Psalms 37:38

Shall be destroyed together— Or, at once: "They shall all at once be totally destroyed." See Psalms 49:10 in the Hebrew.

REFLECTIONS.—1st, The way of duty is made very plain, and therefore we are more inexcusable, if we depart from it.

1. The Psalmist cautions us against envy and fretful-ness because of the prosperity of the wicked. It had been a trial which himself had been beset with, and therefore he speaks from experience, which is the most effectual way of preaching.
2. He gives a strong argument to silence our impatience. The prosperity of the sinner is short and precarious, as the withering grass. Mark his end, and thou shalt not envy his way.
3. He prescribes the good that we should follow, as well as the evil that we should avoid; and, enjoying the better portion in God's favour, we should have no reason to envy any worldling his possessions.
2nd, Abundant reasons are here urged, why we should patiently wait upon the Lord, and without anger, envy, or discontent, behold the prosperous sinner, and bear up under every cross that we may be called to suffer from him.

1. A variety of arguments for our quiet submission are here produced from the misery of sinners. [1.] Their destruction is near, even at the door. Their career is short; the longest life is but a step, and they are often surprised in the midst, and their soul required of them. Each moment is uncertain, each breath precarious, and then all their hopes perish, vanishing as the smoke from the altar. [2.] Their own devices shall fall upon them. Though crafty, cruel, and, in their own apprehension, confident of success, God mocks at their impotent designs, and turns the destruction which they had prepared for the defenceless poor upon their own heads. Their day is coming, a terrible day, when the wicked must tremble, and the righteous rejoice. [3.] When God arises to judgment, they shall perish for ever; his wrath, as the fire of the altar, shall burn, and none shall quench it: the wicked, as fuel for the flames, shall be consumed, or rather consuming yet unconsumed, in these everlasting burnings.
2. The unspeakably happier lot of the righteous, with all their troubles, should repress every murmur of discontent because of the apparent prosperity of the ungodly. [1.] They shall inherit the earth. The patient waiting of the faithful shall not be disappointed; the present world shall afford them a sufficiency; and in the new earth, where dwelleth righteousness, they shall have a sure possession. [2.] They shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. Whatever portion, be it less or more, they have below, one thing they enjoy better than the wealth of both the Indies, peace with God, and, as the effect of that, peace of conscience; a delightful peace, which makes even sufferings light, and adds a double relish to every enjoyment: a peace, to which the wicked are strangers; a peace which the world cannot give; and, blessed be God, cannot take away; and abundance of peace, not only while the sun and moon endure, or till life shall terminate, but permanent as the ages of eternity. [3.] A little that a righteous man hath, is better than the riches of many wicked. Of this world God's enemies have far the greater share; but without his blessings the sweetest draughts are bitter, and the worm of discontent at the root of their gourd makes it wither, when to appearance most flourishing. But the righteous man's little comes from the gift of God, is enjoyed in his love, and improved to his glory. He has the great seasoning of contentment in whatsoever state he is, and, sensible how unworthy he is of the least, every thing that he uses fills him with thankfulness. A dry crust, with a sweet savour of Christ, furnishes a more delicious meal, than the tables of luxury ever afforded. [4.] The Lord upholdeth the righteous, so that in all trials and difficulties he is supported within; and, as the everlasting arms are underneath him, he is safe from fear of evil. [5.] The Lord knoweth the days of the upright. He takes notice of his daily service, faithful to reward him; of his trials, to support him; of his sorrows, to comfort him; and gives him a sense of his love all the day long. [6.] Their inheritance shall be for ever. The portion of the faithful, blessed as it is, shall not be circumscribed by the narrow bounds of time; but in heaven there is reserved for them an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, which fadeth not away. [7.] They shall be never ashamed of their confidence. In general calamities they shall never be destitute; in the evil day of death their faith and joy shall not fail them; and in the day of judgment they shall have boldness to appear before the awful bar. Such present possessions, such eternal expectations, may well keep down every rising discontent. Why should we envy the ungodly their short-lived, embittered, unsatisfying, perishing enjoyments, when we have such a sufficient, satisfying, abiding portion here, and such a near prospect of a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory hereafter?