Year 1, Week 42, Day 4 Bible Reading Observations

Year 1, Week 42, Day 4

I have a brief observation for today’s reading of Psalm 37.

Today’s reading consists of a Psalm that is commonly referred to as a wisdom Psalm. Psalm 37, which is attributed to David, is another acrostic Psalm (meaning that each segment begins with a sequential letter of the Hebrew alphabet). Psalm 37, like other Psalms from previous readings, makes use of many of the themes introduced in Psalm 1 and Psalm 2. As Psalm 1 & 2 spoke of, there are two ways to live—the way of the righteous and the way of the wicked. The two ways to live are likened onto very different journeys that one can take in life. Each way has its own distinct approach to life; and each way has it’s distinct final destination: “The salvation of the righteous is from the LORD; he is their stronghold in the time of trouble. The LORD helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him” (Psalm 37:39-40). Today’s Psalm provides wisdom for the route that should be taken, for it explores the wisdom of taking the path of righteousness. The two ways to live are, in fact, two very different ways to live.

One of the things that struck me from today’s reading was the contrasting difference in the way of life between the righteous and the wicked. The wicked do wrong and evil: “Fret not yourself because of evildoers; be not envious of wrongdoers!” (Psalm 37:1). The righteous seek to do good: “Trust in the LORD, and do good”; and “Turn away from evil and do good” (Psalm 37:3a,27a). The wicked oppress: “The wicked draw the sword and bend their bows to bring down the poor and needy” (Psalm 37:14a). The wicked seek to harm: “The wicked watches for the righteous and seeks to put him to death” (Psalm 37:32). The wicked are noted as being ruthless and even seem to thrive as they are ruthless: “I have seen a wicked, ruthless man, spreading himself like a green laurel tree” (Psalm 37:35); and “fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!” (Psalm 37:7b). But it will never end well for the wicked—never: “In just a little while, the wicked will be no more; though you look carefully at his place, he will not be there” (Psalm 37:10). The wicked’s thriving will not last: “For they will soon fade like the grass and wither like the green herb” (Psalm 37:2). The wicked will perish: "But the wicked will perish; the enemies of the LORD are like the glory of the pastures; they vanish—like smoke they vanish away” (Psalm 37:20). And since the wicked will never overtake the LORD, their ways are laughable: “The wicked plots against the righteous and gnashes his teeth at him, but the Lord laughs at the wicked, for he sees that his day is coming” (Psalm 37:12-13).

The way of the righteous is quite different. The righteous have a different internal posture toward the LORD: “Trust in the LORD” (Psalm 37:3a); and “Delight yourself in the LORD” (Psalm 37:4a); and “Commit your way to the LORD” (Psalm 37:5a); and “Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him” (Psalm 37:7a). The righteous cultivate a heart that relies upon the LORD; finds much happiness in the LORD; is truly devoted to the LORD; and quietly endures through the challenges of looking to the LORD. Because of a different orientation, the righteous seek to avoid being controlled by certain emotional states such as anger and worry: “Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil” (Psalm 37:8). Instead, the righteous seek to cultivate other emotional states such as contentment: “Better is the little that the righteous has than the abundance of many wicked” (Psalm 37:16); and joy: “The steps of a man are established by the LORD, when he delights in his way” (Psalm 37:23). The result of internal matters being taken seriously, the righteous express distinct outward fruit such a generosity: “The wicked borrows but does not pay back, but the righteous is generous and gives” (Psalm 37:21); and wise speech: “The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks justice” (Psalm 37:30); and loyalty to others: “dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness” (Psalm 37:3b); and obedient living: “The law of his God is in his heart; his steps do not slip” (Psalm 37:31).

The destination of the righteous is also quite different. The righteous are repetitively promised that they will be given the earth: “But the meek shall inherit the land and delight themselves in abundant peace” (Psalm 37:10-11); and “for those blessed by the LORD shall inherit the land” (Psalm 37:22); and “The righteous shall inherit the land and dwell upon it forever” (Psalm 37:29). The future of the righteous is bright: “Mark the blameless and behold the upright, for there is a future for the man of peace” (Psalm 37:37). And at the present, the righteous are cared for and preserved: “the LORD upholds the righteous” (Psalm 37:17b); and: “I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken” (Psalm 37:25a); and: “he will not forsake his saints. They are preserved forever” (Psalm 37:28b).

What struck you in today’s reading? What questions were prompted from today’s reading?

Pastor Joe