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Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 37:1-40

The psalm is wholly didactic. It begins with exhortation, which is carried on through five stanzas to the end of Psalms 37:9 . Exhortation then gives place to calm and unimpassioned instruction, of a character resembling that which makes up the bulk of the Book of Proverbs. This tone continues to the end of verse 33, when there is a return to exhortation, but exhortation (verses 34, 37) mingled with instruction (verses 35, 36, 38-40). The whole poem is grave, quiet, equable, devoid of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 37:1-40

The good man's directory. This is a very remarkable psalm. Its theme is one throughout its entire length. Yet it is not so much drawn out consecutively as repeated proverbially. This may be partly accounted for by its alphabetical structure. £ There is no advance between the verses at the commencement and those at its close, but rather a remarkable variety of beautiful turns of expression to a thought that is the same throughout. The whole psalm may be summed up thus: "Just now, you see... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 37:1-40

Two pictures. The psalmist says, at Psalms 37:25 , "I have been young, and now am old . " We may regard him therefore as speaking in this psalm with the fulness of knowledge and the confidence of ripened wisdom. His old experience has attained to prophetic strain. Let us consider two pictures. I. THE EVILS OF ENVY . It is common. It takes its rise and works upon the lower part of our nature, blinding our minds, perverting our hearts, and stirring up all our evil passions.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 37:12-20

The righteous and the wicked. The argument is continued and repeated in various forms, that the righteous is to hold fast his confidence in God, and not to be discouraged by the prosperity of the wicked. For— I. CONSIDER THE EXPERIENCE OF THE WICKED . ( Psalms 37:12-15 , Psalms 37:20 .) 1 . The impotence of the plots which they in their anger devise. ( Psalms 37:12 , Psalms 37:13 .) The Lord shall laugh. "No weapon formed against him shall prosper." 2 . ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 37:18

The Lord knoweth the days of the upright ; literally, of the perfect —those who yield him a complete obedience. God takes loving note of their days, knows their number, and the events which each day will bring. He will cause all things to "work together for their good." And their inheritance shall be for ever (comp. Psalms 37:27 , Psalms 37:29 , and Psalms 37:37 ; which all, like this verse, point, albeit vaguely, to a future life). The mere continuance of a man's posterity in a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 37:19

They shall not be ashamed in the evil times . If they fall into adversity, it will not cause them to feel shame. They will know that they are not being punished for evil-doing, but that God is trying them and purifying them ( Job 36:8-11 ). And in the days of famine they shall he satisfied (comp. Psalms 33:19 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 37:20

But the wicked shall perish (comp. Psalms 37:2 , Psalms 37:9 , Psalms 37:10 , Psalms 37:15 , Psalms 37:36 ); literally, for the wicked shall perish. The happiness of the righteous cannot be complete until the wicked are removed out of their way; since, so long as they continue in the world, they will be ever vexing the righteous and troubling them ( Psalms 56:1 ). And the enemies of the Lord shall be as the fat of lambs . So, many of the old commentators, as Aquila, Kimchi,... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 37:18

The Lord knoweth the days of the upright - See the notes at Psalms 1:6. He knows how long they will live, and all that will happen to them. He sees their whole course of life; he sees the end. It is implied here that his eyes are on all the allotted days of their life; on all that has been ordained for them in the whole course of their life; and that nothing can shorten the days appointed to them. The wicked expect to live, hope to live, make their arrangements to live; but their eyes cannot... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 37:19

They shall not be ashamed in the evil thee - In times of calamity and trouble. The word “ashamed” here refers to disappointment; as when one goes to a fountain or stream for water and finds it dried up. See Job 6:20, note; and Psalms 25:2-3. The idea here is, that when thees of trouble and calamity come, in seasons of famine or want, they will find their expectations, arising from confidence in God, fully met. Their wants will be supplied, and they will find him to be their friend.And in the... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 37:20

But the wicked shall perish - The general sentiment here is the same as in Psalms 1:1-6, that the righteous shall be prospered and saved, and that the wicked shall perish. See the notes at Psalms 1:4-5. The word “perish” here would be applicable to any form of destruction - death here, or death hereafter - for it is equivalent to the idea that they shall be “destroyed.” Whether the psalmist means here to refer to the fact that they will be cut off from the earth, or will be punished hereafter... read more

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