Psalm 37 | Bible Study Notes

[!NOTE] Primary Scripture Reading: Psalm 37:1-6

I. Introduction: Do not let the prosperity and success of evildoers discourage you

II. v.1-2

A. David, like many righteous people, looked around at the world and it appeared that evil people prospered while the good did not

B. Emotional response

C. Do not fret – do not let it irritate or cause emotional strain Do not envy them – do not desire to be like them Though fretting and envy might seem natural, God’s people must look beyond material possessions and consider eternal consequences.

D. God’s child must not forget his special relationship with God and its reward

III. Trust in the Lord, v.3-4

A. We must put our confidence in the Lord

B. If being a child of God assured one of material wealth, all would obey. Those who truly love God do so despite their financial situation.

C. Having confidence in God, we must obey Him for we desire to please Him

D. By trusting and obeying God, we find our life in Him

E. Dwell in God’s faithfulness

F. Matthew 6:25-34 Psalm 37:25 God does not promise the great riches of the world for we have greater riches in our God.

G. Delight yourself in God

H. Though you may not prosper financially, you should take delight in God’s companionship God must be our treasure; if we had nothing but our relationship with Him we would be extremely wealthy—do we believe this? God takes care of us and gives us greater joy, blessing, and happiness than the world could ever give.v. 39-40

IV. Commit to the Lord, v.5-6

A. Our relationship with God must not be halfhearted

B. Psalm 119:2-3 Matthew 22:37-38

C. When we commit our lives to God, we will not be disappointed

D. 2 Chronicles 16:9a2 Timothy 1:12 – Through commitment Paul could endure many trials

V. Rest in the Lord, v.7-15

A. God will bring justice in His time so be patient

B. Those who are impatient will be frustrated but it will accomplish nothing.

C. Seeing people who do evil and yet benefit financially frustrates us

D. It galls us to see people becoming wealthy for producing offensive music and movies that oppose all that is decent and pure. It is frustrating to see great wealth in the hands of such perverted and godless men like Hugh Hefner and Larry Flynt and others enriched through the pornography industry.

E. There is no use being angry about the inequities of life

F. If we are not careful, our anger could become directed at God

G. Why have you allowed this to happen? Psalm 73:4-14 – Have I lived for God in vain? Being jealous and agitated only hurts us, it changes nothing

H. Remember your inheritance

I. 9-11 - The good have an inheritance with God; the evil have nothing

J. Three times in Psalm 37, Davis says the righteous will inherit the earth

K. It does not mean that we will inherit the riches of the earth—David argues against desiring physical prosperity!1 Timothy 6:17 – God gives us all things richly

L. God’s people enjoy the greatest treasures of earth that cannot be bought with money but the rich generally do not have.

M. We have peace, purpose in life, satisfaction, true joy, and experience the depth of love that only God can give Many would give all of their riches for a good marriage, a sense of purpose in life, or simply to know peace

N. Earth’s treasures are passing

O. Matthew 6:19-21 – Earthly riches grow corrupt and worthless2 Peter 3:11-12 – All will be destroyed True Christians enjoy life despite the external circumstances. Treasures denied on earth make the treasures of heaven much sweeter John Bunyan: Passion has his good things first, and they are soon over; Patience has his good things last, and they last forever. The wealth of the wicked is a trap for he does not trust in God

P. Wait for God’s justice, v.12-15

Q. God will repay the wicked for oppressing the righteous2 Thessalonians 1:4-10 – God will avenge the righteous The oppression of the righteous will lead to their own destruction, v.15 Psalm 73:16-19 – Their wealth is a slippery foundation Through verses 27-40, David said that God would preserve the righteous and destroy the wicked

VI. Be content in the Lord, v.16-25

A. The few possessions of the righteous outweigh the riches of the wicked

B. Ecclesiastes 4:6-8 – Better is a handful with quietness1 Timothy 6:6-10 – godliness with contentment is great gain

C. God gives His children what they need

E. Discontentment can lead to ungratefulness

VII. Summary – v.37

I. Introduction: Do not let the prosperity and success of evildoers discourage you

II. v.1-2

A. David, like many righteous people, looked around at the world and it appeared that evil people prospered while the good did not

B. Emotional response

C. Do not fret – do not let it irritate or cause emotional strain Do not envy them – do not desire to be like them Though fretting and envy might seem natural, God’s people must look beyond material possessions and consider eternal consequences.

D. God’s child must not forget his special relationship with God and its reward

III. Trust in the Lord, v.3-4

A. We must put our confidence in the Lord

B. If being a child of God assured one of material wealth, all would obey. Those who truly love God do so despite their financial situation.

C. Having confidence in God, we must obey Him for we desire to please Him

D. By trusting and obeying God, we find our life in Him

E. Dwell in God’s faithfulness

F. Matthew 6:25-34 Psalm 37:25 God does not promise the great riches of the world for we have greater riches in our God.

G. Delight yourself in God

IV. Commit to the Lord, v.5-6

A. Our relationship with God must not be halfhearted

B. Psalm 119:2-3 Matthew 22:37-38

C. When we commit our lives to God, we will not be disappointed

D. 2 Chronicles 16:9a2 Timothy 1:12 – Through commitment Paul could endure many trials

V. Rest in the Lord, v.7-15

A. God will bring justice in His time so be patient

B. Those who are impatient will be frustrated but it will accomplish nothing.

C. Seeing people who do evil and yet benefit financially frustrates us

D. It galls us to see people becoming wealthy for producing offensive music and movies that oppose all that is decent and pure. It is frustrating to see great wealth in the hands of such perverted and godless men like Hugh Hefner and Larry Flynt and others enriched through the pornography industry.

E. There is no use being angry about the inequities of life

F. If we are not careful, our anger could become directed at God

G. Why have you allowed this to happen? Psalm 73:4-14 – Have I lived for God in vain? Being jealous and agitated only hurts us, it changes nothing

H. Remember your inheritance

I. 9-11 - The good have an inheritance with God; the evil have nothing

J. Three times in Psalm 37, Davis says the righteous will inherit the earth

K. It does not mean that we will inherit the riches of the earth—David argues against desiring physical prosperity!1 Timothy 6:17 – God gives us all things richly

L. God’s people enjoy the greatest treasures of earth that cannot be bought with money but the rich generally do not have.

M. We have peace, purpose in life, satisfaction, true joy, and experience the depth of love that only God can give Many would give all of their riches for a good marriage, a sense of purpose in life, or simply to know peace

N. Earth’s treasures are passing

P. Wait for God’s justice, v.12-15

VI. Be content in the Lord, v.16-25

A. The few possessions of the righteous outweigh the riches of the wicked

B. Ecclesiastes 4:6-8 – Better is a handful with quietness1 Timothy 6:6-10 – godliness with contentment is great gain

C. God gives His children what they need

D. They will not starve in famine or hard times, v.19 and v.25 They have enough to share with those in need, v.21 As read before, if we seek God and His righteousness, He will care for us for “life does not consist in the abundance of man’s possessions.”

E. Discontentment can lead to ungratefulness

VII. Summary – v.37