Psalms 37 — Jamieson–Fausset–Brown
37:1–2
1-2. The general sentiment of the whole Psalm is expressed. The righteous need not be vexed by the prosperity of the wicked; for it is transient, and their destiny undesirable.
37:3
3. Trust--sure of safety. shalt thou dwell--or, "dwell thou"; repose quietly. verily ... fed--or, "feed on truth," God's promise (Psa 36:5; compare Ho 12:1).
37:4
4. desires--(Psa 20:5; 21:2), what is lawful and right, really good (Psa 84:11).
37:5
5. Commit thy way--(Pr 16:3). Works--what you have to do and cannot set forth as a burden. trust ... in him--literally, "on Him." He will do what you cannot (compare Psa 22:8; 31:6). He will not suffer your character to remain under suspicion.
37:7–8
7-8. Rest in--literally, "Be silent to the Lord." and wait--Be submissive--avoid petulance and murmurings, anger and rash doing.
37:9
9. Two reasons: The prosperity of the wicked is short; and the pious, by humble trust, will secure all covenant blessing, denoted here by "inherit the earth" (compare Psa 25:13).
37:10–11
10-11. shall not be--literally, "is not"--is not to be found.
37:12
12. gnasheth ... teeth--in beastly rage.
37:13
13. (Compare Psa 2:4). seeth--knows certainly. his day--of punishment, long delayed, shall yet come (He 10:37).
37:14–15
14-15. sword, and ... bow--for any instruments of violence. slay--literally, "slaughter" (1Sa 25:11). poor and needy--God's people (Psa 10:17; 12:5). The punishment of the wicked as drawn on themselves--often mentioned (compare Psa 7:15, 16; 35:8).
37:16
16. riches--literally, "noise and tumult," as incidental to much wealth (compare Psa 39:6). Thus the contrast with the "little" of one man is more vivid.
37:17
17. Even the members of the body needed to hold weapons are destroyed.
37:18–19
18-19. God, who knows His people's changes, provides against evil and supplies all their need.
37:20
20. While the wicked, however mighty, are destroyed, and that utterly, as smoke which vanishes and leaves no trace.
37:21–22
21-22. payeth not--not able; having grown poor (compare De 15:7). Ability of the one and inability of the other do not exclude moral dispositions. God's blessing or cursing makes the difference.
37:23–24
23-24. steps--way, or, "course of life"; as ordered by God, failures will not be permanent.
37:26
26. his seed is blessed--literally, "for a blessing" (Ge 12:2; Psa 21:6). This position is still true as the rule of God's economy (1Ti 4:8; 6:6).
37:27–29
27-29. The exhortation is sustained by the assurance of God's essential rectitude in that providential government which provides perpetual blessings for the good, and perpetual misery for the wicked.
37:30–31
30-31. The righteous described as to the elements of character, thought, word, and action.
37:32–33
32-33. The devices of the wicked against the good fail because God acquits them.
37:34
34. On the contrary, the good are not only blessed, but made to see the ruin of their foes.
37:35–36
35-36. of which a picture is given, under the figure of a flourishing tree (compare Margin), which soon withers.
37:37
37. By "the end" is meant reward (Pr 23:18; 24:14), or expectation of success, as in Psa 37:38, which describes the end of the wicked in contrast, and that is cut off (compare Psa 73:17).
37:38
38. together--at once; entirely (Psa 4:8).
37:39–40
39-40. strength--(Psa 27:1; 28:8). trouble--straits (Psa 9:9; 10:1). In trust and quietness is the salvation of the pious from all foes and all their devices.