Psalm 37:1 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 37:1-6

The instructions here given are very plain; much need not be said for the exposition of them, but there is a great deal to be done for the reducing of them to practice, and there they will look best. I. We are here cautioned against discontent at the prosperity and success of evil-doers (Ps. 37:1, 2): Fret not thyself, neither be thou envious. We may suppose that David speaks this to himself first, and preaches it to his own heart (in his communing with that upon his bed), for the suppressing... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 37:1

Fret not thyself because of evildoers ,.... The saints may be grieved at them and for them, because of their evil doings, and may be angry with them for them; yet are not to show any undue warmth, at least in an indecent way, by calling them opprobrious names; for the words may be rendered, "do not show thyself warm" or "angry" F9 תתחר "ne accendaris ira", Junius & Tremellius; "ne exardescas", Gejerus, Michaelis. : in a sinful way; or fret not at their outward prosperity, as it... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 37:1

Fret not thyself because of evil doers - It is as foolish as it is wicked to repine or be envious at the prosperity of others. Whether they are godly or ungodly, it is God who is the dispenser of the bounty they enjoy; and, most assuredly, he has a right to do what he will with his own. To be envious in such a case, is to arraign the providence of God. And it is no small condescension in the Almighty to reason with such persons as he does in this Psalm. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 37:1

Verse 1 1.Fret not thyself because of the wicked. David lays down this as a general principle, that the prosperity of the wicked, in which they greatly rejoice, should on no account vex or disquiet the children of God, because it will soon fade away. On the other hand, although the people of God are afflicted for a time, yet the issue of their afflictions shall be such, that they have every reason to be contented with their lot. Now all this depends upon the providence of God; for unless we are... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 37:1

Fret not thyself because of evildoers . According to Aristotle, we have a special emotion implanted in our nature— νέμεσις —which causes us to "fret" when we witness undeserved prosperity ('Rhet.,' 2.9, § 1). Certainly the feeling is very common and very strong; it is also characteristic of the best natures (see Psalms 73:3-14 ; Job 21:7-15 ; Jeremiah 12:1 , Jeremiah 12:2 ; Malachi 3:15 ). The feeling does not need to be eradicated, but only to be held in check. Faith in God's... 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

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 37:1

Fret not thyself - The Hebrew word here means properly to burn, to be kindled, to be inflamed, and is often applied to anger, as if under its influence we become “heated:” Genesis 31:36; Gen 34:7; 1 Samuel 15:11; 2 Samuel 19:43. Hence, it means to fret oneself, to be angry, or indignant. Compare Proverbs 24:19. We should perhaps express the same idea by the word “worrying” or “chafing.” The state of mind is that where we are worried, or envious, because others are prosperous and successful, and... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 37:1-6

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 37:1

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 37:1

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 37:1

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 37:1

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 37:1-6

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 37:1-40

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 37:1-40

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 37:1-40

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 37:1

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