Who would have thought that the Psalms of David, written three thousand years ago, would have been so applicable and relevant to today's world, despite its standard of education, scientific advances and unbelievable technological developments?
Knowledge abounds but there remains the nature of man, which has not changed. Despite the advantages of modern civilisation, evil and violence are evident worldwide today. The other factor that still exists is the rejection of the existence and power of the Creator.
Evil is to be destroyed
Psalm 145 states that Yahweh's goodness and mercy is towards those who love and reverence him. However there is a contrast given about those who are described as “wicked”. They are to be destroyed.
The LORD preserves all them that love him: but all the wicked will he destroy. My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD: and let all flesh bless his holy name for ever and ever.(Psalms 145:20-21)
David, who experienced the violence that man could inflict on his fellow man, wanted the wickedness of the wicked to end.
Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the just: for the righteous God tries the hearts and reins. (Psalm 7:9)
In Psalm 9, David clearly declares that Yahweh will judge those people and nations which reject God.
The LORD is known by the judgement which he executes: the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Selah. The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God. (Psalm 9:16-17)
David is confident about the nature of the judgement that would be poured out upon the wicked.
The LORD tries the righteous: but the wicked and him that loves violence his soul hates.
Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup. (Psalm 11: 5-6)
Psalm 34, another Psalm of David contrasts the destiny of the wicked and the faithful. The wicked will be slain and “desolate”, but there is redemption for those who trust in Yahweh.
Evil shall slay the wicked: and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate. The LORD redeems the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate. (Psalm 34: 21-22)
King David really understood the trials of life. Many sought to take his life and he knew of the wicked devices that men used to oppress others. Despite so much adversity in his life, he possessed an optimism and trust in Yahweh that was reflected in Psalm 37. He thoroughly believed in Yahweh's promise that there was a judgement to come on the wicked, who would be destroyed but salvation would be the reward of the faithful.
Do not fear
The Psalm opens with the advice not to
fear or envy evil doers, because they would ultimately be destroyed.
This advice might have been given thousands of years ago, but how
relevant it is for us as we see so much violence in the earth today!
Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.(Psalm 37: 1-2)
The following verses give advice to the faithful so that they are strengthened to withstand the evil that they may encounter and to have not part in the exploits of the wicked..
Trust in the LORD, ... Delight thyself also in the LORD; ... Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him;... And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgement as the noonday.... Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself ... because of the man who brings wicked devices to pass.... Cease from anger, ...: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil. (Psalm37: 3-8)
We can trust in The Promise of Peace
Then there is the promise that is given to the faithful. The promise remains for us today and is repeated in the Psalm, confirming it. The promise is same as the promise given by the Messiah in Matthew 5, that “the meek shall inherit the earth”, and we have here also that there will be an “abundance of peace”. This is what so many people cry out for in our present world, but is so unattainable because of the wickedness, violence and immorality that exists today daily displayed on TV screens.
For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth. For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, ... But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. (Psalm 37: 9-11)
The next section of the Psalm deals
with the wicked, their devices and their destiny. The wicked plot
against the just, ... The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have
bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, and to slay
such as be of upright conversation. Their sword shall enter into
their own heart, and their bows shall be broken.... For the arms of
the wicked shall be broken: but the LORD upholds
the righteous. (Psalm 37:12,.14,15,17)
There follows a long section that compares the way that Yahweh deals with the wicked and his mercy upon the righteous, whose “inheritance shall be for ever”. The attributes of the righteous are compared to those of the wicked. There is a promise that in times of difficulty the righteous will be cared for and sustained.
The LORD knows the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be for ever. They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied. But the wicked shall perish, and the enemies of the LORD shall be as the fat of lambs: they shall consume; into smoke shall they consume away. The wicked borrow, and pay not again: but the righteous shows mercy, and gives.
For such as be blessed of him shall inherit the earth; and they that be cursed of him shall be cut off. (Psalm 37:18-22)
The faithful are again assured of Yahweh's protection and the ultimate promise of an inheritance.
For the LORD loves judgement, and forsakes not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off. The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever. The mouth of the righteous speaks wisdom, and his tongue talks of judgement. The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide.(Psalm 37:28-31)
The Psalm concludes with a repetition of the judgement to come on the wicked and salvation for the righteous. David includes his first hand experiences of the wicked in powerful positions and how they lost this power. History abounds with the rise and fall of powerful men and nations and we today await a judgement to come on the earth, and the establishment of justice and peace in the earth.
The wicked watches the righteous, and seeks to slay him. The LORD will not leave him in his hand, nor condemn him when he is judged.
Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, you shall see it.
I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree. Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found.
Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace. But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off.
But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble. And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him. (Psalm37:32-40)
If we fear the things that are coming on this world we are not alone. King David faced trials and experienced fear but he always placed his trust and confidence in Yahweh. His Psalms reflect his anguish and also his confidence in Yahweh, as seen in his heartfelt prayers and pleas. Reading his Psalms can create for us a pattern that we can follow and gain guidance and strength from. We need to keep before our eyes the promise and hope repeated many times in the Bible. There will be a better time ahead for those who search the Bible and believe, as David believed and said that:
“the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.” (Psalm 37: 11)
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