Variety: Psalm 37v1–11

Book
Psalms
Chapter
37
Start Verse
1
End Verse
11

Psalm 37.1–11, NIV

Of David.

Do not fret because of those who are evil
     or be envious of those who do wrong;
for like the grass they will soon wither,
     like green plants they will soon die away.

Trust in the LORD and do good;
     dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
Take delight in the LORD,
     and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Commit your way to the LORD;
     trust in him and he will do this:
He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn,
     your vindication like the noonday sun.

Be still before the LORD
     and wait patiently for him;
do not fret when people succeed in their ways,
     when they carry out their wicked schemes.

Refrain from anger and turn from wrath;
     do not fret – it leads only to evil.
For those who are evil will be destroyed,
     but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land.

A little while, and the wicked will be no more;
     though you look for them, they will not be found.
But the meek will inherit the land
     and enjoy peace and prosperity.

Reflect

‘Don’t fret!’ That sounds like something my mother used to say when I was trying to finish my homework over breakfast. Her words never helped. Didn’t she know how much trouble I’d be in if I didn’t hand my history essay in before 9.15? Didn’t she care? Were my worries so trivial to her that she could dismiss them as ‘fretting’?

At first glance, it seems like the Bible is taking a similar tone with us. When news headlines constantly bombard us with outrageous acts of evil, or when we see inordinate amounts of suffering because of the selfish choices of others, are we really simply being told not to ‘fret’?

Not at all. Psalm 37 isn’t a voice from above, pointing a finger at us. It gives us a voice to use with ourselves. It empowers us to recognise anxiety when constant turmoil in the world overwhelms us and drags us down. 

The words ‘don’t fret’ are a self-directed wake-up call, an insulin shot straight to the heart, jolting us out of a downward disposition – and into action. 

In the face of injustice, Psalm 37 offers us a checklist to help reorient our thinking: delight yourself in God. Commit your paths to God. Wait for God. Hope in the Lord. 

It also shares an extensive list of blessings and promises, reminders of the everlasting privileges of trusting God.  

And it makes a clear call for righteousness. Twice it tells us that in the face of evil we are to ‘do good’. Paul says a similar thing in Romans 12.21: ‘Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.’ 

This is a psalm that offers a powerful spiritual practice – recognising fret, remembering God’s blessings and recommitting to doing good.

Respond

Think of a news headline that has caused you to fret recently. Spend some time in prayer:

  • Recognise the anxiety this situation has caused you
  • Remember God’s blessings and use the words of this psalm to remind you of the character of God and how he upholds the poor and vulnerable
  • Recommit to doing good. What’s one small action you could take to overcome evil with good?