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• Psalm 37
• Do Not Fret.
• The Meek Shall Inherit The Earth.
• Proverbs
• Introduction
• This psalm was written by David.
• While it contrasts the wicked and the righteous as others psalms have
done, it seems to be a source of a variety of observations and lessons.
• Some compare this psalm to a chapter in the book of Proverbs.
• Because of its length, we will only examine certain verses and thoughts.
• There is a phrase found several times in this chapter (at least similar
in fashion).
• Introduction
• Perhaps, we are more familiar with this phrase from the Beatitudes in
Matthew 5:5 where Jesus said, “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit
the earth.”
• This thought is also found in vs. 11 of our psalm - The idea of the meek
inheriting the earth.
• This is a good psalm to read when you are frustrated as it addresses the
behavior of the ungodly and reminds us of who is REALLY in control.
• While we cannot address every verse in detail, I encourage you to contrast
the righteous with the ungodly.
• Do Not Fret
• The word fret (used 3 times in this text - 1, 7 & 8) means to become
angry with.
Some scholars define the word as “to be hot, to be furious, to become angry,
become kindled.”
• Solomon repeated this thought in Proverbs 24:19
• We are not to fret against the evil doers and workers of iniquity.
NOR are we to be envious of those who work iniquity.
• Do Not Fret
• In an earlier psalm, David posed the question, “Why do the nations
rage?” (2:1)
• We become frustrated as we see the wicked and ungodly seem to prosper.
• And it should be frustrating because we want goodness to prevail in this
life for all, and it seems to not happen.
• But we should never become furiously angry about it.
• Do Not Fret
• Let God take care of it.
• Leave it in His hands, cf. Romans 12:17-19,
• Why?
• Let God take care of them.
• See vs. 2 – they shall soon be cut down.
• Do Not Fret
• So how do we deal with the ungodly?
• The answer is by living godly.
• In these verses David notes:
• Trust in the Lord and do good (3) -
• Do good (3) – rather than sinking to the level of the ungodly, do
what is right, even above right.
• E.g. – turn the other cheek., go the second mile, etc.
• Do Not Fret
• Dwell in the land and feed on His faithfulness – don’t leave
His fold or the land of your inheritance (spiritually speaking).
• I am reminded of another beatitude, “Blessed are those who hunger
and thirst after righteousness.”
• Delight yourself in the Lord (4) – do we truly take pleasure in
serving God.
• That is the answer to TRUE contentment.
• Do Not Fret
• Commit your way to Him (5) – resolve to serve Him regardless of
what happens
• Trust Him (5) (see vs. 3) – it means that we have faith.
• Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him (7) – is He your hope?
• God will bring forth your righteousness. LET HIIM! (6)
• Do not fret because he prospers (consider what Jesus said to the prosperous
Jews who bragged about their giving, prayers and fasting.
• Do Not Fret
• He said, “They have their reward”
• Don’t be angry.
• In fact, forsake the idea!
• When we fret, it causes harm.
• It will not accomplish any lasting good to sink to their level with an
ungodly attitude.
• Who Will Inherit The Earth?
• The significance of this will help us to understand what Jesus was speaking
of in the Sermon on the Mount.
• Most believe Jesus was quoting from this psalm when He added it to the
beatitudes.
• What does it actually mean?
• This is a challenging promise because it seems contrary to what we see.
• In this world it is the wicked who seem to get ahead and run things.
• It is their success that prompts frustration among the righteous to ask,
“why do the nations rage?” or as we read in vs. 1 how some “fret
because of evil doers.”
• Who Will Inherit The Earth?
• The assurance of this promise shows that God is in control and the ways
of the godly are best.
• These are the ways that will WIN in the end.
• People still respect and desire honesty and integrity.
• And ultimately, God blesses those who serve Him, even in this life (cf.
Mark 10:29-30, Matt. 6:33).
• The children of God are the ones at peace and appreciate what they have
regardless of how much it is.
• When you study this psalm as a whole you can see that.
• Who Will Inherit The Earth?
• Those who wait on the Lord (9) – patience.
• As we have noted in other studies, we need patience.
• We need to learn to accept the blessings of the Lord in His time.
• The meek (11) – NOT the cowardly or those who allow everyone to
walk over them because they won’t stand up, nor is it one who is weak.
• The best example of meekness I can think of is Jesus Himself – he
was certainly not weak nor cowardly, but His disposition was mild with most.
• Who Will Inherit The Earth?
• Those blessed by Him (22) – David here identifies whose side you
need to be on.
• Whose side are you on?
• The righteous (29) … and they will dwell in it forever – those
who are right standing before God.
• The Proverbs 0f Psalm 37
• The Lord laughs at the wicked (12-13)
• This does not mean that He takes pleasure in afflicting the ungodly.
• As you study the history of Israel, you find the withholding of His blessings
and punishments grieved Him.
• He simply wanted a nation that would reverence and obey Him.
• That is all He ever wants.
• The Lord laughs at the wicked
• That having been said, it does not matter what the wicked does –
God can and will bring it to nothing at His whim.
• He is in control – 2 Peter 3:5-7.
• AND, the ultimate “last say” will come when all men appear
before Him to give account for their lives – 2 Corinthians 5:10-11.
• Consider where the rich man (cf. The rich man and Lazarus) ended up –
Luke 16:19-25.
• The Lord laughs at the wicked
• Lesson for us – Remember (from above points) we should NEVER rejoice
in the calamity of others, even the wicked.
• Let God take care of the vengeance (remember Rom. 12:17-19)
• The Proverbs Of Psalm 37
• A little that the righteous has is better than the riches of the wicked
(16)
• A key to getting through this life without it getting to you is contentment.
• 1 Timothy 6:6 tells us that godliness with contentment is great gain.
• Little vs. Riches
• A little that the righteous has is better than the riches of the wicked
(16)
• Ecclesiastes 4:6 notes that it is better to have a little “with
quietness” than both hands full “with toil and grasping for the wind.”
• Note also Ecclesiastes 5:10-15, then 18-20
• So, which way is better?
• The Proverbs of Psalm 37
• The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord (23)
• This does not mean that God takes over and we have no control.
• That would violate free-will and personal accountability.
• It means that the good man considers what the Lord has to say BEFORE he
acts.
• He studies and keeps His word.
• Steps Ordered By God
• The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord (23)
• Psalm 1:1-2 – blessed is he who walks not in the path of the ungodly,
but his delight is in the law of the Lord.
• Psalm 119:105 – “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light
to my path.”
• The Proverbs Of Psalm 37
• What David had seen (25) – the righteous not forsaken
• As a Christian, you may have to do without much in this life.
• In fact, serving God may mean actually losing much of what you own in
this life.
• That is what Christians did in the first century – some lost it
all.
• And even before that – the godly, in Israel often suffered at the
hands of corrupt leaders and the filthy (ungodly) rich.
• Righteous Not Forsaken
• But, we can make it through whatever comes our way, because God is with
us and has promised us that He will take care of us.
• The context of Matthew 6:33.
• You can also consider the example of Christians in the first century taking
care of each other.
• That was the intent of benevolence where the church is involved.
• Parables Of Psalm 37
• Mark the blameless man and observe the upright (37)
• Just a reminder.
• How often do we notice the ungodly and point out their faults but fail
to recognize the good and right of others?
• We need to constantly remind ourselves that we need to note those walking
godly.
• Observe The Upright
• Philippians 3:17, “Brethren, join in following my example and note
those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern.”
• 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13, “recognize those who labor among you and
over you in the Lord and admonish you; and to esteem them very highly in love
for their work’s sake.”
• Conclusion
• There is a reason we are not to fret about life's
• circumstances.
• The godly and meek will be blessed by God.
• So much more we could learn from this Psalm.
• This psalm is a psalm of clear contrast, leading to a question we need
to ask ourselves often:
• Whose side are you on?
By Carey Scott from an outline by Thomas Thornhill
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