what we want. Too, God is not going to give us the desire of our hearts when our desires are for the things of the world. Jesus put it this way: SLIDE 10

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (Matthew 6:33)

When we are delighting in God we want what God wants for us. However, when we do not put God first we begin to envy those who do evil. When we do not find our delight in God we begin to think the things of the world are worth having. Nothing is more important than the things of God. As David wrote: SLIDE 11

You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water. (Psalm 63:1)

Another psalmist, a son of Korah, wrote: SLIDE 12

As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. (Psalm 42:1)

When we put God first he will provide for us. As one preacher said:

Just enjoy your relationship with the Lord and he’ll take care of the rest.

Next David says: SLIDE 13

5 Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: 6 He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun. (Psalm 37:5-6)

The Hebrew word translated “commit” means “to roll” or “roll away.” David is telling us to roll our plans, our desires, and our needs onto God, allowing God to carry them.

I went on a retreat once where we were not allowed to wear a watch. I don’t wear a watch so that wasn’t a problem for me. The idea was that we were not to concern ourselves about the time or what we would be doing next, but to just trust those leading the retreat. For example, when it was time to eat the food would be provided. They had the weekend planned and we just needed to trust them.

That’s what David is calling on us to do. He’s calling us to trust God and commit everything to him. Trust God and he will act on your behalf. The reason we try to take care of our own problems is because we don’t trust God to act for us. Even though we are Christians we don’t always trust God. When we trust in God he will provide for us.

7 Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. 8 Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret – it leads only to evil. (Psalm 37:7-8)

“To be still” also means “to rest.” Because God has promised to take care of those who trust him, we can rest in him. We can be still as we patiently wait for him to act. It is hard to wait though; especially when we see the guilty go unpunished. We want to see God judge the wicked. But David says to be patient and wait. We are not to act out and take revenge ourselves. Vengeance belongs to God as we read in Romans 12. When we take matters into our own hands we risk only making things worse.

9 For those who are evil will be destroyed, but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land. 10 A little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found. 11 But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy peace and prosperity. (Psalm 37:9-11)

David again reminds us of the destiny of those who rebel against God. Therefore, we shouldn’t worry about what they’re doing. They will be cut off and remembered no more. You won’t be able to find them.

Charles Spurgeon, commenting on these verses, said:

I have frequently remarked to you that, although the wolf is very strong and fierce, and the sheep is very weak and timid, yet there are more sheep in the world than there are wolves; and the day will come when the last wolf will be dead, and then the sheep shall cover the plains and feed upon the hills. Weak as the righteous often are, they ‘shall inherit the land’ when the wicked shall have been cut off from the earth.

The prosperity of the wicked will be short-lived while the righteous will continue.

Twice David mentions those who wait or trust in God and those who are meek inheriting the land. This is an Old Testament promise concerning the land promised to Abraham. This promise was repeated to Isaac and Jacob and later to the Israelites when they left Egypt. They were given some physical land. So this promise isn’t for us. As Christians, we were never promised any physical property. However, Jesus makes a similar statement about the meek in the Sermon on the Mount. SLIDE 14

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. (Matthew 5:5)

This is another reason why we shouldn’t envy or want the things of the wicked, what God has in store for us is so much better. Those that do evil will not last, but if you put your hope in the Lord you will last forever.

David tells us: SLIDE 15

To trust the Lord (v. 3)

To delight in the Lord (v. 4)

To commit ourselves to the Lord (vs. 5-6), and

To wait on the Lord (7)

God is faithful and will do what he has promised. In the next two sections, David warns us about what the wicked and what God does for them. In verses 12-22 the righteous try to rule but God stops them. David describes their shaky future. You’ll notice five times David contrasts the wicked attempt with the righteous.

SLIDE 16 First, they plot against the godly, but they soon perish.

12 The wicked plot against the righteous and gnash their teeth at them; 13 but the Lord laughs at the wicked, for he knows their day is coming. (Psalm 37:12-13)

The wicked don’t like those who follow God. Their righteousness reminds the wicked of their sins. As a result, they plot against those who serve God. This is just what Jesus told the disciples. SLIDE 17

18 If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 19 If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. (John 15:18-19)

This is just what we can expect from those who love the things of the world more than they love God. It has been going on since the beginning. It started when Cain killed Abel and it will continue till the Lord returns. Those who are accepted by God are hated by those who rebel against him and are rejected. But notice God’s reaction. He just laughs. So James Montgomery Boice asks:

If God can laugh at the wicked, shouldn’t we be able at least to refrain from being agitated by them?

God will take care of them.

SLIDE 18 Second, the wicked attempt to strengthen or fortify themselves but they fail.

14 The wicked draw the sword and bend the bow to bring down the poor and needy, to slay those whose ways are upright. 15 But their swords will pierce their own hearts, and their bows will be broken. (Psalm 37:14-15)

The wicked don’t just make plans to hurt God’s people, they actively carry them out. Jesus and the writers of the New Testament repeatedly warn us that we will face persecution. But David says they will fall victim to their own devices.

I think of Haman’s plan in the book of Esther to kill Mordecai. Haman didn’t like that Mordecai wouldn’t bow before him and show the honor he thought he deserved. It was made all the worse when he discovered Mordecai was a Jew. So Mordecai had a gallows built in his backyard seventy-five feet tall and made plans to hang Mordecai from it. He wanted everyone in town to see Mordecai hanging there so they would all know what happened when you crossed him. But what actually happened? Haman was hanged there. And Saul, who sought to kill David, died as he fell on his own sword. The wicked will not succeed.

SLIDE 19 Third, the wicked prosper but their riches soon wither.

16 Better the little that the righteous have than the wealth of many wicked; 17 for the power of the wicked will be broken, but the Lord upholds the righteous. (Psalm 37:16-17)

We don’t have much when compared to the riches of the world but we have one thing they don’t, we have God. SLIDE 20 “Blessed are the poor in spirit,” Jesus said, “for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3). We may not have much here, but the kingdom of heaven will be ours. The wealth of the wicked and power that comes from it will not last, but God takes care of his own.

SLIDE 21 Fourth, the wicked flourish but they soon vanish.

18 The blameless spend their days under the Lord’s care, and their inheritance will endure forever. 19 In times of disaster they will not wither; in days of famine they will enjoy plenty. 20 But the wicked will perish: Though the Lord’s enemies are like the flowers of the field, they will be consumed, they will go up in smoke. (Psalm 37:18-20)

Who are the blameless? In Christ, we are. As we read in Romans 8: SLIDE 22

1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. (Romans 8:1-2)

Jesus took our blame, therefore we are blameless. God knows our days and we will not be put to shame.

SLIDE 23 David says that even in times of trouble God sustains his own. However, the wicked perish. David compares them to the flowers of the field. We have an empty lot beside us that never gets mowed. It used to get bush hogged three times a year, but not anymore. During the summer there are wild flowers that grow and bloom. My mother always enjoyed them. She would have picked them but wildflowers don’t do well when cut. They die and wither pretty quickly. That is what David compares the wicked to. They look nice now but don’t be deceived, their glory will quickly fade.

SLIDE 24 And fifth, the wicked borrow but soon lose what they have.

21 The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous give generously; 22 those the Lord blesses will inherit the land, but those he curses will be destroyed. (Psalm 37:21-22)

The difference between the wicked and the righteous is not just in their relationship to God, it is also seen in their actions and conduct. The wicked are takers while the righteous are givers, full of mercy. As a result, the wicked are cursed by God while the righteous inherit God’s rewards.

Now, David mentions seven actions God takes on behalf of the righteous. I’ll just mention them and read the verses that accompany them. SLIDE 24

1. God sustains the righteous.

23 The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him. 24 Though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand. (Psalm 37:23-24)

God establishes our direction, and though we fall, which we will do, he is there to hold our hand.

2. God provides for the righteous.

25 I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread. 26 They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be a blessing. (Psalm 37:25-26)

God takes care of them.

3. God protects the righteous.

27 Turn from evil and do good; then you will dwell in the land forever. 28 For the Lord loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones. (Psalm 37:27-28)

4. God prospers the righteous.

29 The righteous will inherit the land and dwell in it forever. (Psalm 37:29)

5. God instructs the righteous.

30 The mouths of the righteous utter wisdom, and their tongues speak what is just. 31 The law of their God is in their hearts; their feet do not slip. (Psalm 37:30-31)

6. God delivers the righteous.

32 The wicked lie in wait for the righteous, intent on putting them to death; 33 but the Lord will not leave them in the power of the wicked or let them be condemned when brought to trial. (Psalm 37:32-33)

7. And God exalts the righteous.

34 Hope in the Lord and keep his way. He will exalt you to inherit the land; when the wicked are destroyed, you will see it. (Psalm 37:34)

SLIDE 26 David gives one more comparison of the wicked and the righteous.

35 I have seen a wicked and ruthless man flourishing like a luxuriant native tree, 36 but he soon passed away and was no more; though I looked for him, he could not be found. 37 Consider the blameless, observe the upright; a future awaits those who seek peace. 38 But all sinners will be destroyed; there will be no future for the wicked. (Psalm 37:35-38)

Sometimes we get impatient with the troubles we face and a world that is more and more opposed to God. But David encourages us to have patience and wait. Eventually we will see the plight of those that reject God and hold onto their wickedness. It seems like those with no humbleness towards God flourish but it will all change when the Lord returns to set up his kingdom on earth. Therefore, don’t pay attention to the rich and powerful of this age, focus on those who are rich in their relationship with God and mirror his character – that’s where the future lies.

David then concludes with his confidence in God’s deliverance.

39 The salvation of the righteous comes from the Lord; he is their stronghold in time of trouble. 40 The Lord helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him. (Psalm 37:39-40)

The bottom line is where do you look for your help? Do you look to the things of the world or do you look to God? Is it in the stuff of this age? Or is in the things of the Lord? I’ll read one more passage, this time from Luke: SLIDE 27

29 And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. 30 For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. SLIDE 28 31 But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. 32 Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. SLIDE 29 33 Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. SLIDE 30 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Luke 12:29-34)