Worship: A Study in Psalmsنموونە

What does it say?

Do not fret when evil men succeed, but do good. Trust and delight in the Lord. Be still and commit your way to Him, waiting patiently because He upholds the righteous.

What does it mean?

David shared the wisdom of an elderly man who had observed both evil and godly men. Unlike the book of Job, this psalm doesn’t deal with, “Why does God allow evil to exist?” Instead, David focused his attention on the only thing righteous people can control – their response to continuing evil in the world. The trusting child of God finds pleasure in what pleases Him, which causes personal desires to align with the Lord’s will. The righteous do not need to scheme to find security; they can live within what God provides, knowing He will take care of every need. Time will eventually run out for the wicked. One day God will settle all accounts. The wicked will be completely removed from His presence, but the godly will enjoy the Lord’s favor and blessing for eternity.

How should I respond?

It’s disheartening to watch evil prevail as our national morals continue to decay. God calls His people to action, but the first steps are more personal than petitions or letters to congressmen. Look at Psalm 37 again; circle or highlight the action verbs David used: trust, delight, commit, be still, do good, wait, and keep His way (NIV). Also, note what we’re to do: do not fret, refrain from anger, turn from wrath and evil. Which of these would you consider your strengths, and which are still areas of weakness in your life? Before you rant on social media about what’s wrong with the world, ask God to convict you of any area where you aren’t personally trusting or delighting in Him. How will you demonstrate wholehearted commitment to God’s Word today?