Psalms 37
FBMeyerPsalms 37:1-17
a Sure Cure for Fretting Psalms 37:1-17 This is an acrostic psalm, grappling with the problem of the inequality of human life and the apparent failure of God to reward His servants and punish His enemies as they deserve. Life and immortality, where we know that the balance will be readjusted, had not then been brought to light, and therefore the solution was far harder before the advent of our Lord than for us. But though the psalmist’ s solution is therefore not complete, his teaching of the blessedness of absolute trust in God’ s providence is very delightful. Fret not thyself; that is, do not give way to passionate resentment or bitter disappointment. Live in God; find your delight in contemplating His nature and His works; roll on Him the decision of your life-choices; trust in Him to supply all your need and work in your behalf. Be silent and rest! How dramatically this picture of the happy, restful child of God is contrasted with the wicked and his certain doom-like barren pastures scorched by heat, or thin smoke-columns vanishing in the air! “ Wait and trust!
Fret not thyself!Written by David in his old age (Psalms 37:25), this Psalm contains his mature experience. Like Psalms 25:1-22; Psalms 34:1-22; Psalms 119:1-176, and some others, it is, in its arrangement, an acrostic. It deals with the great problem of the prosperity of the wicked contrasted with the afflictions of the righteous. It shows that these afflictions are only temporary, and that, if we can trust and wait, we shall see that God will mete out their deserts to all. This Psalm is a protest against querulous complaint and has in all ages been peculiarly dear to the troubled believer. It is exquisitely paraphrased by Gerhardt’s noble hymn, “Commit thou all thy griefs.” Psalms 36:5 was frequently quoted by Dr. Livingstone.
Psalms 37:1 Fret not. This key-note is thrice repeated (Psalms 37:1; Psalms 37:7-8). It might be translated “Do not worry.”
Psalms 37:5 Roll thy way upon the Lord (marg.). See also for same Hebrew word Psalms 22:8, “trusted”; Proverbs 16:3, “commit.”–True religion is summed up in two words, “Submit” and “Commit”.
Psalms 37:7 Rest in the Lord! (marg., Be Silent!). The Rhone rids itself of silt as it passes through the still waters of Geneva’s lake. It is so much easier to act than to be still.
Psalms 37:9.Earth may be read the land: see also Psalms 37:11; Psalms 37:22; Psalms 37:29; Psalms 37:34, and Matthew 5:5 This surely means the supply of all temporal needs as well as of spiritual blessing.
Psalms 37:12 The wicked plotteth. Let us not fear the threatenings of our foes. “If God be for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31).
Psalms 37:18 The Lord knoweth. It is enough that God knows what lies hid in each day and guarantees a sufficiency of strength (Deuteronomy 33:25).
Psalms 37:18 Not ashamed in the evil time. So God cared for Jeremiah in the time of siege (Jeremiah 37:21).
Psalms 37:23 The steps . . . are ordered. Jehovah guides the steps and orders the goings. There is safety here (see Psalms 37:31; Job 34:21; Psalms 17:5; Psalms 40:2;Proverbs 16:9).
Psalms 37:24 The Lord upholdeth. The Douay version reads “The Lord putteth his hand under him.”
Psalms 37:25I have been young, and now am old. Though this may have been David’s experience it does not follow that it is universally true. But on the whole it is true. Not the blessedness of the seed of a good man (Psalms 37:26).
Psalms 37:30-31 The law of his God in his heart.This is the portrait of the godly as to their life, and heart, and steps, Here, as in Psalms 1:1-6 and Psalms 119:1-176, the “law of the Lord” is the source of strength and safety. “Thy word have I hid in mine heart” (Psalms 119:11).
Psalms 37:34 He shall exalt thee. The fulfilment of these promises depends on our fulfilment of the conditions of faith and waiting. Because they trust in Him (Psalms 37:40).
Psalms 37:37 The end of that man is peace. Bishop Coverdale’s translation in the Prayer Book version is worthy of note: “Keep innocency, and take heed unto the thing that is right; for that shall bring a man peace at the last.” But the Revised Version favors the ordinary reading. The day may break stormily, but the storms expend themselves ere nightfall and the sunset is golden.
Psalms 37:18-29
Ways That God Establishes Psalms 37:18-29 God takes pleasure in our lives. In each He is working out a plan. Even our failures do not turn Him away from us, for He keeps fast hold of our hands, Psalms 37:24, r.v., margin. Long after His people have passed home, God sees to their children. If they follow in their parents’ ways, they are borne along in the stream of providential care; but obviously they may depart from it. What precious promises in Psalms 37:28; Psalms 37:31; Psalms 37:33; Psalms 37:37; Psalms 37:39-40! Never forsaken! Always sure of an Advocate in the Divine Presence! Not left to the mercy of our foes! Safely housed in the time of need! Dying in peace! Such are the blessings which accrue to the servant of God. Such has been the observation of one no longer young, Psalms 37:25. When taunted, persecuted, maligned, desperate, go into a silent place and lift your tear-stained face to Him. He understands the unspoken language of sighs and tears. Do not hurry Him; He has ages to work in. Wait patiently and rest.
Fret not thyself!Written by David in his old age (Psalms 37:25), this Psalm contains his mature experience. Like Psalms 25:1-22; Psalms 34:1-22; Psalms 119:1-176, and some others, it is, in its arrangement, an acrostic. It deals with the great problem of the prosperity of the wicked contrasted with the afflictions of the righteous. It shows that these afflictions are only temporary, and that, if we can trust and wait, we shall see that God will mete out their deserts to all. This Psalm is a protest against querulous complaint and has in all ages been peculiarly dear to the troubled believer. It is exquisitely paraphrased by Gerhardt’s noble hymn, “Commit thou all thy griefs.” Psalms 36:5 was frequently quoted by Dr. Livingstone.
Psalms 37:1 Fret not. This key-note is thrice repeated (Psalms 37:1; Psalms 37:7-8). It might be translated “Do not worry.”
Psalms 37:5 Roll thy way upon the Lord (marg.). See also for same Hebrew word Psalms 22:8, “trusted”; Proverbs 16:3, “commit.”–True religion is summed up in two words, “Submit” and “Commit”.
Psalms 37:7 Rest in the Lord! (marg., Be Silent!). The Rhone rids itself of silt as it passes through the still waters of Geneva’s lake. It is so much easier to act than to be still.
Psalms 37:9.Earth may be read the land: see also Psalms 37:11; Psalms 37:22; Psalms 37:29; Psalms 37:34, and Matthew 5:5 This surely means the supply of all temporal needs as well as of spiritual blessing.
Psalms 37:12 The wicked plotteth. Let us not fear the threatenings of our foes. “If God be for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31).
Psalms 37:18 The Lord knoweth. It is enough that God knows what lies hid in each day and guarantees a sufficiency of strength (Deuteronomy 33:25).
Psalms 37:18 Not ashamed in the evil time. So God cared for Jeremiah in the time of siege (Jeremiah 37:21).
Psalms 37:23 The steps . . . are ordered. Jehovah guides the steps and orders the goings. There is safety here (see Psalms 37:31; Job 34:21; Psalms 17:5; Psalms 40:2;Proverbs 16:9).
Psalms 37:24 The Lord upholdeth. The Douay version reads “The Lord putteth his hand under him.”
Psalms 37:25I have been young, and now am old. Though this may have been David’s experience it does not follow that it is universally true. But on the whole it is true. Not the blessedness of the seed of a good man (Psalms 37:26).
Psalms 37:30-31 The law of his God in his heart.This is the portrait of the godly as to their life, and heart, and steps, Here, as in Psalms 1:1-6 and Psalms 119:1-176, the “law of the Lord” is the source of strength and safety. “Thy word have I hid in mine heart” (Psalms 119:11).
Psalms 37:34 He shall exalt thee. The fulfilment of these promises depends on our fulfilment of the conditions of faith and waiting. Because they trust in Him (Psalms 37:40).
Psalms 37:37 The end of that man is peace. Bishop Coverdale’s translation in the Prayer Book version is worthy of note: “Keep innocency, and take heed unto the thing that is right; for that shall bring a man peace at the last.” But the Revised Version favors the ordinary reading. The day may break stormily, but the storms expend themselves ere nightfall and the sunset is golden.
Psalms 37:30-40
Steps That Shall not Slide Psalms 37:30-40 How dear this psalm has been to God’ s saints! It has been peculiarly prized by them in all ages. Gerhardt has paraphrased it in his noble hymn: Give to the winds thy fears, Hope, and be undismayed. When banished from Berlin by the Elector, he turned into a small wayside hostelry, not knowing where to go. Seeing his wife greatly depressed, he turned to find comfort for them both in these verses, and the conception of his hymn broke upon him. That evening messengers arrived from the Duke of Mecklenburg, offering Gerhardt an honorable position in his kingdom. Among many others, Psalms 37:5 was frequently quoted by David Livingstone. Bishop Coverdale’ s translation of Psa 37:37 is noteworthy: “ Keep innocency and take heed unto the thing that is right, for that shall bring a man peace at the last.” But the psalmist repeatedly insists that the fulfillment of God’ s promises is conditioned by our faith, Psalms 37:40. The day may break stormily, but the storms expend themselves before nightfall and the sunset is golden.
Fret not thyself!Written by David in his old age (Psalms 37:25), this Psalm contains his mature experience. Like Psalms 25:1-22; Psalms 34:1-22; Psalms 119:1-176, and some others, it is, in its arrangement, an acrostic. It deals with the great problem of the prosperity of the wicked contrasted with the afflictions of the righteous. It shows that these afflictions are only temporary, and that, if we can trust and wait, we shall see that God will mete out their deserts to all. This Psalm is a protest against querulous complaint and has in all ages been peculiarly dear to the troubled believer. It is exquisitely paraphrased by Gerhardt’s noble hymn, “Commit thou all thy griefs.” Psalms 36:5 was frequently quoted by Dr. Livingstone.
Psalms 37:1 Fret not. This key-note is thrice repeated (Psalms 37:1; Psalms 37:7-8). It might be translated “Do not worry.”
Psalms 37:5 Roll thy way upon the Lord (marg.). See also for same Hebrew word Psalms 22:8, “trusted”; Proverbs 16:3, “commit.”–True religion is summed up in two words, “Submit” and “Commit”.
Psalms 37:7 Rest in the Lord! (marg., Be Silent!). The Rhone rids itself of silt as it passes through the still waters of Geneva’s lake. It is so much easier to act than to be still.
Psalms 37:9.Earth may be read the land: see also Psalms 37:11; Psalms 37:22; Psalms 37:29; Psalms 37:34, and Matthew 5:5 This surely means the supply of all temporal needs as well as of spiritual blessing.
Psalms 37:12 The wicked plotteth. Let us not fear the threatenings of our foes. “If God be for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31).
Psalms 37:18 The Lord knoweth. It is enough that God knows what lies hid in each day and guarantees a sufficiency of strength (Deuteronomy 33:25).
Psalms 37:18 Not ashamed in the evil time. So God cared for Jeremiah in the time of siege (Jeremiah 37:21).
Psalms 37:23 The steps . . . are ordered. Jehovah guides the steps and orders the goings. There is safety here (see Psalms 37:31; Job 34:21; Psalms 17:5; Psalms 40:2;Proverbs 16:9).
Psalms 37:24 The Lord upholdeth. The Douay version reads “The Lord putteth his hand under him.”
Psalms 37:25I have been young, and now am old. Though this may have been David’s experience it does not follow that it is universally true. But on the whole it is true. Not the blessedness of the seed of a good man (Psalms 37:26).
Psalms 37:30-31 The law of his God in his heart.This is the portrait of the godly as to their life, and heart, and steps, Here, as in Psalms 1:1-6 and Psalms 119:1-176, the “law of the Lord” is the source of strength and safety. “Thy word have I hid in mine heart” (Psalms 119:11).
Psalms 37:34 He shall exalt thee. The fulfilment of these promises depends on our fulfilment of the conditions of faith and waiting. Because they trust in Him (Psalms 37:40).
Psalms 37:37 The end of that man is peace. Bishop Coverdale’s translation in the Prayer Book version is worthy of note: “Keep innocency, and take heed unto the thing that is right; for that shall bring a man peace at the last.” But the Revised Version favors the ordinary reading. The day may break stormily, but the storms expend themselves ere nightfall and the sunset is golden.