Tyndale Open Study NotesPsalms 37

This psalm addresses the issues raised in Psalm 36:

• How should the godly react to evil?

• When will the Lord bring justice?

• Why does he allow the wicked to harm his creation?

Psalm 37 provides clear answers that reduce the tensions of life (Psalm 37:1–9, 34) and promise that the meek will have a future (Psalm 37:10–11, 39–40).

The contrast between the godly and the wicked highlights the uselessness of foolishness (Psalm 37:12–24, 27–33). The psalmist's personal insights add a human element (Psalm 37:25–26, 35–38). He encourages viewing the land's inheritance with a long-term perspective: The earth belongs to the Lord, who will give it to those he blesses—the humble and godly who trust, hope, and follow him (see Psalm 37:9, 11, 22, 29, 34; see also Isaiah 57:13; Matthew 5:5).

The wise respond to evil by trusting in the Lord. Trust has five parts:

1. Do not become irritated or jealous of those who do evil (Psalm 37:1–2).

2. Delight in the Lord (Psalm 37:3–4).

3. Submit to the Lord (Psalm 37:5–6).

4. Practice patience in hope (Psalm 37:7).

5. Avoid anger (Psalm 37:8–9).

envy: The jealous desire to have what others enjoy leads to further sin (Psalm 73:3; Proverbs 3:31; James 1:14–15; 4:1–2).

Human life is limited and does not last long (see Psalms 90:5–6; 92:7; 102:4, 11; 103:15; 129:6; Isaiah 40:7–8).

Trusting in the Lord helps reduce irritability and envy (Psalm 37:1).

Doing good means developing a commitment to wisdom (see Psalm 34:14; Proverbs 3:5–7).

To delight in the Lord means to follow the Lord’s ways and find joy in him.

Justice occurs when the Lord’s will triumphs and the godly experience his rescue (Isaiah 45:8; 51:5–6; 58:8, 10–11).

Be still: We should let the Lord be God rather than taking matters into our own hands.

Irritability and anger can quickly damage a person’s character.

When someone becomes easily upset or angry, it affects the way that person thinks and acts. Over time, this can weaken good habits and harm relationships.

Learning patience and self-control helps protect and strengthen character.

The wicked will not possess the land; those who trust in the Lord will. The Lord promises an inheritance because he is committed to caring for his people.

The Lord creates peace (Psalm 85:10)—he brings peace to a chaotic world (Psalm 29:11; 37:11; 85:8; 147:14). His wisdom leads the meek to peace (Psalm 119:165; Matthew 5:5).

The wicked show their envy by gnashing their teeth (an expression of anger and hostility). They make plans to harm the godly. But the Lord laughs at them because he knows they will fail (Psalm 2:4).

The wicked seek to destroy the Lord’s order, but he defeats them.

The wicked prepare weapons, but those weapons will turn against them (compare Psalm 7:12–13).

It is better to be wise with little money than to be rich and evil (Proverbs 15:16; 16:8, 19; 17:1; 28:6).

The Lord cares for the blameless in this life and for eternity, but the wicked will perish.

Smoke represents the temporary nature of life (Psalm 68:2; 102:3).

• To borrow and never repay shows a dishonest way of life.

• Generous givers freely share what they freely receive from the Lord (see Psalm 111:5; 112:5).

The honesty and strength of a godly person's life come from the Lord (see Proverbs 4:12; 14:15; 16:9; 20:24).

The Lord does not abandon his children or their descendants.

The godly are wise; they do good and reject evil. The Lord cares for them, protecting them and ensuring that they receive their rightful portion of the land as their inheritance. The wicked might try to ambush the godly, but they will not succeed.

The righteous base their counsel on the Lord’s wisdom.

The law of his God is in his heart: The godly accept God’s instruction and live by it (see Psalm 119:11; Jeremiah 24:7; 31:31–34).

The wicked might appear to be flourishing like a tree (compare Psalm 52:8; 92:12–13), but they eventually die and are forgotten (Psalm 37:2).

The Lord provides strength for his people.