Psalm 37 Continued…
Psalm 37 is a wisdom Psalm that David composed pondering the question, that many of us also ponder: why do the wicked prosper? He takes up this same question in Psalm 73. It is an appropriate question. But the ultimate conclusion David draws is that God’s justice will prevail in the end.
It is hard when we see evil people doing evil things and then not seeing justice occur for them and, in many cases, seeing them do well and prosper. Twice in this Psalm David says, “I have never seen…” (Verse 25) and “I have seen…” (Verse 35). We are seeing David’s personal reflections in this Psalm. In the first instance, he identifies himself as an old man:
Psalm 37:25-26 I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread. They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be blessed.
He is sharing his long experience of God’s faithfulness with those who will listen. In the second instance, he offers a word about the wicked, ensuring that they will indeed pass away.
Psalm 37:35-36 I have seen a wicked and ruthless man flourishing like a green tree in its native soil, but he soon passed away and was no more; though I looked for him, he could not be found.
It is important for us to remember as we consider the wicked, that they do not get the last word. God does. And David had lived long enough to be able to conclude with certainty that is indeed the case. David knew what the end of the wicked life brings:
Psalm 37:13 but the Lord laughs at the wicked, for he knows their day is coming.
When we see this in our own situations we need to learn from the wisdom of David and take encouragement from the fact, that even though things may appear to benefit the wicked…that will not last. Judgment is coming.
Our focus is to trust in the Lord and do good. God’s justice will not be forfeited.
PRAY
Father help me to be content with not having to see justice meted out with my own eyes but to have confidence in your ability to handle all things.