Psalm 37 Meaning Verse By Verse

Last Updated on September 22, 2021 by Pastor Ikechukwu Chinedum

Today we will be studying the book of Psalm 37, the meaning verse by verse. The psalm speaks about the mystery of the wicked and the faithful. The Lord calms his people despite being surrounded by enemies. This powerful psalm tells us the end and ultimate destination of the wicked, it serves as a source of encouragement to the righteous not to be discouraged by the excesses of evil. As we study these psalm 37 meaning from verse to verse, the Lord will open your eyes to the many hidden treasures in His word today in Jesus Christ Name.

PSALM 37 MEANING VERSE BY VERSE.

Verse 1: Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.

The psalm opens with the statement not to worry. The Lord knows that it is common among his people that they would frown and becomes jealous of the rich and great especially in times of crisis. He, therefore, urges them not to worry as He is righteous in all that He does.

Verse 2: For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.

There will come a time when the destruction of the unbelievers will rise. At that hour, the glory of the wicked will vanish into thin air. Nothing would be done to redeem such a moment. So why should a believer envy such a life that would come to an abrupt end sooner or later?

Verse 3: Trust in the LORD, and do good, so shalt thou dwells in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.

Our faith in the lord goes a long way in curing suffering and grief. In the same manner, the act of doing good also cures. For us to dwell in the land with God, integrity, and faith are the essential ingredient.

Verse 4: Delight thyself also in the LORD, and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

Here he later advises the believers to be filled with the joy of the lord. In this life, if we have God, there is no need to worry whoever delights in God receives an abundant blessing

Verse 5 &6: Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him, and he shall bring it to pass. And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as to the noonday.

Cast your fears upon the lord and submit totally to his will and we shall reach the peak of our potentials. Even amidst crises, the lord shaLl shine forth his light and the darkness of sorrow shall fade away.

Verse 7: Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.

To man time is precious but tome is nothing to God. He is worth waiting for. He is neither too early or too late. Do not be enticed by the good things of the world which will fade away,  rather wait on his promise.

Verse 8&9 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil. For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth.

Anger is a disease that makes us drift apart from God. So as Christians,  we should do away with it. Under no circumstances should we engage ourselves in the act of evil. For the judgment of those who do evil is death. But whosoever waits patiently on God will inherit the earth.

Verse 10: For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be.

The shortness of life makes us realize how the wicked and their treasures perish. Following the Lord’s Judgement, his house shall be as empty like anything and he shall be cut off from the surface of the earth.

Verse 11: But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.

In due cause, even if the believers suffer much hardship the joy they shall receive shall overshadow their pains. The phrase inherits the earth implies that the promise of the Lord shall be fulfilled and he shall be saved from eternal condemnation.

Verse 12-15 The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth.13.The Lord shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming.14The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, and to slay such as be of upright conversation. 15Their sword shall enter into their own heart, and their bows shall be broken.

The nature of the wicked is to destroy.  This is one thing that was done to our Lord Jesus Christ yet he took no offense in it rather he took the injuries with patience. The enemies will come so close as to destroy our lives but remember with good faith that the day of the Lord is coming when the tables will turn you shall conquer the world just as Jesus did.

Verse 16: A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked.

There are joy and happiness in the little of a good man compared to riches of the wicked because there are contentment and fulfillment

Verse 17: For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the LORD upholdeth the righteous.

The zeal of the wicked to do evil shall be cut off because they lift up their hands against God. He shall crush them even to the bone but he shall the righteous and uphold them forever.

Verse 18: The LORD knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be forever.

The Lord treats his own as heirs of salvation. No evil shall befall them because he guides them all the way. moreso,  eternity is guaranteed.

Verse 19: They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.

Calamities will come and go, the same as disasters and hardship. But deliverance will also come. If we have faith in God, we do not need to worry about what to eat or how to survive. He is a friend in need and indeed. Everything is in His hands

Verse 20: But the wicked shall perish, and the enemies of the LORD shall be as the fat of lambs: they shall consume; into smoke shall they consume away.

Those who flaunt their linens and golds there will be a time when all these will vanish and turn into total darkness. They shall perish from their glory and pride. Just as the sacrificial lambs are consumed by flames so shall they consume away.

Verse 21&22: The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth. For such as be blessed of him shall inherit the earth, and they that be cursed of him shall be cut off.

The text explains the rewards of being a cheerful giver. The wicked lifestyle of wastefulness often brings them down while the righteous who had already obtained mercy gives in mercy. He is a giver, he remains prosperous and never borrows.

Verse 23&24 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Though he falls, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.

All the steps we take are ordained by God.though we might backslide along the way, he is sure to uphold us. Even in the falls and faults of a Saint, he sets asides a room for sustenance.

Verse 25&26:  I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed.

This verse is an observation of David which establishes that God never forsakes His own. He is the God that rewards the good deeds of the father in the success of his son.

Verse 27&28: Depart from evil, and do good, and dwell forevermore. For the LORD loveth judgment, and forsaketh, not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.

As believers, we must not envy the doers of evil. That is to say, we must not get involved in evil acts rather we must do good deeds

Verse 29 &30: The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein forever.The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment.

As heirs of Christ,  the righteous shall inherit the land because edifying speech sprouts out from the mouth of good men. He supports justices and frowns at dishonesty.

Verse 31: The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide.

He is the custodian of God’s law. Although situations may arise which might lead to a change in policies of a land. Yet he does well to keep to the law a of God and never depart from it.

Verse 32 &33:  – The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him. The LORD will not leave him in his hand, nor condemn him when he is judged.

If it were not for the grace of God,  the enemies would have destroyed the righteous. Regardless He will never abandon his favorite. He delivers them when they can not deliver themselves.

Verse 34: – Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.

As a Christian, it’s our right to wait patiently and obediently on the Lord. Just as the Bible has said,  he that endures to the shall be saved. Whosoever trust in the Lord shall see when the enemies are finally cut off and he shall enjoy earthly and heavenly goods.

Verse 35:  I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree. Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found.

Again the psalmist recounts how he observed the wicked rules the earth but lo and behold,  he was nowhere to b found. The names of who was in everybody’s mouth were forgotten while the names of the godly are remembered forever.

Verse 37: Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace.

After he has watched the downfall of the wicked, he takes his time to study the upright. He sees that the end of the righteous is peace.

Verse 38: But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off.

This verse sums up the fact that common destruction awaits all the doers of evil.

Verse 39&40 But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble. And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them because they trust in him.

Finally,  the  Lord shall give righteous salvation. He will preserve his beloved from their enemies because they rely on God. While trouble overthrow’s wicked, the righteous are strengthened through faith.

WHEN DO I NEED TO USE THIS PSALM?

Having established the meaning of this psalm, it is important to know when to use it. Here a few times where the psalm can serve a purpose for you:

• When you feel you are about to be overthrown by your adversaries.
• When you are in a difficult situation and you want God to deliver you
• When you need to commit your way of life to the Lord
• When you want God to build your trust in Him

PSALM 37 PRAYERS:

If you are in any of the situations listed above or more, then these powerful psalm 37 prayers are for you:

• Lord, I acknowledge my faults to you (you can mention them) and I ask that you forgive me sins completely in Jesus’ name.
• Heavenly Father, I commit my life into your hands, guide and direct me in Jesus name
• Lord, make me righteous so that I can inherit the earth.
• Lord, remove every spirit of anger in my life and draw me closer to you.