Delight thyself also in the Lord. Draw from communion with God all that inward intensity of joy which it is capable of giving. And he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. God will then grant thee all thy desires, and make thee perfectly happy. read more
Delight in God. "Delight thyself," etc. The order of these words makes all the difference between a religion of selfishness and a religion of love. Not, "The Lord will give you what your heart is set on; therefore delight in him;" but, "Delight thyself in the Lord; let him be thy Joy—Fountain of happiness and Object of desire; then thy most earnest petitions, deepest wants, highest aspirations, shall all be satisfied in him." Delight in God includes satisfaction and joy— I. IN ... read more
Here we have a Sweet picture of a noble life. I. QUIET HEART . The eye, the ear, the imagination, continually bring before us objects that appeal to our desires . We are in danger of being distracted and harassed, and of even yielding to envy and discontent. The cure is from God. When we come to know him as he is, to believe in him as he has revealed himself in Christ Jesus, we are able to rest in him with confidence, leaving everything to his righteous and loving rule. II. ... read more
Commit thy way unto the Lord (comp. Proverbs 16:3 ; Psalms 22:8 ). The meaning is, "Cast thyself and thy life unreservedly upon God—yield thyself wholly to him—look to him for support and guidance." Trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass . "He will accomplish all that thy faith has laid upon him" (Kay). read more
Delight thyself also in the - Lord. The word rendered “delight” means properly to live delicately and effeminately; then, to be tender or delicate; then, to live a life of ease or pleasure; then, to find delight or pleasure in anything. The meaning here is, that we should seek our happiness in God - in his being, his perfections, his friendship, his love.And he shall give thee the desires of thine heart - literally, the “askings,” or the “requests” of thy heart. What you really “desire” will be... read more
Commit thy way unto the - Lord. Margin, as in Hebrew, “Roll thy way upon, the Lord.” Compare the notes at Psalms 22:8, where the marg., as the Hebrew, is, “He rolled himself on the Lord.” See also 1 Peter 5:7. The idea is that of rolling a heavy burden from ourselves on another, or laying it upon him, so that he may bear it. The burden which we have not got strength to bear we may lay on God. The term “way” means properly the act of treading or going; then, a way or path; then, a course of... read more
Psalms 37:4. Delight thyself also in the Lord In his favour and service, and in the study of his word and promises; and he shall give thee the desire of thy heart Thy just desires, or whatsoever is truly desirable and good for thee. This limitation is necessary to be understood, both from divers places of Scripture, and from the nature of the things; for it is unreasonable to imagine that God would engage himself to grant their sinful and inordinate desires, and it would also be a curse... read more
Psalms 37:5-6. Commit thy way unto the Lord All thy cares and business, thy desires and necessities. Commend them to God by fervent prayer, referring them to his good-will, and expecting a happy issue of all from him. And he shall bring it to pass Hebrew, he shall do, or work, namely, for thee, or what is fit to be done; or what thou desirest, in the sense explained on Psalms 37:4. He shall bring forth thy righteousness Namely, to the view of the world, from which it hath hitherto... read more
Psalms 37:0 Opposite destiniesThis psalm is an acrostic and a wisdom poem. (Concerning acrostics see notes on Psalms 9:0 and 10. Concerning wisdom literature see introductory notes to Job.) Other wisdom poems are found in Psalms 10:14, 19, 49, 73 and 112.On seeing how wicked people prosper, believers may be tempted to envy them or, worse still, to doubt God’s goodness. The reminder given in this psalm is that no one should judge by outward appearances. The prosperity of worthless people will be... read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 37:1-40
Two pictures. The psalmist says, at Psalms 37:25 , "I have been young, and now am old . " We may regard him therefore as speaking in this psalm with the fulness of knowledge and the confidence of ripened wisdom. His old experience has attained to prophetic strain. Let us consider two pictures. I. THE EVILS OF ENVY . It is common. It takes its rise and works upon the lower part of our nature, blinding our minds, perverting our hearts, and stirring up all our evil passions.... read more