INSTRUCTIONS FOR QUALITY LIVING
PSALM 37:1-5
PSALM 37:1-5 NKJV
1 Do not fret because of evildoers,
Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity.
2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass,
And wither as the green herb.
3 Trust in the Lord, and do good;
Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.
4 Delight yourself also in the Lord,
And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
5 Commit your way to the Lord,
Trust also in Him,
And He shall bring it to pass.
OBSERVATION:
In many of David's psalms, we see his personal expressions. He would express concern over his problems and his confidence in God's deliverance. David would describe the condition of evil people and how they impacted him.
Over and over, we see David's personal declaration about the Lord. But not in Psalm 37.
In Psalm 37, it seems as if David stood apart from personal convictions and expressions. In this Psalm, David assumes the voice of a teacher instructing the reader. His instructions contrast the wicked versus the righteous. This theme begins with the first five verses that we are looking at today.
Do not get upset or envious of evildoers who appear to be doing well. Their position is temporary, and their day is coming. David likens evil people to grass and green herbs with a short shelf life.
Instead, trust the Lord and do good. We could stop right there and have a wonderful vision statement for our lives. Trust God and do good. The results of trusting God and doing good are longevity and fulfillment.
“Feed on His faithfulness” is a bit unclear to our thinking. Other versions read, "you will be fed or tended to." The NLT says, “then you will live safely in the land and prosper.”
Delight, take pleasure in the Lord. And He will give you the desires of your heart. Please note the desires of our heart, not our flesh, and there is a difference.
Commit your way to the Lord. This would be looking to Him and acknowledging God and His involvement in your life. Trust in Him, and He will bring it to pass. He is bringing to pass the ways we bring to Him first.
Five verses that are packed with wisdom.
APPLICATION:
Just doing these five verses, and putting them into practice in our lives, can change things.
Trusting the Lord is mentioned twice and forms the foundation for all our actions. And yet this is not a blind trust with no rewards.
These verses give us instructions and promises. Wonderful promises of good things from our good Father. A quality life that God desires for all His children.