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John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 37:7

Verse 7 7.Be silent to Jehovah. The Psalmist continues the illustration of the same doctrine, namely, that we should patiently and meekly bear those things that usually disquiet our minds; for amid innumerable sources of disquietude and conflict there is need of no small patience. By the similitude of silence, which often occurs in the sacred writings, he declares most aptly the nature of faith; for as our affections rise in rebellion against the will of God, so faith, restoring us to a state... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 37:8

Verse 8 The accumulation of terms which occurs in the next verse, in which he lays a restraint as with a bridle upon anger, allays wrath and assuages passion, it is not superfluous; but, as in necessary, he rather prescribes numerous remedies for a disease which it is difficult to cure. By this means, he reminds us how easily we are provoked, and how ready we are to take offence, unless we lay a powerful restraint upon our tumultuous passions, and keep them under control. And although the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 37:9

Verse 9 9.For the wicked shall be cut off. It is not without cause that he repeatedly inculcates the same thing, namely, that the happiness and prosperity which the ungodly enjoy is only a mask or phantom; for the first sight of it so dazzles our senses, that we are unable to form a proper estimate of what will be its issue, in the light of which alone we ought to judge of the value of all that has preceded. But the contrast between the two clauses of the verse ought to be observed. First, in... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 37:1-6

Doubts raised by the Divine providence, and how to meet them. The difficulty which perplexes the mind of the psalmist here is—How does God judge the wicked, if he allows them to prosper; and how reward the righteous, if they suffer adversity? The answers given are not a consecutive argument. The whole psalm is more like a string of pearls held together only by the string. The thoughts have no joints or links to unite them. The leading thought, repeated in various ways, is not to envy the... read more

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 37:4-6

Here we have a Sweet picture of a noble life. I. QUIET HEART . The eye, the ear, the imagination, continually bring before us objects that appeal to our desires . We are in danger of being distracted and harassed, and of even yielding to envy and discontent. The cure is from God. When we come to know him as he is, to believe in him as he has revealed himself in Christ Jesus, we are able to rest in him with confidence, leaving everything to his righteous and loving rule. II. ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 37:6

And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday . If the prosperity of the wicked frets thee, because it seems to obscure thy righteousness, since while he appears to bask in the sunshine of God's favour, thy life is possibly overshadowed by clouds and darkness, be sure that, in the end, this seeming injustice will be remedied. God will not frown on thee always; one day he will turn on thee the light of his countenance, and make thy righteousness to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 37:7

Rest in the Lord ; literally, be silent ; i.e. do not murmur; make no complaint; be silently acquiescent and resigned. And wait patiently for him . Be content to await his time, which is sure to be the right time. Meanwhile possess your soul in patience. Fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way (comp. Psalms 37:1 , of which this brings out the sense). It is when the ungodly prosper that the righteous are apt to repine. Because of the man who bringeth wicked... read more

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