Psalms 37

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

Introduction

A composed and uniform trust in God and a constant course of integrity are urged in view of the blessedness of the truly pious, contrasted in various aspects with the final ruin of the wicked. Thus the wisdom and justice of God's providence are vindicated, and its seeming inequalities, which excite the cavils of the wicked and the distrust of the pious, are explained. David's personal history abundantly illustrates the Psalm. (Psa. 37:1-40) The general sentiment of the whole Psalm is expressed. The righteous need not be vexed by the prosperity of the wicked; for it is transient, and their destiny undesirable.

Verse 3

Trust--sure of safety. shalt thou dwell--or, "dwell thou"; repose quietly. verily . . . fed--or, "feed on truth," God's promise (Psa 36:5; compare Hos 12:1).

Verse 4

desires-- (Psa 20:5; Psa 21:2), what is lawful and right, really good (Psa 84:11).

Verse 5

Commit thy way-- (Pro 16:3). Works--what you have to do and cannot set forth as a burden. trust . . . in him--literally, "on Him." He will do what you cannot (compare Psa 22:8; Psa 31:6). He will not suffer your character to remain under suspicion.

Verse 7

Rest in--literally, "Be silent to the Lord." and wait--Be submissive--avoid petulance and murmurings, anger and rash doing.

Verse 9

Two reasons: The prosperity of the wicked is short; and the pious, by humble trust, will secure all covenant blessing, denoted here by "inherit the earth" (compare Psa 25:13).

Verse 10

shall not be--literally, "is not"--is not to be found.

Verse 11

peace--includes prosperity.

Verse 12

gnasheth . . . teeth--in beastly rage.

Verse 13

(Compare Psa 2:4). seeth--knows certainly. his day--of punishment, long delayed, shall yet come (Heb 10:37).

Verse 14

sword, and . . . bow--for any instruments of violence. slay--literally, "slaughter" (Sa1 25:11). poor and needy--God's people (Psa 10:17; Psa 12:5). The punishment of the wicked as drawn on themselves--often mentioned (compare Psa 7:15-16; Psa 35:8).

Verse 16

riches--literally, "noise and tumult," as incidental to much wealth (compare Psa 39:6). Thus the contrast with the "little" of one man is more vivid.

Verse 17

Even the members of the body needed to hold weapons are destroyed.

Verse 18

God, who knows His people's changes, provides against evil and supplies all their need.

Verse 20

While the wicked, however mighty, are destroyed, and that utterly, as smoke which vanishes and leaves no trace.

Verse 21

payeth not--not able; having grown poor (compare Deu 15:7). Ability of the one and inability of the other do not exclude moral dispositions. God's blessing or cursing makes the difference.

Verse 22

cut off--opposed to "inherit the earth" (compare Lev 7:20-21).

Verse 23

steps--way, or, "course of life"; as ordered by God, failures will not be permanent.

Verse 26

his seed is blessed--literally, "for a blessing" (Gen 12:2; Psa 21:6). This position is still true as the rule of God's economy (Ti1 4:8; Ti1 6:6).

Verse 27

The exhortation is sustained by the assurance of God's essential rectitude in that providential government which provides perpetual blessings for the good, and perpetual misery for the wicked.

Verse 30

The righteous described as to the elements of character, thought, word, and action.

Verse 31

steps--or, "goings"--for conduct which is unwavering (Psa 18:36).

Verse 32

The devices of the wicked against the good fail because God acquits them.

Verse 34

On the contrary, the good are not only blessed, but made to see the ruin of their foes.

Verse 35

of which a picture is given, under the figure of a flourishing tree (compare Margin), which soon withers.

Verse 36

he was not--(Compare Psa 37:10).

Verse 37

By "the end" is meant reward (Pro 23:18; Pro 24:14), or expectation of success, as in Psa 37:38, which describes the end of the wicked in contrast, and that is cut off (compare Psa 73:17).

Verse 38

together--at once; entirely (Psa 4:8).

Verse 39

strength-- (Psa 27:1; Psa 28:8). trouble--straits (Psa 9:9; Psa 10:1). In trust and quietness is the salvation of the pious from all foes and all their devices. Next: Psalms Chapter 38