ESV Global Study Bible :: Footnotes for Psalms 37

Psalm Ps. 37. This can be called a wisdom psalm because it reflects on themes normally dealt with in the Bible’s Wisdom Literature, particularly in Proverbs. It addresses the issue of why godless people often prosper. It shows that it really is better to stay loyal to the Lord—a loyalty expressed in contentment, honesty, and generosity. In his own good time, the Lord will make a clear distinction between the godless and the faithful. Meanwhile, the faithful must wait patiently.

Ps. 37:1 Because they know that the Lord will eventually bring justice, the faithful should not fret (see note on v. 9).

Ps. 37:4 The Lord will give the faithful the desires of their heart, that is, he will give them what their heart longs for. It is safe to say this, because as the faithful delight in the Lord, their hearts will desire the right things (see vv. 16, 31).

Ps. 37:9 The contrast between the two outcomes, those who shall be cut off and those who shall inherit the land, recurs throughout the psalm (vv. 11, 22, 28–29, 34). See also Prov. 2:21–22. “Cut off” describes the “future of the wicked” (Ps. 37:38), which likely refers to the afterlife.

Ps. 37:11 Psalm 37 is concerned with ultimate outcomes, not simply the benefits of this present world. This accounts for why Jesus uses the first half of this verse in the third beatitude (Matt. 5:5): Jesus’ beatitudes describe benefits that are to be fully enjoyed at the last day.

Ps. 37:12–20 The wicked person may hatch all manner of schemes against the righteous person (v. 12), but the faithful can live in contentment, even with little (v. 16; see Prov. 15:16; 16:8). They are confident that God knows the days of the blameless (Ps. 37:18) and will see to it that the wicked will perish, unfulfilled (v. 20).

Ps. 37:21–31 The contented person is free to give generously to the needy (do good, v. 27). Without such contentment one might be greedy and envious, or else be fearful about becoming poor. He knows his steps . . . are established by the Lord (v. 23), and thus even though he fall (probably, “suffer material hardship”) he can recover, for the Lord upholds his hand (v. 24). Verse 25 does not deny that there may be temporary setbacks for the righteous. The focus is on the ultimate outcome.

Ps. 37:32–40 This final section assures the faithful that the Lord will not abandon them to the power of the wicked (vv. 32–33). He will ensure that both the righteous and the wicked receive their proper reward in due time (probably in the world to come, vv. 37–38; see note on v. 9).