Psalm 37:1-15 NKJV 37 Do not fret because of evildoers,
Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity.
2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass,
And wither as the green herb.
3 Trust in the Lord, and do good;
Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.
4 Delight yourself also in the Lord,
And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
5 Commit your way to the Lord,
Trust also in Him,
And He shall bring it to pass.
6 He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light,
And your justice as the noonday.
7 Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him;
Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way,
Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.
8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath;
Do not fret—it only causes harm.
9 For evildoers shall be cut off;
But those who wait on the Lord,
They shall inherit the earth.
10 For yet a little while and the wicked shall be no more;
Indeed, you will look carefully for his place,
But it shall be no more.
11 But the meek shall inherit the earth,
And shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.
12 The wicked plots against the just,
And gnashes at him with his teeth.
13 The Lord laughs at him,
For He sees that his day is coming.
14 The wicked have drawn the sword
And have bent their bow,
To cast down the poor and needy,
To slay those who are of upright conduct.
15 Their sword shall enter their own heart,
And their bows shall be broken.
In Reading the Psalms with Luther, we have these words: “The 37th psalm is a psalm of comfort that teaches and exhorts us to have patience in the world and warns us especially against envy. For it is vexing and painful to the weak in faith when things go well for the godless and the opposite happens to those who fear God. It is a great spiritual virtue when – seeing the great misdeeds of the peasants, the townspeople, the nobility, the princes, and everyone who has power – one yet exerts himself not to blaspheme or inwardly wish this or that curse on them. Moreover, he still suffers and sees that all things go well for them, and they remain unpunished. Indeed, they are praised and honored, while the God-fearing are miserable, despised, hated, begrudged, obstructed, vexed, and persecuted. The message is this: Learn to have endurance. Take your heart to God and do not let yourself be vexed. Do not become envious, or curse, or with evil to fall, or murmur, or look at them with hatred. Let these people go and commend them to God who will surely find all things out” (p. 92).
What excellent counsel! The problems and troubles and trouble-makers in this life – all the things that are out of our control – are God’s problem, not yours, dear Christian! Fret not, let them go, and commend them to God. Focus rather on whatever vocation God has given to you, whether father, mother, son, daughter, husband, wife, or worker, and do all to His glory and the benefit of your neighbor, for that is how best to serve God in this sinful world.
As David writes, “Do not fret because of evildoers… Trust (by God-given faith) in the Lord… Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him… Do not fret; it only causes harm…” God knows what you need even before you ask, and He has demonstrated His unwavering and unfathomable love toward you in Christ who took your sins upon Himself for your salvation and justification. He will bring you out of this evil world to the life of the world to come. Let us pray: Lord Jesus, strengthen and keep me by Your Gospel and Sacraments until You take me Home. Amen.