Click this link to hear an audio version of the below text narrated by SOTH member Jerry Rhinehart:
Psalm 37:1-20 (NIV)
Of David.
1 Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong; 2 for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away. 3 Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. 4 Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: 6 He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun. 7 Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. 8 Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil. 9 For those who are evil will be destroyed, but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land. 10 A little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found. 11 But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy peace and prosperity. 12 The wicked plot against the righteous
and gnash their teeth at them; 13 but the Lord laughs at the wicked, for he knows their day is coming. 14 The wicked draw the sword and bend the bow to bring down the poor and needy, to slay those whose ways are upright. 15 But their swords will pierce their own hearts, and their bows will be broken. 16 Better the little that the righteous have than the wealth of many wicked; 17 for the power of the wicked will be broken, but the Lord upholds the righteous. 18 The blameless spend their days under the Lord’s care, and their inheritance will endure forever.
19 In times of disaster they will not wither; in days of famine, they will enjoy plenty. 20 But the wicked will perish: Though the Lord’s enemies are like the flowers of the field, they will be consumed, they will go up in smoke.
Is the psalmist addressing God, man, or himself?
Lord, You are in control. I trust in You. The instruction in this psalm provides Godly wisdom that shows the contrast between wicked and the righteous. Wickedness seems to be winning. Merciless people plot against good people, but You laugh because You know their time is coming soon. Instead of fretting and getting angry over the schemes of the wicked, I bring my fears to You. Anger only leads to evil. You lead to peace and prosperity. Let me be still before You and wait patiently for You. I have faith in You. Faith is trust. It is the opposite of fear and panic. I know that You hear my prayers. I know that I am in Your daily care. Help me to delight in You and all that You have done and are doing. Lord, as I do the things that You want, and focus on reflecting Your love in my life, You will give me the desires of my heart. The things You give me are so much better than what I try to get them for myself. Protect me from those who chose to bring me down, and let me protect others who are poor and needy. Lead me to serve You in the midst of the wicked. The evil will perish. They will destroy themselves. But obeying Your wisdom will keep me in your will. It will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, and your vindication like the noonday sun. Lord, keep me from fear, envy, and anger as I trust in you. Today I want to commit my way to you. I will be still before you, God. I will delight in you. You are God. You are in control. I trust in You. Amen