Psalms 36-39 Trust in the LORD, wait on him and do good

From Psalms 36-39

19 Psalms Fragment

Today’s psalm provides moral instruction. It gives guidance concerning how to live a moral God fearing life. It seeks to understand the apparent success and prosperity of people who adopt immoral lives. Do you ever ask what’s the point? Why not give in to temptation when others do? If so, this psalm is for you.

This post is part of my bible in a year series.

Passage and Comments

Psalm 37 contains a reasonable amount of moral instruction. The psalmist questions why moral instruction is important because the wicked seem to prosper in this world. In the short run, the wicked seem to prosper, whereas the righteous very often seem to suffer at their hands. But it is the longer run that counts, and in the long run true satisfaction is to be found in the righteousness which is characteristic of those who live in relationship with the living God.


2 For they will soon fade like the grass and wither like the green herb. (Ps 37:1–2)

The psalm assumes its audience is struggling with injustice in the world. It begins instructing its listeners not to worry because of evildoers or wrongdoers. Their time is short.

The psalmist distinguishes the righteous from the wicked in the world around him.

Psalms generally assume in this lifetime evil will be judged. Rather than worry the psalmist exhorts his listeners to focus on the LORD.


4 Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. (Ps 37:3-4)

Regardless of how the evildoers live, the psalmist encourages his listeners to trust in the LORD. He will look after his people and will eventually deal with injustice.

He also instructs his listeners to do good. He is not clear on what he means so it could be anything. Normally it involves caring for others. Some preachers today hold trust and good works apart. The bifurcation is not biblical. They both go hand in hand.

God’s people have the greatest treasure of all. This is why the psalmist encourages them to…

Delight themselves in the LORD. He is our one true desire. He will make himself known and you will feel his presence.


6 He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday. (Ps 37:5-6)

Following the LORD requires commitment and trust. Commitment involves a goal and perseverance to see it through. Trust involves depending on others and a whole lot of patience.

The psalmist promises if they do these things the LORD will act. They will mature and grow in character. They will be part of the LORD’s plan to set the world to rights. I find it easy to forget the LORD works in the world.

Continue to believe he will make a difference in his kingdom.

7 Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices! (Ps 37:7)

The psalmist instructs his listeners to be still and not to worry. Rather he wants to them to trust in the LORD and do good. A theme we will continue towards the end.

The psalmists instructions turn to what we should avoid.




11 But the meek shall inherit the land and delight themselves in abundant peace. (Ps 37:8-11)

Wait for the LORD. The wicked will be cut off.

Those who wait will inherit the land. The theme is brought up repeatedly throughout the psalm (v9,11,22,29,34). Presumably the psalmist is writing at a time when foreigners had control of the promised land. He encourages them God’s humble people will be restored to their inheritance and delight in the LORD and the peace he has brought about.

The wicked will be no more, banished.




15 their sword shall enter their own heart, and their bows shall be broken. (Ps 37:12-15)

In the psalmists world there are the righteous, God’s people. The wicked who oppose the righteous and oppress the needy. The LORD who is king, covenant maker and judge.

Is this different from how you normally perceive the world?

What will happen to the righteous, needy and the wicked?





20 But the wicked will perish; the enemies of the LORD are like the glory of the pastures; they vanish—like smoke they vanish away. (Ps 37:16-20)

The righteous live on, the wicked don’t. What is involved in being righteous, as the psalmist seems to be speaking about.






26 He is ever lending generously, and his children become a blessing. (Ps 37:21-26)

The righteous take on debts they can honor and payback. They are generous with their time and money. They give.

The LORD directs the steps of the righteous. They spend time with the LORD and follow his direction.

The children of the righteous learn from their parents example. They follow in their steps and become a blessing to others. God promised his people would be a blessing (Gen 12.1-3)

27 Turn away from evil and do good; so shall you dwell forever.


29 The righteous shall inherit the land and dwell upon it forever. (Ps 37:27-29)

The LORD loves justice. So his people should seek to please him. Another name the righteous go by in the Old Testament is his ‘Saints’. A noun the apostle Paul often to describe believers.



32 The wicked watches for the righteous and seeks to put him to death.

33 The LORD will not abandon him to his power or let him be condemned when he is brought to trial. (Ps 37:30-33)

The righteous speak. They probably speak of what they have learnt from the LORD and his law. The scriptures.

Its a good thing to share these things with other people in our daily practice.

They speak to promote the Kingdom of God. The wicked will try to oppose them. Eventually the LORD will put an end to them.





38 But transgressors shall be altogether destroyed; the future of the wicked shall be cut off. (Ps 37:34-38)

The righteous are exhorted to wait for the LORD. Another repeated theme. Living as God’s people involves more than trusting and being involved in ministry. It involves waiting for the LORD.

Are you waiting on the LORD for something?

The wicked don’t seem to have a bright future. They will be cut off, passing away, absent from view and destroyed. There is no future in wickedness.


40 The LORD helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him. (Ps 37:39-40)

God saves the righteous from the wicked. He protects them and delivers them because they take refuge in him and wait for him.

Story of Jesus

The psalmist instructed his listeners to be still and not to worry. He wants to them to trust in the LORD and do good. In the gospel Jesus instructs no different.





33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. (Mt 6:25–33)

Trust in the LORD, wait on him and do good.
