01/13/2009 Psalms 37:7

01/13/2009

Psalms 37:7 - 9 (HCSB) ⁷Be silent before the LORD and wait expectantly for Him;
    do not be agitated by one who prospers in his way,
    by the man who carries out evil plans.
⁸Refrain from anger and give up [your] rage;
    do not be agitated—it can only bring harm.
⁹For evildoers will be destroyed,
    but those who put their hope in the LORD
    will inherit the land.
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Yesterday, we talked about those who refuse God. Today, in chapter 37 of Psalms, the thought is continued, but the psalmist juxtaposes the wicked against the righteous. In this psalm, we are encouraged to refrain from gossip or abusive talk. We should protect ourselves from anger and rage.

We have all seen a situation where the person who is dishonest seems to prosper unhindered. We all wonder why organized crime seems so lucrative. We sometimes struggle to live our lives silently and conduct our business honestly while we see others who “go around the system” and get away with it. It no doubt has been a source of frustration for you at one time or another.

The psalmist is wise in that he tells us that anger and rage that we allow to boil up can only bring harm – to us!. Medical studies have shown that people who harbor anger have more health problems and have a weaker immune system. Interesting how the psalmist could have deduced such a thing so many years ago.

Yet, here we are reminded that we must live our lives civilly and quietly. This does not mean that we do not endeavor to prosecute thieves and muggers. We should maintain, to the best of our ability, a society that is orderly and just – protecting those who cannot protect themselves. But on a personal level, we are told to “be silent before the Lord and expectantly wait for Him.”

The answer to why we should do this is just a few verses down:

Psalms 37:13 (HCSB) ¹³The Lord laughs at [the wicked man]
because He sees that his day is coming.

Of course, we know that God finds no happiness in the downfall of anyone, but what we are reminded of here is that the pleasure in revenge belongs to the Lord – not us. And likewise, the pleasure of rewarding the faithful also belongs to the Lord.

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