Psalm 37

1. Verses 1-2 are a statement that so many Christians need to “file away.” We often worry about those who are sinful, wondering what they will do to us. Instead, we need to remember that, either soon or in eternity, they will suffer for their sins. That should not be a joyful thing for us, but it should cause us to remember that God will punish the wicked.

2. Verses 3-6 say, in so many words, that our delight and joy should be in God. He will bless us with peace and prosperity (spiritual prosperity) if we will simply put Him first.

3. Verses 7-8 basically repeat what verse 1 taught. We need to relax and we do not need to react (especially overreact) to what sinners do.

4. Verse 9 would have been a very important promise to a Jew in the Old Testament. The promise of land is continuous throughout the Old Testament.

5. Verse 10 is similar to many New Testament passages, reminding us that our time is not God’s time. It is a little while to Him, and we need to learn to wait for His working.

6. Verse 11 is very similar to the beatitude: “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”

7. Verse 12 speaks of how man plots his evil ways, but verse 13 reminds us that God sees all. There is no truly “secret” attack!

8. In verse 14 we see how serious the evildoers are. They are ready to “shoot their arrows.” Sometimes it seems as though there is no way out of a bad situation, or no way to escape from sinners, but (verse 15) they will be defeated.

9. We need to teach verse 16 to our children! (This will be a devo very soon.)

10. The beginning of verse 17 seems to be punishment (in poetic language) for the greed displayed in verse 16. The sinful have abundance, seemingly by greed, so their arms will be broken.

11. Verses 18-19 teach the righteous to even be satisfied when times are bad, because we can have peace in difficult times. However, verse 20 shows us that the wicked will suffer.

12. Verse 21 is a good verse to use when teaching about how a person should view debts. Notice that the righteous person doesn’t just “pay back,” he “gives.”

13. Verses 23 and 24 show us the great leading ability of the Lord. Am I willing to truly let God lead every step of my life, even if it is a difficult step?

14. In verses 25 and 26, David is reminded that he has continually seen God take care of His people. David is not saying that he has never seen a Godly person who was poor. Rather, he is saying that no follower of God had to worry about the things of this life; God was constantly taking care of him.

15. Verse 27 should be constantly written on our hearts when we are tempted: “Depart from evil and do good, so you will abide forever.”

16. Verses 28-34 show us, again, David’s understanding of the justice of God. God does not make mistakes when it comes to being just and fair. Evil will be punished and those who are righteous will be rewarded. While that is the main thrust of this entire psalm, these verses show it to be abundantly clear in David’s mind.

17. Verses 35-36 give us an example that is in David’s mind of an evil man who seemed to have it all together. In the end, though, he died. His luxury could not buy him longer life or true peace. Don’t we need that lesson today?

18. Verse 39 is a simple reminder that salvation comes from God. Nothing else will save us.

19. Verses 39-40 are one more reminder from David that God is a God of comfort for those who are righteous. Am I living a righteous life, so God can comfort me?