Psalm 37:1-5 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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 37:2

For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb. Which in the morning looks green, pretty, and flourishing, and in the evening is cut down, and then fades away; see Psalm 90:5 ; and so the wicked prosper and flourish for a while, and then they perish with all their honour, riches, and wealth; so that their happiness is a very short lived one, and therefore need not be envied and fretted at. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 37:3

Trust in the Lord ,.... Not in men, who are fading and perishing like the green grass and tender herb; nor in riches, which are very uncertain things; but in the Lord, in whom is everlasting strength; and with whom are riches and honour, yea, durable riches and righteousness; trust in him both for things temporal and spiritual, for soul and body, for time and eternity; the way to have peace and quietness of mind under all dispensations is to exercise faith on a promising God. The Targum is,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 37:4

Delight thyself also in the Lord ,.... In the persons in God, Father, Son, and Spirit; in the perfections of God, his power, goodness, faithfulness, wisdom, love, grace, and mercy; in his works of creation, providence, and redemption; in his word, his Gospel, the truths and ordinances of it; in his house, and the worship of it; and in his people, the excellent in the earth, in whom was all the delight of the psalmist; and each of these afford a field of delight and pleasure, to attend unto,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 37:5

Commit thy way unto the Lord ,.... Or "thy works", as in Proverbs 16:3 ; that is, all the affairs and business of life, which are a man's ways in which he walks; not that men should sit still, be inactive, and do nothing, and leave all to be done by the Lord; but should seek direction of God in everything engaged in, and for strength and assistance to perform it, and go on in it, and depend upon him for success, and give him all the glory, without trusting to any thing done by them: or, as... 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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 37:2

For they shall soon be cut down - They have their portion in this life; and their enjoyment of it cannot be long, for their breath is but a vapor that speedily vanishes away. They fall before death, as the greensward does before the scythe of the mower. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 37:3

Dwell in the land - Do not flee to foreign climes to escape from that providence which, for thy own good, denies thee affluence in thy own country. And verily thou shalt be fed - God will provide for thee the necessaries of life: its conveniences might damp thy intellect in its inventions, and lead thee into idleness; and its superfluities would induce thee to pamper thy passions till the concerns of thy soul would be absorbed in those of the flesh and, after having lived an animal life,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 37:4

Delight thyself also in the Lord - Expect all thy happiness from him, and seek it in him. The desires of thine heart - משאלות mishaloth , the petitions. The godly man never indulges a desire which he cannot form into a prayer to God. read more

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

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 37:2

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 37:3

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 37:4

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 37:5

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

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 37:2

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 37:3

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 37:4

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