Psalms 37

Psalms 37:1

FRet not thy self because of evil doers] Proverbs 23:17. and 24. 1, 19. He admonisheth us, neither to vex our selves for the prosperous estate of the wicked, v. 8. neither to desire to be like them, to make our state the better, nor to esteem our state worse then theirs.

Psalms 37:2

For they shall soon be cut down like the grasse] For Gods judgement cutteth down their state in a moment.

cut down like the grasse] Psal. 90. 5, 6. and 103. 15, 16.

Psalms 37:3

Trust in the Lord] To trust in God, and do according to his will, are sure tokens that his providence will never fail us.

verily] Or, in truth, or stablenesse.

Psalms 37:5

Commit thy way unto the Lord] Heb. roll thy way upon the Lord. Psalms 55:22. Proverbs 16:3. Matthew 6:25. 1 Pet. 5. 7. Be not led by thine own wisedom, but obey God, and he will finish his work in thee.

Psalms 37:6

as the light] As the hope of the day-light causeth us not to be offended with the darknesse of the night: so ought we patiently to trust that God will clear our cause, and restore us to our right.

the noon-day] Job 11:17.

Psalms 37:7

Rest in the Lord] Heb. Be silent to the Lord, Exod. 14. 13, 14. 2 Chron. 20. 17.

who prospereth in his way] When God suffereth the wicked to prosper, it seemeth to the flesh that he favoureth their doings, Job 21:7, &c. Psalms 50:21.

Psalms 37:8

fret not thy self in any wise to do evil] Meaning, except he moderate his affections, he shall be led to do as they do.

Psalms 37:9

For evil doers shall be cut off] Psalms 55:23.

Psalms 37:10

For yet a little while and the wicked shall not be] He correcteth the impatience of our nature, which cannot abide, till the fulnesse of Gods time come.

Psalms 37:11

But the meek shall inherite the earth] Matthew 5:5.

Psalms 37:12

The wicked plotteth against the just] The godly are assured that the power and craft of the wicked shall not prevail against them, but fall on their own necks, and therefore ought patiently to abide Gods time, and in the mean while bewail their sins, and offer up their tears as a sacrifice of their obedience.

plotteth] Or, practiseth.

gnasheth upon him with his teeth] Psalms 35:16.

Psalms 37:13

The Lord shall laugh at him] Psalms 2:4.

Psalms 37:14

such as be of upright conversation] Heb. the upright of way.

Psalms 37:15

Their sword shall enter into their own heart] Their plots shall hurt themselves, and not others, whom they sought to hurt.

Psalms 37:16

A little that a righteous man hath] A good man hath more true comfort in a little, then a bad man in a great deal, because he hath Gods blessing with it, Prov. 16. 8, 16.

Psalms 37:17

For the arms of the wicked shall be broken] Psalms 10:15. All their strength to do hurt withall, Ezekiel 30:24.

the Lord upholdeth the righteous] Though they be weak.

Psalms 37:18

The Lord knoweth the days of the upright] God knoweth what dangers hang over his, and by what means to deliver them. See v. 23, &c.

Psalms 37:19

they shall be satisfied] For God will give them contented mindes, and that which shall be necessary, psal. 36. 8.

Psalms 37:20

as the sat of lambs] They shall vanish away suddenly and eternally; for they are fed for the day of slaughter.

the fat of lambs] Heb. the preciousnesse of lambs.

Psalms 37:21

borroweth] Deuteronomy 28:44.

but the righteous sheweth mercy] God so furnisheth him with his blessings, that he is able to help others, psal. 112. 5.

giveth] Psalms 112:9.

Psalms 37:22

such as be blessed of him] Of the LORD, v. 20.

Psalms 37:23

The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord] The steps of such a man: that is, of a man blessed of God, v. 22. God prospereth the faithfull, who walk in his way with an upright conscience, Jeremiah 10:23.

ordered] Or, estall shed.

Psalms 37:24

Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down] Proverbs 24:16. 2 Corinthians 4:9. When God doth exercise his faith with divers tentations, Proverbs 24:16.

upholdeth him with his hand] Or, upholdeth his hand.

Psalms 37:26

ever] Heb. all the day.

his seed is blessed] Though the just man be liberall in his life, yet God blesseth his posterity, that they want not. This David speaks, of that which himself had observed.

Psalms 37:27

Depart from evil] Psalms 34:14.

Psalms 37:29

inherite the land] Proverbs 2:21.

dwell therein for ever] He shall not be driven out of it till he die.

Psalms 37:30

The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisedom] Matthew 12:35.

Psalms 37:31

The law of his God is in his heart] Psalms 40:8.

steps] Or, goings.

Psalms 37:33

condemn him] Or, suffer him to be condemned, psal. 109. 31.

Psalms 37:34

keep his way] Psalms 18:21.

see it] Psalms 91:8.

Psalms 37:35

a green bay-tree] Or, a green tree that groweth in his own soil.

Psalms 37:36

Yet he passed away] So that the prosperity of the wicked is but as a cloud, which vanisheth away in a moment.

Psalms 37:37

Mark the perfect man] He exhorteth the faithfull to mark diligently the examples of Gods mercies, and also of his judgements, and assures them they shall not lose their labour.

end] Or, reward.

Psalms 37:38

end of the wicked shall be cut off] Or, reward of the wicked is, to be cut off.

Psalms 37:39

But the salvation of the righteous is of the Lord] He sheweth, that the patient hope of the godly is never in vain, but in the end hath good successe, though for a time God prove them with sundry tentations.