Psalm 37:8

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 37:8

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 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

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 37:7-11

Confidence in God. The text of the whole psalm is in the first two verses. We are not to be discouraged in the service of God by the prosperity of the wicked; for it is more apparent than real, and is a short-lived prosperity. At the seventh verse the psalm takes a fresh start from the same key-note. I. SILENT TRUST IN GOD , WAITING FOR HIM , IS THE ONLY TRUE SOLUTION OF THE DIFFICULTY . ( Psalms 37:7 .) Do not vainly argue the question; be silent to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 37:8

Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; i.e. such anger and such wrath as the prosperity of the wicked calls forth. Fret not thyself in any wise to do evil; rather, fret not thyself , only to do evil. No result could be looked for from the sort of "fretting" spoken of, but an evil one. If men will dwell unduly on the fact of the prosperity of the wicked, and brood upon it in their hearts, they will be apt, in the first instance, to envy the wicked, which is at once "to do evil;" and... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 37:8

Cease from anger - That is, in reference to the fact that there are wicked people, and that they are permitted to carry out their plans. Do not allow your mind to be excited with envious, fretful, wrathful, or murmuring feelings against God because he bears patiently with them, and because they are allowed a temporary prosperity and triumph. Be calm, whatever may be the wickedness of the world. The supreme direction belongs to God, and he will dispose of it in the best way.And forsake wrath -... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 37:7-8

Psalms 37:7-8. Rest in the Lord Hebrew, דום , dom, Be silent unto, or for, or because of, the Lord: that is, do not murmur or repine at his dealings with thee, but silently and quietly submit to his will, and adore his judgments, and, as it follows, wait for his help. This advice and command is urged again and again, to teach us how hard it is to learn and practise this lesson. Fret not because of him who prospereth in his way In his evil way, as it is limited in the following... read more

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