Bible Commentaries

Psalm 37

The Blessed Lot of the Righteous Contrasted with the Wicked

1. Waiting for Jehovah and His promise (Psalms 37:1-11)

2. The doom of the wicked and the portion of the righteous (Psalms 37:12-20)

3. The ways of the righteous and the wicked (Psalms 37:21-29)

4. God’s gracious ways with the righteous (Psalms 37:30-40)

This Psalm is also alphabetical in structure and somewhat proverbial in character. It is full of sweet comfort and encouragement to faith. All the saints of God have fed on its beautiful statements, and the coming saints of Israel will find help and strength in it for their souls. He who trusts in the Lord and waits for Him needs not to fret on account of evil-doers; they will soon be cut off. But what is the righteous man to do? Trust in the Lord--delight thyself in Him--commit thy way unto the Lord--rest in the Lord. If God’s people will but do this all is well, for He who never faileth adds His promises. He promises safety, the fulfilment of the heart’s desire; He will bring it to pass and bring forth righteousness as the light. Waiting for the Lord will end for the godly of that coming day, when the evil-doers will be cut off in judgment and when those who waited on the Lord shall inherit the earth. This is Israel’s promise which will be realized for the godly remnant when the Lord appears in glory in their midst. These brief hints will help in the study of the entire Psalm. It must be looked upon as prophetic, pointing to the day when the wicked troubles no more, when his end is come and when the Lord exalts the righteous to inherit the land.