←Psalm 37→BSB

In This Chapter 84 terms 1 theme 6 resources

Key Terms

Take Possession 10 Upright 4 To Declare Guilty 4 Perceive 3 Poor 3 Peace 3 Complete 3 Possession 3 To Be Kindly Disposed 3 Bless (Approval) 3 Blessing (Act) 3 Rebel (Against Authority) 3 Save (Help) 3 Seek Safety 3 Trust 2 Righteousness (Standard) 2 Plan 2 Loyal Person 2 Instruction 2 Way of Life 2 Mighty (Ruthless) 2 Salvation (Deliverance) 2 Be Zealous Steadiness (Quality) Faithfulness (Truth) Faithful Faithfulness (Trust) Be (Or Show Oneself) Just Acquit Justice (Right) Righteousness (Act) Just Put Right With Make Righteous Deserved Justify (Vindicate) Justify Justly Justice Righteousness (Quality) Dispossess Inherit Straightness Straight Be Straight Be Complete Complete Certainty Be Fully Assured To Cause to Possess Possession Bless (Favor) Blessing (Content) Blessed Bless (Request Favor) Love To Love Love (Appreciation) Wisdom Ability (Skill) Ability (Power) World Universe Miracle Ability (Spiritual) Lordship Spiritually The Way Way of the Lord (Metaphorical) Way to Live Way of Life Rebel (Act) Rebellion (Offense) Be Rebellious Rebellion Rebelliousness Salvation Salvation (State) Save (Restore) Salvation (Physical) Salvation (Rescuer) Save (Rescue) Salvation (Means) Saving (Means) Seek Refugue

Themes

Wisdom Psalms

Resources

Psalms Book Overview Acrostic Articles Poetry, Biblical Articles Poor, the Articles Proverbs, Book of Articles Wisdom Literature Articles

Delight Yourself in the LORD

(1 Kings 2:1–9)

Of David.

ⓘ This psalm elaborates on the problems posed in...

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).
ⓘ The wise respond to evil by trusting in...

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).
1Do not fret over those who do evil;do not envy those who do wrong.2For they wither quickly like grassand wilt like tender plants.
ⓘ The antidote to irritability and envy (37:1) is...

The antidote to irritability and envy (37:1) is trust in the Lord.
3Trust in the LORD and do good;dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness.4Delight yourself in the LORD,and He will give you the desires of your heart.
5Commit your way to the LORD;trust in Him, and He will do it.6He will bring forth your righteousness like the dawn,your justice like the noonday sun.
7Be still before the LORDand wait patiently for Him;do not fret when men prosper in their ways,when they carry out wicked schemes.
8Refrain from anger and abandon wrath;do not fret—it can only bring harm.
ⓘ The wicked will not possess the land; those...

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.
9For the evildoers will be cut off,but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land.
10Yet a little while, and the wicked will be no more;though you look for them, they will not be found.11But the meek will inherit the land†and delight in abundant prosperity.
ⓘ The wicked snarl to express their bitter envy....

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).
ⓘ The wicked seek to destroy the Lord’s order,...

The wicked seek to destroy the Lord’s order, but he defeats them.
12The wicked scheme against the righteousand gnash their teeth at them,13but the Lord laughs,seeing that their day is coming.
ⓘ The weapons of the wicked will turn against...

The weapons of the wicked will turn against them (cp. 7:12–13).
14The wicked have drawn the swordand bent the bowto bring down the poor and needy,to slay those whose ways are upright.15But their swords will pierce their own hearts,and their bows will be broken.
16Better is the little of the righteousthan the abundance of many who are wicked.17For the arms of the wicked will be broken,but the LORD upholds the righteous.
ⓘ The Lord cares for the blameless in this...

The Lord cares for the blameless in this life and for eternity, but the wicked will perish.
18The LORD knows the days of the blameless,and their inheritance will last forever.19In the time of evil they will not be ashamed,and in the days of famine they will be satisfied.
20But the wicked and enemies of the LORDwill perish like the glory of the fields.They will vanish;like smoke they will fade away.
21The wicked borrow and do not repay,but the righteous are gracious and giving.22Surely those He blesses will inherit the land,but the cursed will be destroyed.
ⓘ The rectitude and strength of a godly person’s...

The rectitude and strength of a godly person’s life comes from the Lord (see Prov 4:12; 14:15; 16:9; 20:24).
23The steps of a man are ordered by the LORDwho takes delight in his journey.24Though he falls, he will not be overwhelmed,for the LORD is holding his hand.†
ⓘ The Lord does not abandon his children or...

The Lord does not abandon his children or their descendants.
25I once was young and now am old,yet never have I seen the righteous abandonedor their children begging for bread.26They are ever generous and quick to lend,and their children are a blessing.
ⓘ The godly are wise; they do good and...

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.
27Turn away from evil and do good,so that you will abide forever.28For the LORD loves justiceand will not forsake His saints.They are preserved forever,but the offspring of the wicked will be cut off.29The righteous will inherit the landand dwell in it forever.
30The mouth of the righteous man utters wisdom,and his tongue speaks justice.31The law of his God is in his heart;his steps do not falter.
32Though the wicked lie in wait for the righteous,and seek to slay them,33the LORD will not leave them in their poweror let them be condemned under judgment.
34Wait for the LORD and keep His way,and He will raise you up to inherit the land.When the wicked are cut off,you will see it.
ⓘ The wicked might appear to be flourishing like...

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).
35I have seen a wicked, ruthless manflourishing like a well-rooted native tree,36yet he passed away and was no more;though I searched, he could not be found.
37Consider the blameless and observe the upright,for posterity awaits the man of peace.†38But the transgressors will all be destroyed;the future of the wicked will be cut off.
ⓘ The Lord provides strength for his people.

The Lord provides strength for his people.
39The salvation of the righteous is from the LORD;He is their stronghold in time of trouble.40The LORD helps and delivers them;He rescues and saves them from the wicked,because they take refuge in Him.