Psalms 37:12-20 - Homilies By C. Short

The righteous and the wicked.

The argument is continued and repeated in various forms, that the righteous is to hold fast his confidence in God, and not to be discouraged by the prosperity of the wicked. For—

I. CONSIDER THE EXPERIENCE OF THE WICKED . ( Psalms 37:12-15 , Psalms 37:20 .)

1 . The impotence of the plots which they in their anger devise. ( Psalms 37:12 , Psalms 37:13 .) The Lord shall laugh. "No weapon formed against him shall prosper."

2 . The punishment of the wicked is near and certain. ( Psalms 37:13 , Psalms 37:20 .) "He seeth that his day is coming."

3 . The weapons which they employ against the righteous shall recoil upon themselves. ( Psalms 37:14 , Psalms 37:15 .) God overrules the contest between them.

II. THE BLESSEDNESS Or THE RIGHTEOUS . ( Psalms 37:16-19 .)

1 . A little with righteousness is worth more than much with wickedness. ( Psalms 37:16 .)

2 . The strength of the righteous is maintained and upheld by God. ( Psalms 37:17 .) While the "arms"—equivalent to the "strength"—of the wicked soon break down.

3 . They fulfil their divinely appointed days , and their goods descend to their posterity. ( Psalms 37:18 .) They are secure, and all things work together for good. The Christian knows of an eternal inheritance.

4 . God will provide for all their wants. ( Psalms 37:19 .) This we know more abundantly in Christ.—S.