There is no substitute for experience. The wisdom of a righteous person with the hoary frost of time upon his head is invaluable. Psalm 37 was written by David as an old man (v. 25). It is possible that this was the last psalm he wrote. From his deep well of experience—fed by the springs of the sheepfold, the battlefield, and the palace—he summarizes into seven pithy statements his inspired rules for wise living. They are:
- “Do not fret because of evildoers, nor be envious of the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass and wither as the green herb” (vv. 1-2).
- “Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness” (v. 3).
- “Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart” (v. 4).
- “Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass. He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light and your justice as the noonday” (vv. 5-6).
- “Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him; do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass” (v. 7).
- “Cease from anger and forsake wrath; do not fret—it only causes harm. For evildoers shall be cut off, but those who wait on the Lord, they shall inherit the earth. For yet a little while and the wicked shall be no more; indeed, you will look carefully for his place, but it shall be no more” (vv. 8-10).
- “Wait on the Lord and keep His way, and He shall exalt you to inherit the land; when the wicked are cut off, you shall see it” (v. 34).
Are you living wisely?
