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PSALM

CHAPTER 37

1 A Psalm of David. Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. 2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb. 3 Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.

Sometimes I catch myself being overly concerned about those who determine to do wrong even in the face of the witness of Jesus Christ. It will not be long and God will call the final judgment day. My concern is, "have we reached all we can reach today?"

The Scripture also says not to be "envious" of those who live without God and obtain power, wealth, and prestige in this world. Christians are not to try and be like the world; but rather we are called to take Jesus to the world.

David exhorts those who love the Lord to trust in him and not be overly concerned about the predominance of evil. If our trust is in God, then the "end" (which is eternity) is much greater than the "now."

4 Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

Now, I broke this scripture out to discuss at length. The reason is because it is so often used out of context with the meaning of the statement.

Just because we believe, trust in and love God, we will not receive everything we desire. That is not contradictory to Scripture. It is truth according to Scripture.

If we "delight" ourselves in the Lord, we will have HIS DESIRES in our hearts. It will be what GOD wants that will be important to us. Therefore we shall certainly receive what HE wants.

The true desires of the regenerated, Spirit-filled, born-again believer is to LOVE God, and to DO His will in life. God will bless those desires and make them fruitful in His work.

5 Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. 6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday. 7 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.

Verse 4 actually goes (in thought) with these verses. If we truly "delight" ourselves in the Lord, then we will be committed to doing His will.

Whether our witness is accepted in this world or not, God will one day lift up His people and cause them to be radiant and beautiful in the glory of Christ Himself.

There are many who gain riches in this world by wicked means. But the child of God is not to do like that. We are to find our "rest" (or joy and peace) in the Lord Himself, and in doing His will.

8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil. 9 For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth. 10 For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be. 11 But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.

Here is good information for the child of God. CEASE from anger! Now, obviously, we are going to become angry at times. But anger is only one letter away from danger. And that is because anger leads to wrath. Wrath is letting anger loose with an intention to harm someone. Whether that be physical or verbal it is the same.

The Christian is not to turn his anger loose on someone. Those who do let their anger turn to wrath are "evildoers" and will be "cut off" from God.

But the "meek" shall inherit the earth. That is the self-disciplined shall inherit the earth. The person who rules over his anger and seeks peace instead of wrath is the "meek" person: he is self-disciplined.

12 The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth. 13 The Lord shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming. 14 The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, and to slay such as be of upright conversation. 15 Their sword shall enter into their own heart, and their bows shall be broken.

The person is known by what he does. The characteristics of the wicked are to "plot" against the just and try to destroy him and/or his witness.

Again, the final judgment day will vindicate those that live for Christ.

16 A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked. 17 For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the LORD upholdeth the righteous.

To be right with God and have little in worldly things is better than to be the richest man in the world and not know God. That's because at the final judgment day, God is going to "uphold" the righteous, and "cut off" the wicked.

18 The LORD knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be for ever. 19 They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied. 20 But the wicked shall perish, and the enemies of the LORD shall be as the fat of lambs: they shall consume; into smoke shall they consume away.

God knows every person and has all our days numbered. He also knows that those who love Him shall be given eternal life where there is no sickness, no disease, no sorrow and no death any more.

Even when tough times come in the world (draught, war, famine) those who love God are not ashamed, for they still have God. But those who trust in themselves and in power or wealth, are ashamed because they lose it.

21 The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth. 22 For such as be blessed of him shall inherit the earth; and they that be cursed of him shall be cut off.

A characteristic of a man who knows God is that he will pay his debts somehow. He may have trouble doing it at times, but he will find a way.

And the saved person will be charitable toward those who are less fortunate.

God blesses those who surrender to Him. But those that refuse God will receive the curse of eternal fire.

23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. 24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.

A "good" man will desire to do God's will in his life, and the Lord will guide him in the ventures of his life.

Someone might ask then, "how can a good man fall?" Suppose that good man is persecuted like David was when he was chased for years by Saul? Suppose for a brief moment the good man depended on self rather than on God and made a mistake in judgment? That's how he might "fall."

But when he falls, God will pick him up, dust him off, and direct him on the right way - provided he genuinely trusts in the Lord.

25 I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. 26 He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed.

AMEN! The believer may have hard times, but he won't be forsaken by the Lord, and he will not have to be a begger.

Also the saved person will be "ever merciful" toward those who are in need.

Even more than that, he will leave behind a great legacy for his children: a legacy of righteousness.

27 Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore. 28 For the LORD loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off. 29 The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever.

To leave worldliness and yield to godliness is the prescription for salvation. (Luke 9:23)

God promises that when we are genuinely saved, we shall inherit eternal glory. God loves His people, and stays with them constantly. He will surely complete the salvation that He has begun (Philippians 1:6).

30 The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment. 31 The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide. 32 The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him. 33 The LORD will not leave him in his hand, nor condemn him when he is judged. 34 Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.

Oh! I LOVE that verse 30! When a man gets saved, God cleans up his MOUTH! He will speak clean things and not filthy things.

If a saved person will commit to putting God's Word in his HEART, then he will make good decisions in his life. And even though others may try to "take him down a peg or two," God will uphold him! God will not long leave His people in the hands of wicked men.

Therefore, "Wait on the LORD..." That means to SERVE God. Even when the unrighteous are in authority, Christians are to SERVE God.

35 I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree. 36 Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found. 37 Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace. 38 But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off.

People who have no thought of God, and only think of self, usually destroy themselves quickly. But the man who loves God and tries to do right has peace in his soul, and will be loved and helped by the Lord.

39 But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble. 40 And the LORD shall help them and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him.

Now here's the conclusion - and it's a GOOD ONE!

It is not righteous actions that saves a person. Salvation is of the LORD! It is salvation that causes righteous actions! It is God's indwelling strength that causes a saved person to do right.

God HELPS the saved person and He delivers them out of temptation and out of the hands of the wicked. Why? Simply because they have TRUSTED Him!

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