Outlines in Psalms
The purpose of Psalm 37 is to exhort and encourage God’s faithful servants concerning the prosperity of the wicked, which certainly appears at first to be an unfair and unrighteous reality of this life. Indeed, it can be a great frustration unto the hearts of the faithful to see “the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree” (Psalm 37:35). In fact, if we dwell on this frustration, it can easily and quickly turn us back from our walk with the Lord and lead us down into the pit of sinful iniquity (See Psalm 73:2-3). So then, how does Psalm 37 exhort us and encourage us concerning this matter? It begins with a prohibition concerning our attitude at the prosperity of the wicked and with a proclamation concerning the judgment of the Lord against the wicked.
The Prohibition
I. Be Not Envious.
Psalm 37:1 – “Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.”
(See also Proverbs 24:19-20)
II. Be Not Enraged.
Psalm 37:7-8a – “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. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath.”
III. Be Not Enticed.
Psalm 37:8b – “Fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.”
The purpose of Psalm 37 is to exhort and encourage God’s faithful servants concerning the prosperity of the wicked, which certainly appears at first to be an unfair and unrighteous reality of this life. Indeed, it can be a great frustration unto the hearts of the faithful to see “the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree” (Psalm 37:35). In fact, if we dwell on this frustration, it can easily and quickly turn us back from our walk with the Lord and lead us down into the pit of sinful iniquity (See Psalm 73:2-3). So then, how does Psalm 37 exhort us and encourage us concerning this matter? It begins with a prohibition concerning our attitude at the prosperity of the wicked and with a proclamation concerning the judgment of the Lord against the wicked.
The Prohibition
I. Be Not Envious.
Psalm 37:1 – “Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.”
(See also Proverbs 24:19-20)
II. Be Not Enraged.
Psalm 37:7-8a – “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. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath.”
III. Be Not Enticed.
Psalm 37:8b – “Fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.”
The Proclamation
I. The Wicked Are Contemned of the Lord.
Psalm 37:13 – “The Lord shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming.”
II. The Wicked Shall Come to Judgment.
Psalm 37:15 – “Their sword shall enter into their own heart, and their bows shall be broken.”
Psalm 37:17a – “For the arms of the wicked shall be broken.”
III. The Wicked Shall Be Cut Off.
Psalm 37:2 – “For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.”
Psalm 37:9a – “For evildoers shall be cut off.”
Psalm 37:28c – “But the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.
Psalm 37:38 – “But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off.”
IV. The Wicked Shall Consume Away.
Psalm 37:20 – “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.”
V. The Wicked Shall Cease to Exist.
Psalm 37:10 – “For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place,
and it shall not be.”
Psalm 37:35-36 – “I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree. Yet
he passed away, and, lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found.”
I. The Wicked Are Contemned of the Lord.
Psalm 37:13 – “The Lord shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming.”
II. The Wicked Shall Come to Judgment.
Psalm 37:15 – “Their sword shall enter into their own heart, and their bows shall be broken.”
Psalm 37:17a – “For the arms of the wicked shall be broken.”
III. The Wicked Shall Be Cut Off.
Psalm 37:2 – “For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.”
Psalm 37:9a – “For evildoers shall be cut off.”
Psalm 37:28c – “But the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.
Psalm 37:38 – “But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off.”
IV. The Wicked Shall Consume Away.
Psalm 37:20 – “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.”
V. The Wicked Shall Cease to Exist.
Psalm 37:10 – “For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place,
and it shall not be.”
Psalm 37:35-36 – “I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree. Yet
he passed away, and, lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found.”