Worry (Psalm 37)

In a world of wars, crime and other evils, how do we stop worrying? Let’s look at Psalm 37.

Do we fret and worry about evildoers in this world or wait patiently for them to fade?

Fret not yourself because of evildoers; be not envious of wrongdoers! For they will soon fade like the grass and wither like the green herb. (Ps 37:1-2 ESV)

Do we trust and delight in the Lord? Are we committed to Him?

Trust in the Lord and do what is good; dwell in the land and live securely. Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you your heart’s desires. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him, and He will act, making your righteousness shine like the dawn, your justice like the noonday. (Ps 37:3-6 HCSB)

Should we yell and get angry about the evil in our world or wait on the Lord?

Be silent in the Lord’s presence and wait patiently for him. Don’t be angry because of the one whose way prospers or the one who implements evil schemes. Calm your anger and abandon wrath. Don’t be angry—it only leads to evil. Those who do evil will perish. But those who wait on the Lord will inherit the land. (Ps 37:7-9 ISV)

What will happen to the wicked in a little while? What will the meek inherit?

For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be. But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth. The Lord shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming. (Ps 37:10-13 KJV)

Do the evil plans of wicked men only come back on themselves?

The wicked have drawn the sword and bent their bow To cast down the afflicted and the needy, To slay those who are upright in conduct. Their sword will enter their own heart, And their bows will be broken. (Ps 37:14-15 LSB)

What is better, a simple life rich in giving, or great wealth and a stingy life of taking?

Better is the little of the righteous Than the abundance of many wicked. For the arms of the wicked will be broken, But the Lord sustains the righteous. The Lord knows the days of the blameless, And their inheritance will be forever. They will not be ashamed in the time of evil, And in the days of famine they will have plenty. But the wicked will perish; And the enemies of the Lord will be like the glory of the pastures, They vanish—like smoke they vanish away. The wicked borrows and does not pay back, But the righteous is gracious and gives. For those blessed by Him will inherit the land, But those cursed by Him will be eliminated. (Ps 37:16-22 NASB)

Though the steps of those who delight in God may stumble, what will God ensure does not happen?

The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand. (Ps 37:23-24 NIV)

Though there is no promise of wealth in this life, what can the righteous be sure of?

I have been young, and now am old; Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, Nor his descendants begging bread. He is ever merciful, and lends; And his descendants are blessed. (Ps 37:25-26 NKJV)

Does repentance include the concept of turning from evil to doing good? Who will inherit the good eternity?

Turn from evil and do good, and you will live in the land forever. For the Lord loves justice, and he will never abandon the godly. He will keep them safe forever, but the children of the wicked will die. The godly will possess the land and will live there forever. (Ps 37:27-29 NLT)

What kind of conversation marks the righteous? What do the wicked wait for?

The mouth of the righteous talks of wisdom. His tongue speaks justice. The law of his God is in his heart. None of his steps shall slide. The wicked watch the righteous, and seek to kill him. Yahweh will not leave him in his hand, nor condemn him when he is judged. Wait for Yahweh, and keep his way, and he will exalt you to inherit the land. When the wicked are cut off, you shall see it. (Ps 37:30-34 WEB)

To whom does the future belong, wicked powerful people, or people of peace?

I myself have seen wicked powerful people, exalting themselves like a stately cedar. But when I came back, they were gone! I looked all over for them, but they couldn’t be found! Observe those who have integrity and watch those whose heart is right because the future belongs to persons of peace. But wrongdoers will be destroyed all together; the future of the wicked will be cut short. The salvation of the righteous comes from the Lord; he is their refuge in times of trouble. The Lord will help them and rescue them—rescue them from the wicked—and he will save them because they have taken refuge in him. (Ps 37:35-50 CEB)