Wesley's Notes on the Bible <<A Psalm of David.>> Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. 37:1 Fret not - Because they prosper in their wicked enterprizes.
For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.
Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.
Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. 37:5 Commit - All thy cares and business, and necessities, commend to God by fervent prayer.
And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday. 37:6 Judgment - It shall be as visible to men, as the light of the sun, at noon - day.
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. 37:7 Rest - Do not repine at his dealings, but quietly submit to his will, and wait for his help.
Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil. 37:8 Fret not - Either against the sinner for his success; or against God. Do evil - If grief arise in thee, take care that it do not transport thee to sin.
For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth. 37:9 The earth - This for the most part was literally fulfilled in that state of the church.
For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be. 37:10 Not be - He shall be dead and gone. Diligently - Industriously seeking him. His place - His place and estate, and glory.
But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. 37:11 But - Those who patiently bear God's afflicting hand, and meekly pass by injuries. Peace - Partly of outward peace and prosperity, which God in his due time will give them: but principally of inward peace, in the sense of God's favour and the assurance of endless happiness.
The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth.
The Lord shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming. 37:13 His day - The day appointed by God for his punishment or destruction.
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.
A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked.
For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the LORD upholdeth the righteous.
The LORD knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be for ever. 37:18 Knoweth - Observes with care and affection. The days - All things which befal them, their dangers and fears, and suffering. For ever - To them and their seed for ever: and when they die their inheritance is not lost, but exchanged for one infinitely better.
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. 37:20 Fat - Which in an instant melts before the fire.
The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth.
For such as be blessed of him shall inherit the earth; and they that be cursed of him shall be cut off.
The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. 37:23 Established - So that he shall not fall into mischief.
Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand. 37:24 Fall - Into trouble.
I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. 37:25 Forsaken - These temporal promises, were more express to the Jews in the times of the Old Testament, than to Christians.
He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed. 37:26 Blessed - Not only with spiritual, but with temporal blessings.
Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore. 37:27 Dwell - Thou shalt dwell in the land, and afterwards in heaven.
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.
The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever.
The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment. 37:30 The mouth - Having shewed, God's singular care over the righteous, he proceeds to give a character of them. Judgment - Of God's judgment, word or law.
The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide. 37:31 Heart - His thoughts, meditations and affections are fixed upon it. Slide - Slide, or swerve, from the rule, from God's law.
The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh 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, thou shalt see it.
I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree. 37:35 Bay - tree - Which is continually green and flourishing even in winter.
Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found. 37:36 Yet - He was gone in an instant. But - There was no monument or remainder of him left.
Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace. 37:37 Peace - Though he may meet with troubles in his way, yet all shall end well.
But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off. 37:38 Together - All without exception.
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. Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible by John Wesley [1754-65] Bible Hub |
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