David Called for Trust Despite Evil Men

Topic: Protection
Passage: Psalms 37:1–13

November 24, 2022

Commentary

David wrote this psalm in his old age (Psa. 37:25) and reflects upon his years of experience. The major point of this Psalm is that the prosperity of the wicked is short lived. He deals with an age-old question of “Why do the wicked prosper, when the righteous are afflicted?” David was troubled by the prosperity of those who were unrighteous, but he knew that God would intervene in His time and their undeserved bounty would be cut off. This Psalm also contains a simple formula for achieving peace of mind:

  1. The Wicked will soon be cut down like the grass (vv. 1-2), so “fret not” over them.
  2. Trust in the Lord & do good (v. 3). Faith is the cure for fear.
  3. Delight in the Lord & He will supply the desires of your heart (v. 4). If we make the Lord the object of our affection, our meditation, and our activity we will find ourselves rejoicing in Him.
  4. Commit your way to the Lord & He will bring forth your righteousness like the light of the sun (vv. 5-6). There is no better medicine to dispel envy and fretting than casting ourselves unreservedly upon the Lord and yielding ourselves wholly to Him.
  5. Rest in the Lord & wait patiently for Him (vv. 7-8). We must recognize that God is fully in control of the situation and simply wait for Him to work it out for our good and His glory.

Evildoers will be cut down eventually, as the scythe cuts down the grass of the field (v. 9). There is a shortness of time to do things (v. 10). The meek have an abundance of peace which is far better than an abundance of possessions (v. 11). Merciless people make plots against good people (v. 12), but the Lord laughs and knows their time is coming soon (v. 13).

Application

How do I rate myself? ____ 1. Fret a lot ____ 2. Fret some 3. ____ Don’t fret at all

Psalms 37:1–13 (NET)

1 Do not fret when wicked men seem to succeed. Do not envy evildoers.

2 For they will quickly dry up like grass, and wither away like plants.

3 Trust in the Lord and do what is right. Settle in the land and maintain your integrity.

4 Then you will take delight in the Lord, and he will answer your prayers.

5 Commit your future to the Lord. Trust in him, and he will act on your behalf.

6 He will vindicate you in broad daylight, and publicly defend your just cause.

7 Wait patiently for the Lord! Wait confidently for him! Do not fret over the apparent success of a sinner, a man who carries out wicked schemes.

8 Do not be angry and frustrated. Do not fret. That only leads to trouble.

9 Wicked men will be wiped out, but those who rely on the Lord are the ones who will possess the land.

10 Evil men will soon disappear; you will stare at the spot where they once were, but they will be gone.

11 But the oppressed will possess the land and enjoy great prosperity.

12 Evil men plot against the godly and viciously attack them.

13 The Lord laughs in disgust at them, for he knows that their day is coming.

Wooden Man Pumping Water

Circumstances may make things look different than they really are. Many years ago, A.J. Gordon went to the World’s Fair. From a distance he saw a man pumping water with one of those old hand pumps. The water was pouring out and he said … Continue