The Psalms were written and recorded to be pondered, prayed over, and praised. They offer timeless truths that are too profound to skim through. Each word carries weight, inviting us to slow down and reflect deeply.
Psalm 37, authored by David, is not a place where you’d necessarily go for refreshment. Instead, you’ll find wickedness and depravity. This psalm, however, is an instructional poem designed to bring comfort, wise counsel, and perspective. The message of Psalm 37 is especially relevant in a world where the wicked seem to thrive while the righteous suffer.
David, known as a man after God’s own heart, penned Psalm 37 during a time when God’s people were increasingly distracted by worldly matters. The Psalm addresses the disheartening reality that the wicked often prosper while often actively persecuting those who seek to do good. What we encounter in this passage is a world that mirrors our own—a world where the wicked plot against the righteous (v. 12), wield weapons to oppress the poor and upright (v. 14), and lie in wait to harm the faithful (v. 32). It’s a stark reminder that until the Lord returns, wickedness will persist and the righteous will often face persecution.
Responding to Wickedness
In verse 35, David says, “I have seen a wicked, ruthless man, spreading himself like a green laurel tree.” The wicked seem to live the easy life full of all the rewards, while those trying to live by God’s Word suffer. What happens when you find yourself in a world where God’s people are suffering, but the wicked are thriving? David’s advice in Psalm 37:1-9 is clear: “Fret not.” He urges us to avoid anxiety and envy over the apparent success of the wicked.
Determine Where Your Confidence Lies
Psalm 37:3a – Trust in the Lord
When you’re faced with wickedness, it is important to determine where your confidence lies. David invites us to place our confidence in the Lord, trusting in His faithfulness. In verse 25, David recounts that he’s lived a long life, yet has never seen God be unfaithful or ignore the needs of His people.
It is important for us to not only remember God’s faithfulness in our own lives, but to share His faithfulness with others. Don’t just tell people that God is faithful; tell them how He has been faithful. Tell of His faithfulness in all times, not just in joyful times. Share how He has been faithful in the pit, too. How has he brought you through the soul-crushing moments as well?
In addition to looking at the Lord’s past faithfulness, look to the future with confidence, knowing that He will continue to be faithful. Placing our confidence in the Lord means:
- Committing our ways to him (v. 5) – It’s our job to seek the Lord and desire to bring our lives into alignment with His will.
- Being still (v. 7) – If you are confident that God is faithful, you can rest easy that He will take care of you.
- Waiting on Him (v. 9) – It’s not up to us to take vengeance on the wicked. Romans 12:19 reminds us that, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”
Dedicate Yourself to Doing Good
Psalm 37:3b – and do good
The second part of verse 37 is a simple directive: do good. What is good? The will of the Lord is good. If you’re committed to doing what is good, you’ll have little time to worry about the wicked and how they may try to harm you.
What the world sees as opposition should be seen as opportunity to Christ followers. As the world gets darker and more wicked, we have greater opportunity to shine the light of Christ.
Matthew 5:16 says, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
Finding Delight in the Lord
Psalm 37:4 – Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.
One of the most profound instructions in Psalm 37 is to “delight yourself in the Lord” (v. 4). This means finding joy and satisfaction in who God is. God has wired us with a desire for pleasure, but true fulfillment comes from pursuing Him rather than worldly things. By focusing on Jesus, the allure of worldly pleasures fades, and we find a deeper, more constant joy.
We have endless options for what we choose to pursue, what our thoughts dwell on, what we talk about or what we sing of. To delight ourselves in knowing Christ means we should be fascinated by learning more about Him and knowing His desires for our lives.
In order to truly find delight in the Lord, we must be in His presence daily. Sitting with Jesus means we have to confess and repent of our sin to become spiritually refreshed. We cannot harbor sin and seek His presence at the same time.
Gaining Perspective and Peace
While Jesus may not immediately change our circumstances or bring swift justice for the wicked, His presence provides peace and perspective. Psalm 49:10-11 reminds us that life on earth is but a breath compared to eternity. The wicked may prosper for 80-100 years on earth, but justice comes at death, when the Lord judges. Eternity is a long time compared to our lifespan!
Jesus doesn’t rescue us from the throes of our circumstances. Chaos still may ensue around us, but He promises to see us through it. Being in the presence of God gives perspective and peace.
Psalm 37 challenges us to examine our hearts. Are we harboring bitterness, anxiety, or anger? Have we allowed the ways of the world to distract us from our focus on God? The Psalm invites us to let go of these burdens and find peace in Jesus. What we need more than a change in our circumstances is a closer relationship with Him.
