Saturday, March 28, 2009

Ps. 37: Calm Down

Psalm 37:39 "The salvation of the righteous comes from the LORD; he is their stronghold in time of trouble."

The 37th Psalm reads a lot like an old man on his death bed admonishing and advising his loved ones...some last words maybe. And maybe that's where this comes from, as verse 25 talks about the author being old.

Overall, a very encouraging, upbeat Psalm, instructing the reader not to dwell on the possessions and actions of the wicked. They may have it good for now, and temporarily. On the surface, it appears that what they have is very enticing. It could follow that living a comparable lifestyle would yield a similar result. Not so (v. 8). And this Psalm (as well as others) make it very clear that any success or comfort enjoyed by wicked men is fleeting. It will soon perish, while the inheritance of a righteous person endures forever. So perhaps this could be construed as a cautionary tale for those who are relying on their wealth and power for fulfillment.

Without any acknowledgement of eternity, there is only a sense of "This is all there is." Of course one would want to make as much of this, their only existance, as possible. But God says again, don't worry. He laughs at their plans. Their time is short. The wicked will be cut down by bow and sword and famine. But David, an old man, claims to have never seen the righteous forsaken, or their children begging bread. This promise of provision is one of extreme power. This is praiseworthy stuff!

I've heard it said that God would give one the desires of his heart. That's here in verse 4. But there's a beginning part of that verse that says "Delight yourself in the LORD..." I suppose when one delights himself in the LORD, that is the desire of our heart. Our desires will line up with what God desires for us, and that will be our want. And our satisfaction.

This Psalm makes a clear distinction for what's coming to pass for the wicked, and for those who hold to God's precepts.



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