Commentaries and Other Bible Study Helps - Prayer Tents - Prayer Tents

Psalm 37. This can be called a wisdom psalm because it is a hymn that reflects on themes normally dealt with in the Wisdom Literature. In particular, it addresses the problem caused when godless people prosper; it helps the faithful to see that it really is better to stay loyal to the Lord--a loyalty expressed in contentment, honest dealing, generosity, and just speech. The Lord will make the distinction between the two groups clear in his own time, and the faithful must wait patiently. This psalm has many parallel texts in Proverbs. As the ESV footnote explains, it follows an acrostic pattern, although it is slightly different from that of Psalms 25 and 34; here each grouping of (usually) two verses begins with the next successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. True to form for Davidic acrostics, this one is imperfect: the s grouping includes Ps. 37:27-29, and there is no ‘ayin grouping after it (v. 30 begins with p).

37:1-11 Do Not Be Envious of Evildoers. The opening stanza sets forth the overall theme: "fret not yourself because of evildoers" (esp. when it seems that they are prospering), "trust in the Lord, and do good." The reason not to fret is the assurance that justice will come in the end: the evildoers "will soon fade like the grass" (v. 2) and "shall be cut off" (v. 9), while the faithful--those who "wait for the Lord"--"shall inherit the land" (v. 9; i.e., they will remain after the Lord purges the wicked from the land; cf. Prov. 2:21-22). Those who "befriend faithfulness" (Ps. 37:3) will "delight" themselves "in the Lord" (v. 4), "commit" their "way" to him (v. 5), "be still before" him (v. 7), and "wait patiently for him" (v. 7); thus they will be able to "refrain from anger" (v. 8; i.e., from the resentment they would naturally feel toward the godless who prosper).