Bible Commentaries
Psalms 37

Verse 1

Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.

Fret not — Because they prosper in their wicked enterprizes.

Verse 5

Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

Commit — All thy cares and business, and necessities, commend to God by fervent prayer.

Verse 6

And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.

Judgment — It shall be as visible to men, as the light of the sun, at noon-day.

Verse 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.

Rest — Do not repine at his dealings, but quietly submit to his will, and wait for his help.

Verse 8

Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.

Fret not — Either against the sinner for his success; or against God.

Do evil — If grief arise in thee, take care that it do not transport thee to sin.

Verse 9

For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth.

The earth — This for the most part was literally fulfilled in that state of the church.

Verse 10

For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be.

Not be — He shall be dead and gone.

Diligently — Industriously seeking him.

His place — His place and estate, and glory.

Verse 11

But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.

But — Those who patiently bear God’s afflicting hand, and meekly pass by injuries.

Peace — Partly of outward peace and prosperity, which God in his due time will give them: but principally of inward peace, in the sense of God’s favour and the assurance of endless happiness.

Verse 13

The Lord shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming.

His day — The day appointed by God for his punishment or destruction.

Verse 18

The LORD knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be for ever.

Knoweth — Observes with care and affection.

The days — All things which befal them, their dangers and fears, and suffering.

For ever — To them and their seed for ever: and when they die their inheritance is not lost, but exchanged for one infinitely better.

Verse 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.

Fat — Which in an instant melts before the fire.

Verse 23

The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.

Established — So that he shall not fall into mischief.

Verse 24

Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.

Fall — Into trouble.

Verse 25

I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.

Forsaken — These temporal promises, were more express to the Jews in the times of the Old Testament, than to Christians.

Verse 26

He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed.

Blessed — Not only with spiritual, but with temporal blessings.

Verse 27

Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore.

Dwell — Thou shalt dwell in the land, and afterwards in heaven.

Verse 30

The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment.

The mouth — Having shewed, God’s singular care over the righteous, he proceeds to give a character of them.

Judgment — Of God’s judgment, word or law.

Verse 31

The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide.

Heart — His thoughts, meditations and affections are fixed upon it.

Slide — Slide, or swerve, from the rule, from God’s law.

Verse 35

I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree.

Bay-tree — Which is continually green and flourishing even in winter.

Verse 36

Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found.

Yet — He was gone in an instant.

But — There was no monument or remainder of him left.

Verse 37

Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace.

Peace — Though he may meet with troubles in his way, yet all shall end well.

Verse 38

But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off.

Together — All without exception.