Psalm 37:7-9

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 37:7-20

In these verses we have, I. The foregoing precepts inculcated; for we are so apt to disquiet ourselves with needless fruitless discontents and distrusts that it is necessary there should be precept upon precept, and line upon line, to suppress them and arm us against them. 1. Let us compose ourselves by believing in God: ?Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him (Ps. 37:7), that is, be well reconciled to all he does and acquiesce in it, for that is best that is, because it is what God has... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 37:7

Rest in the Lord ,.... Or "be silent to the Lord" F16 דום ליהוה "tace Domino", Pagninus, Montanus; "sile", Musculus, Piscator, Tigurine version, Cocceius, Gejerus, Michaelis; so Ainsworth. ; be still, and know that he is God; quietly submit to his will, and acquiesce in all the dispensations of his providence: it does not design a stupid indolence, or a stoical apathy, that we should be like sticks and stones, without any concern at the hand of God upon us; nor an entire silence... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 37:8

Cease from anger ,.... Either at these wicked men who are so prosperous, or at God, who for the present suffers it; see Jonah 4:9 , Proverbs 19:3 ; and forsake wrath ; which is anger wrought up to a greater degree; and the rather to be shunned and avoided, as being very disagreeable to the character of a good man; fret not thyself in any wise to do evil ; evil may be done by fretting at the prosperity of wicked men, or by imitating them, doing as they do, in hope of being... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 37:9

For evildoers shall be cut off ,.... Though they flourish for a while, they shall be cut down like the grass or flower of the field, or they shall be cut off as branches from a flourishing tree; they shall be cut off from the earth, and rooted out of it by death or some desolating judgment; see Proverbs 2:22 ; and therefore not to be envied and fretted at; but those that wait upon the Lord shall inherit the earth ; such who attend his word, worship, and ordinances; obey his commands,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 37:7

Rest in the Lord - דום dom , "be silent, be dumb." Do not find fault with thy Maker; he does all things well for others, he will do all things well for thee. And wait patiently for him - לו והתחולל vehithcholel lo , and set thyself to expect him; and be determined to expect, or wait for him. Such is the import of a verb in the hithpoel conjugation. A heathen gives good advice on a similar subject: - Nil ergo optabunt homines? Si consilium vis, Permittes ipsis expendere... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 37:9

They shall inherit the earth - The word ארץ arets , throughout this Psalm, should be translated land, not earth; for it is most probable that it refers to the land of Judea; and in this verse there is a promise of their return thither. read more

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 37:1-40

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

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