Psalm 37 Continuing:

Wisdom from this Psalm

English Standard Version Psalm 37

The wicked borrows but does not pay back,

but the righteous is generous and gives;

22  for those blessed by the LORD shall inherit the land,

but those cursed by him shall be cut off.

What does it mean, that the wicked does not pay back?

It could possibly, mean, that sometimes, the wicked will think that since, they have borrowed, from someone, that has something more than them, that they do not see what they have borrowed, as being an actual loan, but justify it that they should have it.

The sin, when we don’t pay back our loans, is the fact that whether, we are rich, or poor, unless the loan is a gift, or is released from the giver, from the obligation to pay back, it is then a type of theft. We don’t want to be with sin on our hands. Even smalll sins, can have effect in our lives.

David here contrasts the greed of the wicked, with those who are blessed by God. Borrowing versus, being blessed. We should be patient. And if we have to borrow, we should pay back what is due.

English Standard Version Psalm 37

23  The steps of a man are established by the LORD,

when he delights in his way;

24  though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong,

for the LORD upholds his hand.

25  I have been young, and now am old,

yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken

or his children begging for bread.

26  He is ever lending generously,

and his children become a blessing.

27  Turn away from evil and do good;

so shall you dwell forever.

28  For the LORD loves justice;

he will not forsake his saints.

They are preserved forever,

but the children of the wicked shall be cut off.

29  The righteous shall inherit the land

and dwell upon it forever.

30  The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom,

and his tongue speaks justice.

31  The law of his God is in his heart;

his steps do not slip.

32  The wicked watches for the righteous

and seeks to put him to death.

33  The LORD will not abandon him to his power

or let him be condemned when he is brought to trial.

34  Wait for the LORD and keep his way,

and he will exalt you to inherit the land;

you will look on when the wicked are cut off.

35  I have seen a wicked, ruthless man,

spreading himself like a green laurel tree.

36  But he passed away, and behold, he was no more;

though I sought him, he could not be found.

37  Mark the blameless and behold the upright,

for there is a future for the man of peace.

38  But transgressors shall be altogether destroyed;

the future of the wicked shall be cut off.

39  The salvation of the righteous is from the LORD;

he is their stronghold in the 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.

God has also not just given promises about the life of those who belong to him. He has marked out a path for those who belong to him. God establishes the life and the steps that those who belong to him have, and take.

He has mapped out the provision. He has made it, so that we will have everything that we need, when we live. The jar of the oil, of the widow, who Elijah spoke to. The miraculous provision, of many things in our own lives, when we follow him. The provision of society, and work, and our path, shows his marking the steps of those who he delights in.

David shows that we should not be tricked by cutting corners, and thinking that “a little compromise” is something that God does not care about. (verse 27)

The promise of God is reserved for the righteous, and on God’s outlook, he is able to see that his blessing only comes to the righteous and those in faith.

Those who are righteous, will have mouths of wisdom, they will not be condemned, they will be delivered from death, they will be exalted in life, they will see the foolishness of those who refuse to repent. And ultimately see that their salvation, is a work of God.

As the righteous grow in this understanding, they will see God’s wisdom, and they will not doubt God. They will worship him, for his wisdom, and who he is.

Wisdom from this Psalm

Hebrews 13:13-15 - 13 Let us, then, go to him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace he bore. 14 For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come. 15 Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name.

There is no doubt, that following Jesus brings suffering. But we need to see God’s wisdom in his work in our life. The world, in so many instances brings disgrace. When we position ourselves to serve God, and represent the cross of Christ, we will attract the infliction of the world, in that sense. We have to have our eyes opened to see the enduring city. We need to see and live daily for this enduring city and what will not pass away.

This inspires our praise, to God. Really our praise should be offered continually and also our evangelism of the world in our lives. “Though my flesh it be destroyed, yet with my eyes I will see God. “ (Job 19:26)

25 I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth. 26 And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; 27 I myself will see him with my own eyes—I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!