Psalm 37 -- An Analysis

 

 

Psalm 37 authored by King David is a response to the problem of evil. Spurgeon calls it "The great riddle of the prosperity of the wicked and the affliction of the righteous". Why do the wicked prosper and the good suffer? The Psalm answers that the situation is only temporary; God will reverse things, rewarding the good and punishing the wicked here on earth.  The Book of Psalm is a prayer of the persecuted who has taken refuge in God. Psalm 37 concludes with a plea to God for those who honor him, to bless them with his justice and to protect them from the snares of the wicked.  Verse 11 of this Psalms was quoted by Jesus in Matthew 5:5, “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth”. The sentiment is repeated 5 times in Psalms 37! The Psalm contains many other features that make it unique. Primary among them are the great numbers of rewards promised to those who have placed their trust in the Lord.

1.       They will live safely in the land and prosper (verse 3)

2.       He will grant their heart's desire (verse 4)

3.       God  will help them in everything they do (verse 5)

4.       The justice of their cause will shine (verse 6)

5.       Those who trust in the Lord will possess the land (Verse 9)

6.       Their enemies will be defeated (verse 10)

7.       Peace and prosperity will be theirs (verse 11)

8.       The Lord takes care of the godly(verse 17)

9.       They will not be disgraced in hard times (verse 19)

10.    Even in famine they will have more than enough (verse 19)

11.    The Lord directs the steps of the godly (verse 23)

12.     He delights in every detail of their lives (verse 23)

13.    Though they stumble, they will never fall,
    for the Lord holds them by the hand (verse 24)

14.    Their children will not beg for food (verse 25)

15.    The godly will not be abandoned;  He will keep them safe forever (verse 28)

16.  The godly offer good counsel; they teach right from wrong. They have made  God’s law           their own, So they will never slip from His path (verses 30, 31)

17  They are never condemned when put on trial (verse 33)

18   A wonderful future awaits those who love peace (verse 37)

19   The Lord rescues the godly (verse 39)

20    God is their fortress in times of trouble (verse 39)

21    The Lord helps them, rescuing them from the wicked (v.40)

              22   He saves them, and they find shelter in him (verse 40)

       

David’s psalm doesn’t stop at the above impressive list of the benefits the righteous would eventually enjoy in the world. It is comforting to know their prosperity of the wicked is only temporary, they will not escape punishment. Their destruction is imminent and thorough. Look at the below list.

 

1. For like grass, they soon fade away, like spring flowers,  they wither (verse 2)

2. The wicked will be destroyed (verse 9)

                     3. The wicked will disappear. Though you look for them, they will be gone (v 10

                    4. Their judgement is coming (verse 13)

                     5. But their swords will stab their own hearts, and their bows will be broken                                      (verse 15)

                     6.    For the strength of the wicked will be shattered (verse 17)
                     7. The Lord’s enemies are like flowers in a field—they will                                                                               disappear like smoke (verse 20)

                     8. They will borrow and never be able to pay (verse 21)

       9.  He curses them and they die (verse 22)

                  10.  The children of the wicked will die (verse 28)

                  11.  The wicked and ruthless people disappear (verses 35, 36)

                  12.  The rebellious will be destroyed; they have no future (verse 38).

 

Psalm 37 is David’s “proverbs”. In 11 direct commands, he exhorts the believers to live a life worthy of the calling they have received. He reminds them that God is expecting them to make a total commitment to Him and obey Him implicitly.

                            

                    1.     Don’t worry about the wicked or envy those who do wrong (v 1)

                    2.     Trust in the Lord and do good (verse 3)

                    3.     Take delight in the Lord (verse 4)

                    4.     Commit everything you do to the Lord (verse 5)

                    5.     Trust him (verse 5)

                    6.     Be still in the presence of the Lord (verse 7)

                    7.     Wait patiently for him to act (verse 7)

                    8.     Stop being angry! Turn from your rage! (Verse 8)

                    9.     Turn from evil and do good (verse 27)

                   10.   Put your hope in the Lord (verse 34)

                   11.   Travel steadily along His path (verse 34)

 

The saints of Old Testament days who didn’t have a clear idea of resurrection and the after-life, wondered why the wicked prosper. “Why doesn’t the Almighty bring the wicked to judgment? Why must the godly wait for Him in vain?” lamented Job (Job 24:1). Solomon was besieged with this problem and mentioned it four times in Ecclesiastes).  Asaph raises the issue in Psalms 73.  David analyzes the matter thoroughly in Psalms 37, and comforts himself that justice will win eventually.

When we look forward, with an eye of faith, we shall see no reason to envy the wicked. The life of faith is a believing trust in the Lord, and the diligent care to serve him according to His will. To delight in God is as much a privilege as a duty. He has not promised to gratify every appetite of the body, but the desires of the renewed, sanctified soul.  Cast your burden upon the Lord, the burden of your care. We must not allow ourselves to be perplexed with thoughts about future events, but refer them to God. By prayer spread your case and all your cares before the Lord, and trust in him. We must do our duty, and then leave the result to God. 

Faith transcends reason and logic by believing that a higher logic is at work, a deeper reason is at play. The mind of God, with thoughts higher than our thoughts (Isaiah 55:9), has its own plans and purposes. It has determined that "all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28). If there is a disjunction between the promises and our experience, then there must be a higher reason for it that is in harmony with the love of Christ.

Jesus loves us. Despite our trouble, His love stands firm. There isn't anything or anyone that can snatch us from the hand of our loving shepherd (John 10:25-28). “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full”, proclaimed Jesus in John 10:10. We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life (Acts 6:4). Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life (Judges 1.21).

 

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