The Providence of God

Click here to read Psalms 37.

Psalm 37 Author David. Rest in the Lord. Written as a sermon, not for devotion but for edification. It is a "Maschil", a liturgy, a teaching song about providence. It gives us some additional insight into the thinking of Job for it acknowledges the success of the wicked and the disgrace of the righteous. David forbids us from taking offence at this situation, for despite their prosperity, the wicked will be judged and despite their disgrace, the righteous will inherit salvation.

Here David had to justify why, in some cases, evil prospered and righteousness suffered. The fact seemed contrary to the teachings of the Prophets. Here David explains that this may be true for individuals but not for nations. Individual fortunes do not always reflect a person's righteousness but the endurance and continuation of a nation does depend on its obedience to the laws of God, history had proven this.

Here David forbids us from questioning God's prerogative in this. We must allow the chain of events to be God's will and believe that eventually all will be compensated according to His plan and purpose for our lives. David even prescribes some very good remedies for envying the prosperity of the wicked. The lesson of this Psalm is to consecrate upon our own relationship with God and to leave the providence of others to God.

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