Psalms 37 - Introduction

A.M. 2962. B.C. 1042.

The design of this Psalm, which was written by David in his old age, is to vindicate the providence of God, and satisfy the minds of men with respect to the seeming inequality of his dispensations, in afflicting good men, and giving prosperity to the bad; and to instruct God's people how to conduct themselves in their present condition, and to show them what supports and comforts they may have in it. He recommends faith and patience upon the double consideration of that sure reward which awaiteth the righteous, and that certain punishment which shall be inflicted on the wicked; which two events are set before us in a variety of expressions, and under many lively and affecting images. The Psalm being rather, as Dr. Horne observes, “a collection of divine aphorisms on the same subject, than a continued and connected discourse,” does not admit of a general analysis of its contents. The reader may observe, however, two leading articles,

(1,) David exhorts to patience and confidence in God, Psalms 37:1.

(2,) He shows the different state of the righteous and the wicked, Psalms 37:9. It must be observed, the Psalm is alphabetical, but not in every verse, as in the two former Psalms we have noticed, namely, the 25th and 34th, but only in every other verse; the plan in this Psalm being to give two verses, (which might have been one long verse, as Lamentations 1:2.,) or four hemistics, to each of the Hebrew letters.