Psalm 37Do 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?