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Psalms 37

40 verses

TL;DR

A call to trust God and reject envy, with promises that the righteous will inherit the earth while the wicked will be punished.

Summary

Psalm 37 exhorts the believer not to fret over or envy the wicked, assuring that their downfall is swift and inevitable. It encourages trust in the LORD, doing good, and resting patiently, with the promise that the meek will inherit the land and find peace. The psalm contrasts the wicked’s violence and deceit with God’s protection of the righteous, highlighting themes of justice, faithfulness, and divine deliverance. It further emphasizes that righteousness brings wisdom, stability, and a lasting inheritance, while the wicked suffer destruction. The psalm ends with a personal testimony of enduring faith, urging readers to remain steadfast and reap God’s blessings.

Outline
  1. Encouragement to avoid envy and trust God;
  2. Promises of justice and inheritance for the righteous;
  3. Personal testimony and exhortation to remain steadfast.
Themes
Faith in God's justiceTrust and patienceRighteous inheritance vs. wicked downfall
Keywords
frettrustmeekinheritjusticerighteousnesswickednessswordbowwisdommercydeliverance
People
LORD
Places
earthland
Things
swordbowrichesinheritancejudgmentwisdommercy
Key Verses
  • Psalms 37:3: Affirms that trusting and doing good leads to being fed in the land.
  • Psalms 37:11: Highlights that the meek inherit the earth, a central promise.
  • Psalms 37:24: Reassures that the righteous will not be utterly cast down.
  • Psalms 37:29: Reiterates that the righteous will inherit the land forever.
  • Psalms 37:40: Affirms the LORD’s help and deliverance for those who trust Him.
Questions
  • What does Psalm 37 say about the relationship between envy and faith?
  • How does the psalm define the character of the meek?
  • In what ways does the psalm assure believers of God’s deliverance?
  • What practical steps does the psalm suggest for living a righteous life?
  • How does the psalm balance warning against the wicked with hope for the righteous?
  • What lessons can modern readers draw about patience and trust in God’s justice?
  • How might the imagery of swords and bows be understood symbolically?
Sentiment

mixed
Contains both encouraging promises and stern warnings.