Psalm 37, an alphabetic acrostic (with irregularity) is an instruction in godly living. The dominant theme is who will rise from the dead to inherit the land, the wicked or the righteous. The answer is found in the contrasting beginning and ending, 1-2 and 39-40. Verses 1-2 speak of the brevity of the evil whereas verses 39-40 tell of the Lord’s help of the righteous.
The first piece of advice is, “Do not fret because of evildoers.” (NIV, KJ, ASV, YLT). Other English translation states, “Do not be agitated by evildoers” (CSB, HCSB) and “Do not be preoccupied with evildoers.” (GW). Of course, my first question is, “How to do this?” followed by, “Is it possible?” The answer is found in verse 7, “Surrender yourself to the LORD (Be still before the Lord) and wait patiently for him.” If I find myself agitated and preoccupied with evildoers I can go to Jesus for he tells me, “Come to me and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:29)
The second piece of advice is, “Do not… be envious of those who do wrong (wicked things).” This implies that there are reasons why I can be envious of them. Usually, this is because they have wealth, power, prestige, social status, and so much appears to go their way.
Verse 1 provides the reason why I should not fret nor be envious of those who do wrong. They soon will go away and I will live forever. They will die and be forgotten just as when plants die away. As Jesus said, “Those who are last will be first, and those who are first will be last.”
