Psalms 37

David instructeth and encourageth the faithful against the temporal prosperity of the wicked, and exhorteth them, not to follow their wickedness, but to live holily and trust in God, in as much as the prosperity of the wicked is but short, and their end unhappy and accursed; where as on the contrary God accompanies his children with his fatherly goodness, in what so ever doth or may befall them, and vouchsafeth them a blessed end and issue.

1. (A Psalm) of David. (Aleph) [Of the Hebrew Alphabet. See Psa.25. upon the Title thereof] Be not incensed over (or against) the evil doers: and do not envy them that practise wrong, [viz. Such of them as thrive and prosper in the world, as is declared in the sequel: whence it appears that the goodly promises, which are made to the godly both in this Psalm and elsewhere, do not exclude the temporal prosperity of the wicked, nor the cross and adversity of the godly; being that this Psalm, (together with others) do especially serve, to prevent and take away such scandals or offences, as the godly might take else thereby. See likewise, Psa.34.on v.13. but in all these conditions, the blessing of God doth est upon the godly, and his curse upon the wicked, so that those shall be blessed and happy for ever, and these contrarily liable to everlasting perdition. Compare Job 9.on v.23. and Psa.73.v.2, &c.]

2. For they shall soon be cut down like grass; and they shall fall off, [Or decay, wither, like wither’d and falling leaves. See Psalm 1.on v.3.] as the green grass-buds. [Heb. The greenness of the young grass.

3. (Beth) Trust in the LORD, and do good; inhabite the earth, [i.e. then, or thus, shall ye inhabit the Earth or world in general, and the land of Canaan (which was a type of heavenly) in particular; and feed your selves, or be fed, &c. So also v.27. and elsewhere. Such kind of promises, uttered in the Imperative, or command-wise, are very efficacious, as putting the godly in the present possession and enjoyment of the things promised. Compare Prov.3.on v.3.] and feed (with) faithfulness. [Heb. Pascite vos, or pascamini in the phrase of feeding sheep, i.e. the LORD shall feed and provide for you faithfully, according to his promise; as is further declared in the sequel. Or entertain and sustain thy self with the ruminating of Gods faithful promises, which cannot fail. Some take the word Emuna for assurance crosses and afflictions, whereas the smiling condition of the wicked soon passeth and vanished like the grass of the field. Compare Prov.2.on v.7.]

4. And solace thy self in the LORD; so shall he give thee the desires of thine heart.

5. (Gimel.) Rowl thy way upon the LORD, [i.e. commend and commit all thy purposes, doings, care and grief unto the LORD, put it all upon him. See Psa.22.on v.9. and compare Matth.6.25, &c. Luke 12:22, &c.] and trust in him, he will do it. [perform, effect it bring it to pass.]

6. And will make thy righteousness come forth as the light: [Of the sun, or day, i.e. that it shall be as clear and manifest, as is the son in a bright midday. Compare Job.5.on v.14.] and thy right as the noon-day.

7. (Daleth.) Be silent to the LORD, [i.e. mutter not, nor murmur against the LORD, but take it patiently. See of this kind of being silent, or the silence of Patience and hope, Psa.39.10. and 62.2,6. And 65.2. and Lam.3.26,27,28. Isa.30.15. Zeph.1.7.] and abide him; [Oth. Bear pain, (or smart) for his sake] be not incensed against him, whose way is prosperous, [i.e. whose purposes and practises are followed with success, be they never so vile] over (or against) a man that executes [Heb. Doth] crafty designs.

8. (He.) Cease from anger, and forsake the fierceness: and kindle not, (or be not incensed) however (not) to do evil, [i.e. so as that thou shouldest prevaricate, with doubting or mistrusting Gods providence and faithfulness. Or with apostacy and falling off, that thou shouldest encline to follow the example of the wicked, because they seem to run before the wind. See Psa.125.3.]

9. For the evil-doers shall be destroyed; but they that wait on the LORD, shall hereditarily pessess the Earth.

10. (Vau.) And a little yet, and the wicked shall not: [He shall be able to trouble the godly but a very short time. See Psa.30.on v.6.] and thou shalt take notice of his place, [where he stood, or was seated flourishing like a goodly tree, below v.35.36.] but he shallot be there] to it, viz. His place, i.e. habitation, neither he nor all his state and excellency. See Job 7.on v.10.]

11. The meek contrarily [See Psa.10.on v.17.] shall hereditarily possess the earth, and delight themselves with great peace. [Heb. Greatness, or multitude of peace, i.e. great prosperity, all kind of welfare, principally in matters spiritual. Compare Isa.48.18. and see Gen.37.on v.14.]

12. (Zain) the wicked devised crafty designs against the righteous; and he gnashed one him with his teeth. [as Psa.35.16. see there.]

13. The LORD derides him; [See Psa.2.on v.4.] for he seeth that his day cometh. [the day of the LORDS vengeance, coming upon him, by the just judgement of God. See Job 18:20. Jer.17.18. and 18.17. Ezek.7.10,12. And 27.27. and 30.2,3,9.and 32.10. Hos.1.11. Otherwise, a mans day is also taken for his dying-day, as Job 15:32. as likewise a mans time, Eccles.7.18.]

14. (Cheth.) The wicked have drawn the sword, [Heb. Opened, the sheath being opened by the drawing forth of the sword] and bent their bow, [Heb. Trodden. See Psa.7.13.] to fell down the wretched and needy: [These titles do set out the promises, which God makes them here. See above on.v.1. and Compare v.16.19,21,25,26.] to slay them that are upright of way [i.e. in life and conversation: and so below v.23.]

15. (But) their sword shall go into their heart: [Their plots shall turn to their own destruction] and their bows shall be broken.

16. (Teth) The little that the righteous hath, is better [Righteously gotten and conscienciously used] then the abundance of many wicked. [Heb. Properly, multitude, great quantity, viz. Of goods, that is, riches, as Eccles.5.9.]

17. For the arms of the wicked shall be broken, [i.e. their power, means and insolence. See Job 22.on v.8.] but the LORD underprops the righteous.

18. (Jod.) The LORD knows [Compare Psa.1.on v.6.] the days of the upright (ones), [i.e. the condition of their life, how they do spend the same in crosses godliness and patience. Compare Psa.31.on v.16. of the word upright. See Gen.6.on v.9.as also below v.37.] and their inheritance shall remain. [Heb. Bee. So Jer.17.8. and 27.22. and 32.5. Dan.1 21, &c.] for ever.

19. They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: [Or. In the time of evil, i.e. when all manner of trouble and miseries abound, as here followers of hunger or famine] and in the days of famine shall they be satisfied.

20. (Caph.) But the wicked shall perish; and the Enemies of the LORD shall vanish, as the most precious (part) of the Lambs: [i.e. the fat, which is held the best and most precious, and was by the law of God to be consumed with fire, in the offering or sacrifices, which it seems the prophets hath an eye unto in this expression. See Lev. Chap.3.v.10.11,14,15,16. Or the most precious Lambs. Oth. The preciousness of the fields or passages. The Hebrew word being likewise so taken elsewhere] with the smoak shall they vanish away.

21. (Lamed.) The wicked borroweth and giveth not again: but the righteous doth pitty, [Or hath compassion, or deals kindly, favourably, freely] and giveth.

22. For his blessed (ones) [i.e. those that are blessed of the LORD: so presently after, his cursed (ones) i.e. those that are cursed of him, out of v.20. where mentioned is made of the Enemies of the LORD. See Matth.25.34,41. And as for the manner of speaking, compare Psa.69.27,34. Isa.16.4.] shall hereditarily possess the Earth: but his curse (ones shall be destroyed.

23. (Mem.) The goings [Or treadings, steps] of (that same) man [that is blessed of the LORD, out of the precedent verse, or of the righteous, or just man out of verse 21.] are established of the LORD, [or steered directed, i.e. he governeth and blesseth his enterprise: and though at any time he should happen to fall; yet he doth so keep him, that he shall not decay altogether (or fall finally) but get up again, as followeth] and he delighteth in his way.

24. When he falleth, he is not cast away, [Compare Prov.24.16.] for the LORD sustained his hand.

25. (Nun.) I have been I am grown old, [Or a youth. See Jer.1.on v.6.] also I am grown old, but have not seen the righteous forsaken: nor his seed seeking bread. [i.e. his children and posterity: and so likewise v.26.28. unless it pleased God, according to his free and fatherly slisposing, to try and exercise his children withy poverty and hunger, for his honour and their own good; wherein not with standing he doth not forsake them, but assists and strengthens them rather the more, so that they rest satisfied and contented never the less. See on v.1. and 14.item. v.19. and Compare Luke 16:20: 21. 2 Cor.11.27. Phil.4.11. Heb.11.37.]

26. All the day he hath compassion, and lendeth, and his seed is unto blessing. [Or in blessing, i.e. is blessed of God, inheriting the blessing of Abraham. Compare Gen.12.on v.2. item 1 Pet.3.9.]

27. (Samech.) Turn away from the evil and do the good: and dwell for ever. [See on v.3.]

28. For the LORD loveth Right, and shall not forsake his Favourites; [See Psa.4.on v.4.] they are kept for ever: but the seed of the wicked is destroyed. [See Job 18:19. Psa.21.11. and 109.13.]

29. The righteous shall possess the Earth hereditarily, and inhabite there forever. [Although the are strangers upon Earth, yet shall they in the land of promise (being a pledge of the heavenly) and where ever else they may have their abode in the world, in the midst of the trouble someness of the wicked, and the uncertainty of this life, through faith, confidence and hope in God, under his fatherly protection and oversight, enjoy a constant, sure and secure estate and condition, as true possessors and heirs of all the blessings of Abraham, in the only begotten son of God the Messiah, Rom.8.17. Gal.3.14. Note this 19.v.doth not begin with the letter Ajin, as according the order of the Hebrew Alphabet it should do.]

30. (Pe) The mouth of the righteous uttereth wisdom, and his tongue speaks the Right, or that which is Right. See Job.34.on v.4.]

31. The Law of his God is in his heart. [Compare Deut.6.6. Jer.3133. Heb.8.10.] his goings shall not glide, [Heb. Shall not wagg, or slip, i.e. not one of his steps shall miss or faulter, he shall be kept from mischances and destruction, or from falling away from the Law of God. Compare the sequel with that which goeth before.]

32. (Tsade.) The wicked lurketh for the righteous; and seekers to put him to death.

33. (But) the LORD doth not leave him in his hand, and he condemns him not, when he is judged. [When he comes to his trial, he shall find a favourable and gracious God there.]

34. (Koph.) wait upon the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee, hereditarily to possess the Earth, thou shalt see [With delight and Joy in the LORD] that the wicked are destroyed. [or when the wicked shall be destroyed, thou shalt behold it.]

35. (Resch.) I have seen a violent, [Or tyrannous, terrible] wicked (one) [such as were Saul Doeg, Absalom, Achitophel, etc.] that did spread himself abroad [or undressing himself. Heb. Properly, discovering, or making bare himself, in regard the stemme which formerly (when as yet the bows were small and close round about the top) was covered in a manner, comes to appear more and discover it self afterwards; when the branches are full grown and spread abroad] like a green inland tree [or self grown, which is not brought from other parts, or transplanted, but grew up out of its own native soil: having still remained there, as such commonly endure the longer and thrive better, then one that is transplanted. The Hebrew word doth likewise signify a native, homebred, opposite to a stranger, or alien. Exod.12.9. Lev.16.29. Some do understand a Bay, or Laurel-tree, others a Cedar, but the more proper signification hath been followed in the text.]

36. But he passed away, and behold he was (no more,) [i.e. he vanished on a sudden, as a cloud that passeth by and vanisheth ere one is aware. Oth. One passed by, etc.] and I sought him, but he was not found.

37. (Schin.) observe the godly and look to the upright [Heb. The right, straight, or direct. See above Psa.7.on v.11.] for the end of that (man) shall be peace. [Heb. The aftermost, the uttermost, or the last. Compare Deut.32.on v.20. Prov.14.on v.12. i.e. shall fare well, it shall go well with him at last: thou shalt find it so, if thou observe and mark it. Oth. For there is reward for the peaceable man. Some do understand it of the posterity, and so in the sequel. Compare Psa.109.on v.13. Jer.31.on v.17.]

38. But the transgressors are together destroyed: the end of the wicked is extirpated. [i.e. the wicked are cut off, or rooted out at last, like a tree, root and branch wholly and utterly.]

39. (Thau.) yet the salvation of the righteous is from the LORD, their strength in time of distress.

40. And the LORD shall help them and shall deliver them; he shall deliver them from the wicked, and shall keep them, for they trust in him.