Psalm 37

January 14, 2007 Psalm 37 Class

Psalm 37 is an acrostic. The letters starting each section are taken in sequence from the Hebrew alphabet (22 letters). "The Full Life Study Bible NIV" D. Stamps ed. Zondervan Publishing House (1992) pages 797,798

A. Skim through this Psalm. What two groups of people are being discussed?

B. verse 1Why might we envy the wicked? Find some answers to this question in Psalm 37.

C. Why should we not envy the wicked? Find some answers to this question in Psalm 37.

D. How should we live?

verse 1 don’t fret or envy Proverbs 3: 31-33 Do not envy a violent man or choose any of his ways, 32 for the LORD detests a perverse man Proverbs 23: 17-18 Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the LORD. 1 Corinthians 13: 4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.

verse 3 Trust in the Lord, do good Psalm 20: 7 Some trust in chariots…we trust in the name of the LORD our God. Isaiah 26: 3-4 4 Trust in the LORD forever, … the LORD, is the Rock eternal. John 14: 1-2 "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. Romans 15:13…God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him Luke 6: 35-36 love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them … Hebrews 13: 16 do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. James 4: 15-17 17Anyone…who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins. Matthew 25: 31-40 whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

v4 delight in God, v5 commit your way, trust in him, v7 be still, wait patiently, do not worry when wicked men succeed

v8 refrain from anger, do not fret James 1: 19-20 for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.

v9 hope in the Lord, v11 meek, v16 content with little

v21 give generously Proverbs 22: 9 A generous man will himself be blessed, ... 1 Timothy 6: 17-19 do good…be rich in good deeds…be generous and willing to share.

v23 live such that the Lord delights in your way, v26 generous, lend freely, v27 turn from evil, do good

v30 speak wisdom Proverbs 25: 11-12 A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.

Matthew 12: 34-37 out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. Colossians 4: 5-6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, James 1: 26If anyone … does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.

v31 the law of God is in your heart Psalm 119: 9-11 I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.

v34 wait for the Lord, keep his way, v39 let the Lord be your stronghold, v40 take refuge in the Lord

E. What are the benefits of living a godly life?

v3 dwell in the land, enjoy safe pasture Proverbs 3: 21-26 you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble; Job 11: 13-20 You will be secure, because there is hope; you will look about you and take your rest in safety.

Psalm 112:1- 7 7 He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD.

Hebrews 13: 5-6 we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?"

v4 God will give you the desires of your heart

John 15: 7If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.

v6 God will bring your justice to light, v8 you will avoid evil when you refrain from anger and fretting

v9 inherit the land

Acts 20: 32 the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.

Acts 26: 15-18 that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.'

Colossians 1: 9-13 thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom

v11 inherit, enjoy peace, v17 God upholds, v18 inheritance endures, v19 won’t wither, enjoy plenty, v22 inherit

v23 God makes your steps firm, v24 God upholds you so you don’t fall when you stumbles,

verse 25 1 Samuel 21:1-3 David asked for bread when he was on the run from Saul.

1 Corinthians 4: 9-13 this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, we are in rags, we are brutally treated, we are homeless.

James 1: 27 look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

v26 your children are blessed, v27 dwell in the land forever, v28 protected, v29 inherit the land

v31 feet do not slip, v33 not condemned unjustly, v34 inherit the land

v37 you have a future 2 Timothy 4: 6-8 in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, …, will award to me

v39 the Lord is your stronghold in times of trouble

v40 the Lord delivers you, delivers you from the wicked, saves you Hebrews 11: 35-39 planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect. 2 Timothy 4: 16-18 The Lord will rescue me… will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. Revelation 21: 1-4 There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain…

Compare Psalm 37 to Psalm 73. Read Psalm 8 and Psalm 19 for next Sunday. Also, memorize Psalm 37:39,40

January 14, 2007 Psalm 37 Leader

Superscription "Of David" A Psalm written by David

A. Skim through this Psalm. What two groups of people are being discussed?

1. evil, do wrong, have wicked schemes, wicked, those God curses, ruthless, sinners

2. those who trust in God, and do good, who hope in the Lord, righteous, blameless, those God blesses, upright

B. verse 1Why might we envy the wicked? Find some answers to this question in Psalm 37.

v16 we see their riches v35 they flourish like a green tree

C. Why should we not envy the wicked? Find some answers to this question in Psalm 37.

v2 they will soon die away, v9 they will be cut off (from the promised land), they don’t last a long time, v13 God knows their day of reckoning is coming, v15 they will die by the sword, bows broken, v20 they will vanish like smoke, v28 their children will be cut off, v34 the wicked will be cut off, v36 they soon pass away, v38 destroyed, cut off

Other reasons: They are opposed to God. "You can’t take it with you."

D. How should we live?

verse 1 don’t fret or envy

Proverbs 3: 31-33 Do not envy a violent man or choose any of his ways, 32 for the LORD detests a perverse man but takes the upright into his confidence. 33 The LORD's curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses … the righteous.

Proverbs 23: 17-18 Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the LORD. 18 There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off. 1 Corinthians 13: 4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy…

verse 3 Trust in the Lord, do good

Psalm 20: 7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.

Isaiah 26: 3-4 You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. 4 Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal.

John 14: 1-2 "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. 2In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you."

Romans 15: 13May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope

Luke 6: 35-36 But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. …

Hebrews 13: 16And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

James 4: 15-17 Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that." 16As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil. 17Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins.

Matthew 25: 31-40 "When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. 32All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. … 34… the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' …The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

v4 delight in the Lord v5 commit your way to the Lord, trust in him

v7 be still before the Lord, wait patiently for him, do not worry when men succeed in wicked schemes

Galatians 5: 22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

v8 refrain from anger, do not fret

James 1: 19-21 My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. 21Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.

v9 hope in the Lord v11 meek v16 content with little

v21 give generously

Proverbs 22: 9 A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor.

1 Timothy 6: 17-19 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

v23 live such that the Lord delights in your way v26 generous, lend freely v27 turn from evil, do good

v30 speak wisdom

Proverbs 25: 11-12 A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver. 12 Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is a wise man's rebuke to a listening ear.

Matthew 12: 34-37 … how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. 35The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. 36… men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken.

Colossians 4: 5Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

James 1: 26If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.

v31 the law of God is in your heart

Psalm 119: 9-11 How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. 10 I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. 11 I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.

v34 wait for the Lord, keep his way v39 let the Lord be your stronghold v40 take refuge in the Lord

E. What are the benefits of living a godly life?

v3 dwell in the land, enjoy safe pasture

Proverbs 3: 21-26 My son, preserve sound judgment and discernment, … 22 they will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck. 23 Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble; 24 when you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. 25 Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, 26 for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared.

Job 11: 13-20 "Yet if you devote your heart to him and stretch out your hands to him, 14 if you put away the sin that is in your hand and allow no evil to dwell in your tent, 15 then you will lift up your face without shame… 16 You will surely forget your trouble, recalling it only as waters gone by. 17 Life will be brighter than noonday… 18 You will be secure, because there is hope; you will look about you and take your rest in safety. 19 You will lie down, with no one to make you afraid, and many will court your favor. 20 But the eyes of the wicked will fail, … their hope will become a dying gasp."

Psalm 112:1- 7 1 …Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who finds great delight in his commands 2 His children will be mighty in the land; the generation … will be blessed 3Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever. 4 Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man. 5 Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely, who conducts his affairs with justice. 6 Surely he will never be shaken; a righteous man will be remembered forever 7He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD.

Hebrews 13: 5-6 … be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." 6So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?"

v4 God will give you the desires of your heart

John 15: 7If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.

v6 God will bring your justice to light v8 you will avoid evil when you refrain from anger and fretting

v9 inherit the land

Acts 20: 32"Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified."

Acts 26: 15-18 "Then I asked, 'Who are you, Lord?' " 'I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,' …I am sending you to them 18to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.'

Colossians 1: 9-13 For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. 10And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully 12giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. 13For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

v11 inherit the land, enjoy great peace v17 the Lord upholds the righteous

v18 their inheritance endures v19 won’t wither in disasters, enjoy plenty in times of famine

v22 inherit the land v23 God makes your steps firm

v24 God upholds you so you don’t fall when you stumbles

verse 25 1 Samuel 21:1-3 David asked for bread when he was on the run from Saul.

1 Corinthians 4: 9-13 For it seems to me that God has put us apostles on display … 11To this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, we are in rags, we are brutally treated, we are homeless. 12We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; 13when we are slandered, we answer kindly. Up to this moment we have become the scum of the earth, the refuse of the world.

James 1: 27Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

v26 your children are blessed v27 dwell in the land forever

v28 protected v29 inherit the land

v31 feet do not slip v33 not condemned unjustly

v34 inherit the land

v37 you have a future

2 Timothy 4: 6-8 For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. 7I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

v39 the Lord is your stronghold in times of trouble

v40 the Lord delivers you, delivers you from the wicked, saves you

Hebrews 11: 35-39 Women received back their dead, raised to life again. Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection. 36Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. 37They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated— 38the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground. 39These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. 40God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.

2 Timothy 4: 16-18 At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them. 17But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion's mouth. 18The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Revelation 21: 1-4 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth…I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."

Compare Psalm 37 to Psalm 73.

Read Psalm 8 and Psalm 19 for next Sunday. Also, memorize Psalm 37:39,40