Psalm 37
The Book of Psalms, as you may know, is actually a collection of 5 books. The Book of Psalms is essentially the hymnal of the Israelites. It’s filled with various types of psalms ranging mainly from psalms of lament, to psalms of thanksgiving, and psalms of praise. The psalm that we’ll be focusing on today doesn’t quite fit into one of those main categories.
Psalm 37 is a piece of wisdom poetry, much like what you would find in Proverbs. It is one of the chiastic psalms, which means that it is organized from the beginning to the end of the Hebrew alphabet. It is highly likely that this was done in order to make memorization easier. As a psalm, it is believed that it would have been sung. Unfortunately, our English translations lose the effect of the original structure of this psalm. Thankfully, what may be lost in artistic expression is not at all lost in instruction and edification.
We won’t read the entire psalm, but I would love to encourage you to do so. We’re going to focus in on verses 1-9 and 38-40.
A Psalm of David.
1 Do not get upset because of evildoers,
Do not be envious of wrongdoers.
2 For they will wither quickly like the grass,
And decay like the green plants.
3 Trust in the Lord and do good;
Live in the land and cultivate faithfulness.
4 Delight yourself in the Lord;
And He will give you the desires of your heart.
5 Commit your way to the Lord,
Trust also in Him, and He will do it.
6 He will bring out your righteousness as the light,
And your judgment as the noonday.
7 Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him;
Do not get upset because of one who is successful in his way,
Because of the person who carries out wicked schemes.
8 Cease from anger and abandon wrath;
Do not get upset; it leads only to evildoing.
9 For evildoers will be eliminated,
But those who wait for the Lord, they will inherit the land.
38 But wrongdoers will altogether be destroyed;
The future of the wicked will be eliminated.
39 But the salvation of the righteous is from the Lord;
He is their strength in time of trouble.
40 The Lord helps them and rescues them;
He rescues them from the wicked and saves them,
Because they take refuge in Him.
— Psalm 37:1-9, 38-40 (NASB20)
This psalm features three main characters that we want to take note of. First we see the unrighteous, or non-believers. They’re also known as evildoers (v.1 & 9) and wrongdoers (v. 1 & 38). They are those who, as Paul describes in Romans 8:7-8, having set their minds on the things of the flesh, [are] hostile toward God; for [they do] not subject [themselves] to the law of God, for [they are] not even able to do so, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.[1]
Then we have the righteous (as they are named in verse 39), or the believers. They are those who take refuge in Him (v. 40). Paul also describes believers in Romans 8, where he writes,
[14] For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons and daughters of God. [15] For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons and daughters by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!” (Romans 8:14-15)
Every single one of God’s people in all of history—past, present, and future—are recipients of the truths found within Psalm 37.
Last to mention, but certainly not least, is God, who is here mentioned using His proper name, Yahweh, which highlights His exclusivity, preeminence, superiority, and sovereignty. Quoting from the catechism our family uses,
“God is the Creator and Sustainer of everyone and everything. He is eternal, infinite, and unchangeable in His goodness and glory, power and perfection, wisdom, justice, and truth. Nothing happens except through Him and by His will.[2]
As has been mentioned already, this psalm stands out amongst the entirety of the Book of Psalms as being a psalm of wisdom, which is why it reads so much like something from the Book of Proverbs. Within our selection from Psalm 37, we find some negative commands (e.g. don’t do this) and some positive commands (e.g. do that). In my translation, “Do not…” begins several phrases in verses 1, 7 and 8. There are two unique “Do not” commandments:
Do not get upset [because of evildoers (v. 1)] [because of one who is successful in his way, because of the person who carries out wicked schemes. (v. 7)]
Do not be envious of wrongdoers (v. 1)
Then we have a couple more negative commands in verse 8, telling believers to cease from anger and abandon wrath.
Not only are we told what to refrain from doing, but we are also told what to do instead—positive commands from the psalmist via inspiration of the Holy Spirit. In verse 3, we’re told to Trust in the Lord, which is coupled with the command to do good. As you do good the psalmist assures us that, [God] will bring out your righteousness as the light (v. 6a). Stated all together, we should Trust in the Lord and do good, which God will honor by making our righteous reputation shine like a light in the darkness.
Beginning in the second half of verse 3 we have our next positive command, which is to live in the land and cultivate faithfulness. The phrase live in refers to one dwelling securely in a place. It’s a peaceful residence. It reminds me of Paul’s words in Romans 12, where he writes, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all people. (v. 18) So the psalmist writes that we’re to live in the land and cultivate faithfulness. For the sake of clarity and unity, I want to take a moment and discuss the translation of this phrase.
The back end of this command in verse 3 is rendered differently in different translations. The ESV reads befriend faithfulness, while the NIV reads enjoy safe pasture. The footnote tied to this phrase in my translation gives two alternatives to cultivate faithfulness, which are to feed securely or feed on His faithfulness. If you’re following along from a different translation and you’re wondering why there’s such a difference, just know that scholars debate on whether the underlying verb in the manuscript used for translation is one that refers to shepherding, tending, cultivating, or one that refers to having dealings with. Further differences come from disagreements amongst translators on syntax, specifically the classification of the final word in the manuscript as either a noun or an adverb, which causes further splintering on what the exact rendering of this verse could be. If you’d like more information on this, I’d be happy to point you in the right direction.[3] So what does this array of meaning mean for us? Well, the good news is that each of these renderings are theologically consistent with the rest of Scripture! Each is supported across the whole counsel of God’s Word. For today, I’m going to focus in on the rendering of the phrase found in my translation (NASB), cultivate faithfulness.
The psalmist commands us to live in the land (dwelling securely) and cultivate faithfulness. The byproduct of adhering to this command is staying on the right side of justice. Proverbs 16:7 says, When a person’s ways are pleasing to the Lord, He causes even his enemies to make peace with him. So the psalmist writes that He will bring out…your judgment as the noonday. We would agree that the sun stands most directly over us with its brightest illuminating effect around the middle of the day—noon to 3pm. The imagery here communicates that our justification will stand up against even the most thorough investigation. Logically, this makes sense. If we are trusting the Lord, doing good, living peaceably, and cultivating faithfulness, we should expect that our lives would be above reproach. Peter encourages us in his first letter, saying,
[11] Beloved, I urge you as foreigners and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts, which wage war against the soul. [12] Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God on the day of visitation. — 1 Peter 2:11-12
Live for the glory of God and others will see your righteous reputation and just way of life. This then points back to God, glorifying Him in the land in which you dwell.
In verse 4, the psalmist commands us to Delight…in the Lord. Very simply, we’re called to enjoy the Lord. Delight is very important to marriage. The reason many would say of their spouse, “I love him/her more now than I did at first,” is because of the delight they take in each other. Over the years you intentionally grow in knowledge of each other’s character. You enjoy knowing your spouse as well as the comfort of being known and yet still loved! The Lord wants us to delight in Him supremely. Much like the minds of a married couple meld together over the years resulting in finishing each other’s sentences, knowing what the other is thinking without a word being spoken, etc., as we delight in the Lord over the years, our heart and mind melds with His and the result is that our desires become like God’s. And so the psalmist writes, Delight yourselves in the Lord; and He will give you the desires of your heart. We must strive to be like one whose delight is in the Law of the Lord, and on His Law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not whither; and in whatever he does, he prospers. (Psalm 1:2-3)
As a believer you are to trust in the Lord, delight in the Lord, and (v. 5) Commit your way to the Lord. We’re called to surrender our will for the sake of God’s will. Our constant prayer should be like that of Jesus, not My will, but Yours be done. Proverbs 3:5-7 comes to mind, saying Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and turn away from evil. When we take up God’s will as our main goal in life, we get to know the peace and joy of being a part of its fulfillment. And so we Trust also in Him, and He will do it.
The last positive command in our selection of Psalm 37 is this, Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him. In Isaiah 40:28-31, we read,
[28] Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth does not become weary or tired. His understanding is unsearchable. [29] He gives strength to the weary, and to the one who lacks might He increases power. [30] Though youths grow weary and tired, and vigorous young men stumble badly, [31] Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary. — Isaiah 40:28-31
Rest in the Lord and wait. Why? Because the unrighteous—regardless of how successful they may look on this side of eternity—will wither and decay (v. 2). They will be eliminated and destroyed (v. 9, 38). For now, the ways of the unrighteous may seem like the greener side; their flower may be in full bloom while you may feel lost in their shadow. But God is a righteous, perfect, and holy judge and His judgement is real and inescapable. Hebrews 10 reminds us of the just judgement of the Lord, saying,
[26] For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, [27] but a terrifying expectation of judgment and “The fury of a fire which will consume the adversaries.” [28] Anyone who has ignored the Law of Moses is put to death without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. [29] How much more severe punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of grace? [30] For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay.” And again, “The Lord will judge His people.” [31] It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God. — Hebrews 10:26-31
As we rest in the Lord and wait patiently, we do so knowing that God will not be mocked. We also rest and wait because we know the blessings that await God’s people! From our selection of Psalm 37 we get the following list:
The righteous,
Will be given the desires of the heart (i.e. desires of righteousness which wells up in one who delights in the Lord for who He is and what He desires).
Will be made righteous. (See 2 Corinthians 5:21, “…He became sin…so that we might become the righteousness of God.” Philippians 1:6, the righteous are such because of the image of God in them and their new birth in Christ, through which they are increasing in righteousness as is promised—“He who began a good work in you will see it through to completion.” [paraphrase] )
Will be justified. (As Paul makes the case for in Romans 5:21-28)
Will inherit the promises of God, salvation unto God’s eternal kingdom.
Having understood all of these things, how does it apply to us in here and now? For one, Don’t be overcome with jealousy and anger concerning the lifestyles of unbelievers. Jealousy is the current that carries us adrift towards unrighteousness. As James writes, …each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it has run its course, brings forth death. (James 1:14-15). Unrighteous anger cannot produce the righteousness of God that moves us to love every neighbor, friend or foe. James again writes, …a man’s anger does not bring about the righteousness of God. We’re called to love our enemy, and we simply can’t do that if we’re consumed with anger. I would encourage everyone to go read Luke 6:27-36 for further study on this point. Jealousy and anger are overcome in us by trusting that God is in control, vengeance belongs to Him, and salvation is in His unfailing hands.
The next big point today is this, the greatest threat to wickedness in the world is God’s people walking with God and shining His light. Resting and waiting in the Lord is NOT the same thing as doing nothing. While we wait, while we rest, we must cultivate faithfulness! You are called to be the salt of the earth, righteous seasoning and agent of preservation. Jesus reminds us that if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by people. (Matt. 5:13) You are born again to be salty! Your saltiness looks like faithfulness to love God with all of your heart, soul, mind, and strength. Growing your relationship with God through His word (delighting in Him) makes for good saltiness!
Your home is your primary, God-given ministry. Go and read Deuteronomy 6:4-9. Don’t forget to lead your home to cultivate faithfulness. I also want to warn you of another pitfall. Sometimes we take the command to be salt and light and use it to give us license to go after our neighbor’s issues. I’m not saying that there isn’t a place for grace-based admonition, correction, and rebuke. What I’m saying is that while the Word of God is a two-edged sword, the first person it is used on isn’t my neighbor—it’s me. God’s Word is first to be wielded by the Holy Spirit against me, refining me, humbling me, sanctifying me. When I say that we need to walk in the light, I mean that we need to let God wield the sword of His Word on all that needs to be put to death in us and in our homes. Remove the log from your own eye before trying to remove the speck from your neighbor’s eye.
My last major takeaway is this—live in the victory of the Kingdom of God. We are citizens of a kingdom that cannot be destroyed. God will crush every enemy. When all is said and done, the summation of all things will be the realization of God’s good and perfect will, which will be accomplished for His glory and for the good of His people. [RE-READ PSALM 37:1-9, 38-40].
The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you. (Rom. 16:20)
[1] All Scripture quoted from the New American Standard Version 2020 (NASB20)
[2] The New City Catechism Devotional: God’s Truth for Our Hearts and Minds, Crossway (Wheaton, Illinois) 2017, pg. 21.
[3] https://theaquilareport.com/the-curious-case-of-psalm-373/, https://gptsrabbi.blogspot.com/2015/05/the-curious-case-of-psalm-373-part-2.html
