Tyndale Open Study Notes

Verse 1

Ps 37 This psalm elaborates on the problems posed in Ps 36: How should the godly respond to the reality of evil? When will the Lord bring justice? Why does he permit the wicked to destroy his created order? Psalm 37 offers clear responses that reduce the tensions of life (37:1-9, 34) and promise that the meek will have a future (37:10-11, 39-40). The alternating contrast between the godly and the wicked emphasizes the futility of folly (37:12-24, 27-33). The personal observations of the psalmist add a human touch (37:25-26, 35-38). He encourages viewing the inheritance of the land from a long-range perspective: The earth belongs to the Lord, who will give it to those he blesses—the lowly and godly who trust in him, put their hope in him, and follow him (see 37:9, 11, 22, 29, 34; see also Isa 57:13; Matt 5:5).

37:1-9 The wise respond to evil by trusting in the Lord. Trust includes five dimensions: (1) renouncing irritability and envy (37:1-2); (2) delighting in the Lord (37:3-4); (3) submitting to the Lord (37:5-6); (4) practicing patience in hope (37:7); and (5) avoiding anger (37:8-9).

37:1 envy: The jealous desire to have what others enjoy leads to further sin (73:3; Prov 3:31; Jas 1:14-15; 4:1-2).

Verse 2

37:2 Finite existence is part of the human condition (see 90:5-6; 92:7; 102:4, 11; 103:15; 129:6; Isa 40:7-8).

Verse 3

37:3-4 The antidote to irritability and envy (37:1) is trust in the Lord.

37:3 To do good means cultivating a devotion to wisdom (see 34:14; Prov 3:5-7).

Verse 4

37:4 To take delight in the Lord means aligning with the Lord’s way in order to enjoy him.

Verse 6

37:6 Justice occurs when the Lord’s will triumphs and the godly experience his rescue (Isa 45:8; 51:5-6; 58:8, 10-11).

Verse 7

37:7 Be still: We should let the Lord be God rather than taking matters into our own hands.

Verse 8

37:8 Irritability and anger quickly corrode character.

Verse 9

37:9-11 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.

Verse 11

37:11 The Lord is the author of peace (85:10)—he brings peace to a chaotic world (29:11; 37:11; 85:8; 147:14). His wisdom guides the lowly into the way of peace (119:165; Matt 5:5).

Verse 12

37:12-17 The wicked seek to destroy the Lord’s order, but he defeats them.

37:12-13 The wicked snarl to express their bitter envy. They plot to bring an end to the godly, but the Lord derides them because they cannot succeed (2:4).

Verse 14

37:14-15 The weapons of the wicked will turn against them (cp. 7:12-13).

Verse 16

37:16 Being wise with modest means is better than having prosperity and power and being wicked (Prov 15:16; 16:8, 19; 17:1; 28:6).

Verse 18

37:18-20 The Lord cares for the blameless in this life and for eternity, but the wicked will perish.

Verse 20

37:20 Smoke depicts the temporary nature of life (68:2; 102:3).

Verse 21

37:21 To borrow and never repay is a behavior of a crooked lifestyle. • Generous givers freely share what they freely receive from the Lord (see 111:5; 112:5).

Verse 23

37:23-24 The rectitude and strength of a godly person’s life comes from the Lord (see Prov 4:12; 14:15; 16:9; 20:24).

Verse 25

37:25-26 The Lord does not abandon his children or their descendants.

Verse 27

37:27-33 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.

Verse 30

37:30 The godly base their counsel on the Lord’s wisdom.

Verse 31

37:31 They have made God’s law their own: The godly internalize God’s wisdom and instructions (see 119:11; Jer 24:7; 31:31-34).

Verse 35

37:35-36 The wicked might appear to be flourishing like a tree (cp. 52:8; 92:12-13), but they eventually die and are forgotten (37:2).

Verse 39

37:39-40 The Lord provides strength for his people.