Psalm 37: Right Will Triumph
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Psalm 37 was written when David was old (v. 25), and like Psalm 73, it counsels us not to fret over the visible success of the wicked (v. 1).
“As Christians we should conquer fretting, for in fretting we lose perspective and clarity of vision. Moreover, when we are angry with the sinner, we are unable to help him, and also put ourselves in the wrong.” A sinner’s gains will be short lived (v. 2).
One should not envy the wicked or their prosperity.
Instead, we should (1) trust in God, (2) keep active in doing good, (3) quietly dwell where God places us, and (4) watch for God’s faithfulness (v. 3).
“Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass” (v. 5). Let Jesus carry your burdens. Place your confidence in God, and He will cause others to see the rightness of your course (v. 6). He will calm your soul when troubles arise (v. 7).
Above all, do not cherish anger against evildoers (v. 8).
God holds their destiny in His hands (v. 9). Meekly follow your Lord and Savior, and in time, you will inherit the earth (vv. 10, 11; see also Matthew 5:5).
The wicked take advantage of the poor and weak and laugh at the Christian trying to do right (vv. 12–14), but all their evil will eventually return upon their own heads (v. 15). The righteous will emerge victorious with an eternal inheritance (vv. 16–18).
Those who are a blessing to their fellow man in this life will inherit the earth made new. Those who abuse and steal from their fellow man will be destroyed (vv. 21, 22).
We may make mistakes, but the righteous repent of their sins and do their best to make things right (vv. 23, 24). The crux of the entire psalm is found in verse 27: “Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore.” Eventually, right will triumph, and truth will be vindicated (vv. 28–40)! “In studying this psalm, it is well to bear in mind that this life is a school preparing us for the life hereafter, the prelude to the drama of life eternal. Ultimately it will be well with the righteous.” “I’m but a stranger here, / Heaven is my home; / . . . I shall be glorified.”
