22. Portrait of Godliness, Psalm 37

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Hymns: RHC 338 Show Me Thy Way, O Lord, 409 Take Time to Be Holy, 423 Follow, I Will Follow Thee

 

Psalm 37:1-40 (KJV)

1 Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. 2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb. 3 Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. 4 Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. 5 Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. 6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday. 7 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. 8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil. 9 For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth. 10 For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be. 11 But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. 12 The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth. 13 The Lord shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming. 14 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. 15 Their sword shall enter into their own heart, and their bows shall be broken. 16 A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked. 17 For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the LORD upholdeth the righteous. 18 The LORD knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be for ever. 19 They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied. 20 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. 21 The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth. 22 For such as be blessed of him shall inherit the earth; and they that be cursed of him shall be cut off. 23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. 24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand. 25 I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. 26 He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed. 27 Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore. 28 For the LORD loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off. 29 The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever. 30 The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment. 31 The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide. 32 The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him. 33 The LORD will not leave him in his hand, nor condemn him when he is judged. 34 Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it. 35 I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree. 36 Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found.37 Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace. 38 But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off. 39 But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble. 40 And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him.

Portrait of Godliness

OUTLINE

  • The Godly Man
  • His Blessings
  • His God
  • His Enemy

 

INTRODUCTION

This psalm was written by King David in his old age, “I have been young, and now am old” (v 25). The quintessential of the Godly man delineated. The purest and most perfect example of a Spirit-filled Christian (gever) presented, “Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright” (verse 37).

  • The Godly Man

He is characterized by

His consistent faith in God & constant provision from God, “Trust in the LORD, and do good…verily thou shalt be fed” (v 3, 5, 40).

3 Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed…5 Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass…40 And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him.

  • Taking pleasure in God & is richly rewarded “Delight thyself…in the LORD…he shall give thee the desires of thine heart” (v4, 23)

 

4 Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart…23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.

  • I will cause you to ride upon the high places of the earth (Isaiah 58:14a)
  • I will cause feed you with the heritage of Jacob thy father. (Isaiah 58:14b)

 

One of his key delight is the keeping of the Sabbath – Isaiah 58:13-14 If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words: Then shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.

  • Fully Entrusting his life to God & is divinely guided and protected, “Commit thy way unto the LORD…he shall bring it to pass” (v 5, 13, 15, 17, 19)

5 Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass…13 The Lord shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming…15 Their sword shall enter into their own heart, and their bows shall be broken…17 For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the LORD upholdeth the righteous…19 They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.

  • Having freedom from anxiety even amidst suffering & poverty with enduring, unwearied, uncomplaining & longsuffering spirit for God to act “Rest in the LORD…wait patiently for Him” (v 7, 34)

7 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass…34 Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.

  • Refusing to be enraged to do evil “Cease from anger…in any wise to do evil” (v 8)

8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.

  • Contented with his lot in life “A little that a righteous man hath is better” (v 16)

 

16 A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked.

  • Humbleness, submissiveness & gentleness of spirit together with honest, respectable and honourable countenance & blessed with an earthly inheritance “But the meek shall inherit the earth…” (v 11, 22, 29) “The LORD knows the days of the upright…their inheritance shall be forever (v 18).

 

11 But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace…22 For such as be blessed of him shall inherit the earth; and they that be cursed of him shall be cut off…29 The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever…18 The LORD knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be for ever.

  • Filled with God’s Word thus able to take steady steps “The law of his God is in his heart, none of his steps shall slide.”(v 31)

31 The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide.

  • His Blessings

He is blessed with

  • God’s upholding hand (v 24)

 

24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.

  • God’s provision (v 25-26)

25 I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. 26 He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed.

 

  • God’s peace (v 37c)

37 Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace.

 

  • God’s strength and salvation (v 39)

 

39 But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble.

 

  • God’s help and deliverance (v 40)
  • His God
  • Covenant-keeping – LORD (v 3-5,7,9,17-18,20,23-24,28,33-34,39-40)

 

3 Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. 4 Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. 5 Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass…7 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass…9 For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth…17 For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the LORD upholdeth the righteous. 18 The LORD knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be for ever…20 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…23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. 24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand…28 For the LORD loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off…33 The LORD will not leave him in his hand, nor condemn him when he is judged. 34 Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it…39 But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble. 40 And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him.

 

  • Preserves His people (v 18)

 

18 The LORD knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be for ever.

  • Ever-Merciful (v 26)

26 He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed.

  • Lendeth (v 26)

26 He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed.

  • Just Judge against wicked (v 20, 28)

20 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…28 For the LORD loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.

 

  • Trustworthy (v 3,5,40)

 

3 Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed…5 Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass…40 And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him.

  • Deliverer/Helper/Saviour (v 39-40)

 

39 But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble. 40 And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him.

  • Provider (v 18-19)

 

18 The LORD knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be for ever. 19 They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.

  • Sustainer (v 24)

24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.

  • Unfailing (v 28)

28 For the LORD loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.

 

  • His Enemy
    • Name
      1. Wicked (v 12,14,20-21,32,35,38b,40)

 12 The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth…14 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…20 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. 21 The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth…32 The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him…38 … the end of the wicked shall be cut off…40 And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him.

 

  • Evildoers (v 1a,9)

1 Fret not thyself because of evildoers,.. 9 For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth.

 

  • Workers of iniquity (v 1b)

1 …neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.

 

  • Transgressors (v 38a)

38 But the transgressors shall be destroyed together:…

  • Temporal Prosperity (v 7, 16)

7 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass…16 A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked.

  • Cut-Off/Perish/Consumed/Destroyed (v 9, 20, 22, 28, 38)

 

9 For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth…20 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…. 22 For such as be blessed of him shall inherit the earth; and they that be cursed of him shall be cut off…. 38 But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off.

  • Judged (v 13)

 

13 The Lord shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming.

  • Oppress (v 14)

 

14 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.

  • Boomerang Judgment (v 15)

15 Their sword shall enter into their own heart, and their bows shall be broken.

  • Attempt in futility to Ambush/Slay the righteous (v 32)

 

32 The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him.

 

CONCLUSION

  • Absorb – Understand the portrait of the godly & his blessings, his God, His enemy’s sad ending.
  • Assimilate – Follow the godly man’s example & be richly blessed by His covenant-keeping God.

The godly man and his blessings come from his good God who subdues all His enemies. Therefore, take heart, dear brethren. He is able! Wholly depend on Him. Behold the salvation of the LORD.

Hymn: The Steps of a Good Man

The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord

And He delighteth in His ways

Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down

For the Lord, for the Lord upholdeth him with His hand.