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Text: Psalm 37
This psalm is a contrast of the righteous and the wicked. The righteous are righteous because they believe the Lord, that He is the Judge and will put an end to this wicked world. But the wicked are wicked because they’re thoughts never go any higher or farther than the grave. The wicked are consumed with life in this world. Because the wicked are consumed with life in their current failing body in this world, they will do anything to maximize their own pleasure and anything to eliminate opposition to their pleasure.
The wicked have bought into the deceitfulness of riches and lies that the god of this world has told them. They have looked at the pleasures of this world and said I’ve got to have that at any cost. Living to make themselves happy is their #1 goal.
But the wicked are marked as temporary and their happiness that they pursue at all costs doesn’t satisfy and doesn’t last. Notice the wicked 12, 14, 17, 20, 21, 28, 32, 34, 35, 38, and 40. Compared to the righteous who shall be forever in verse 9, 11, 18, 22, 28, 29, 34.
Set in contrast to the wicked, and the wicked philosophy in line with this world, the righteous are given a few instructions.
Fret not (vss 1-2)
- Someone comes to such a state of panic that they question why the wicked look so well off and God seems to not care.
- In verse 8 the fretting becomes evil doing because you’ve lost trust in the Lord and believe it’s now up to you.
Trust in the Lord (vs 3)
- Trust in the Lord because you think you’re going to miss out on something good if you trust the Lord.
- The evil trust in riches.
Delight thyself in the Lord (vs 4)
Commit thy way unto the Lord (vss 5-6)
Rest in the Lord (vs 7)
Wait on the Lord (vss 8-11)
Depart from evil (vs 27)
Mark the perfect man (vs 37)
