Fret not yourself because of evildoers; be not envious of wrongdoers! For they will soon fade like the grass
and wither like the green herb. Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. Delight yourself in the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Psalm 37:1-4 (ESV)
Psalm 37 is a wisdom psalm that teaches us how to trust in God and live righteously in a world where the wicked seem to prosper and flourish without repercussions. Suffice to say, the LORD has eyes and ears over all in the Universe, and He knows what and who is accountable for evildoings, and He will hold them to judgement eventually.
The main theme of the psalm is to not fret or be envious of the evildoers, but to delight in the Lord and commit our ways to Him. The psalmist assures us that God will reward the righteous and punish the wicked in His time and His way. And everything is in His control. No matter how “out of control” the world seems to be at any given time. The LORD is watching and weighing in on all circumstances and reprehensible acts of violence, iniquities, debauchery, evil lusts and deeds, and all else that are an abominable in His righteous eyes and ways.
Some verses to bring encouragement to those who are in despair at this moment will follow. May they enlighten you, fill you with hope and build your confidence in the LORD, knowing He goes before us, and the battle is the LORDS. Amen.
Here is a breakdown of some of the verses in Psalm 37.
- Verse 1: Do not fret because of evildoers, Do not be envious of wrongdoers. This verse tells us to avoid anxiety and jealousy when we see the wicked prospering. Fretting and envying only leads to anger, bitterness, and sin. Instead, we should focus on God and His promises.
- Verse 4: Delight yourself in the LORD; And He will give you the desires of your heart. This verse tells us to find our joy and satisfaction in God, not in the things of the world. When we delight in God, He will align our desires with His will and grant them according to His wisdom and love.
- Verse 5: Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, and He will do it. This verse tells us to surrender our plans and actions to God, and to rely on Him to accomplish His purposes. When we commit our way to God, He will guide our steps and bless our endeavors.
- Verse 7: Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who carries out wicked schemes. This verse tells us to be still and trust in God’s sovereignty and justice. We should not worry or be impatient when we see the wicked succeeding, because God will eventually bring them to account.
- Verse 23: The steps of a man are established by the LORD, And He delights in his way. This verse tells us that God ordains and directs the path of the righteous, and He takes pleasure in their obedience. God is not indifferent or distant from His people, but He is intimately involved and interested in their lives.
- Verse 39: But the salvation of the righteous is from the LORD; He is their strength in time of trouble. This verse tells us that God is the source and protector of the righteous. He delivers them from their enemies and supports them in their difficulties. God is faithful and powerful to save those who trust in Him.
Some other scriptures that relate to the message of Psalm 37 that are there for our eyes and for us to grow strong in the fact of God’s Omnipotence are the following:
- Proverbs 3:5-6: Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.
- Matthew 6:33: But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
- Romans 8:28: And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.Hebrews 10:36-37: For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised. FOR YET IN A VERY LITTLE WHILE, HE WHO IS COMING WILL COME, AND WILL NOT DELAY.
- 1 Peter 5:6-7: Therefore, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.
Do these verses bring immediate comfort to your souls? Are you trusting God in the way He wants you to? Do you love Him fully? What are some of the ways these verses help you and your loved ones in troubled times?
“Father, I am filled with confidence knowing You are over me in all I do, I am humbly and securely filled with peace and assurance that You alone are the One in complete control. Not me, or anyone else, but You, may I submit to Your hands of mercy, and may I be guided by Your voice alone, may I always realize that no matter how the evil seem to be getting ahead, that You have the victory, and we are victorious in You, in Jesus’ name, Amen.”