Verses 23 and 24 "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand." There is no more comforting truth than the doctrine that the Lord leads His people "in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake." When a man, or a woman, or a young person is brought to a saving knowledge of Christ's redeeming love on the Cross they need have no hesitation in looking over their past life and believing with all their heart that the "steps" that have led them thus far have all been "ordered by the Lord." It was what the old preachers called "Prevenient Grace;" that is, "going-before" grace. The grace that "went before" the day of our salvation and led us under the sound of the truth that saved our souls. But having led us into the way of righteousness by His Prevenient Grace, and having saved our souls through His Redeeming Grace, the Lord "orders our steps" and keeps us from falling through His Restraining Grace - the grace that keeps our feet from slipping. "Aha," say some, "but the Lord's people do sometimes slip in this life and where is your Restraining Grace then?" The answer is plain. It has been removed so that the Lord might manifest His mercy to the sons of the Covenant in granting them His matchless Restoring Grace: "Though he fall," says David, "he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand."
Verse 25 "I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread." This does not apply to an occasional seeking relief in time of want (for David himself desired bread from Abimelech, and he and his soldiers food from Nabal,) but it speaks of continual begging from door to door. Nor does it mean that the righteous and his seed may not be brought to a sad degree of misery. But so rarely does such a thing happen that David has never seen it in his life on earth.
Arthur Jackson
Verse 27 "Depart from evil …" As Lot left Sodom without casting a look behind, so must we leave sin. No truce or parley is to be held with sin. We must turn away from it without hesitation and set ourselves practically to work in the opposite direction. It is our solemn conviction that where there can be no real spiritual communion there should be no pretences of fellowship. Fellowship with known and vital error is participation in sin. Those who know and love the truth of God cannot have fellowship with what is diametrically opposed thereto, and there is no reason why they should pretend that they have such fellowship.
C.H. Spurgeon
Verse 34 "Wait on the Lord, and keep his way …" "Wait … Keep." While we are waiting let us take heed of wavering. Go not one step out of God's way, even though a lion be in that way. Keep to God's highway, the good old way, the way which is paved with holiness. Avoid crooked paths … a man may as well expect to find heaven in hell, as in a sinful way.
Thomas Watson
Verse 35 "I have seen the wicked … spreading himself like a green bay tree." A tree in its native soil, vigorous, and luxuriant, that had never been transplanted. A striking figure of the ungodly man in the world, firmly rooted in earthly things – his native soil. Grown proud and wanton in his prosperity.
William Wilson
Verse 37 "Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace." Mark him in the setting out; he hath many oppositions. Mark him in the journey; he is full of tribulations. But mark the conclusion, and the end of that man is peace.
Thomas Adams
Verse 37 "… the end of that man is peace." Balaam's wish – Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my latter end be as his – is vain and fruitless. If you would die well you must have a mind to live well.
John Kitchin
Verse 39 "But the salvation of the righteous is of the Lord …" An echo of Jonah's famous cry from the belly of the whale – "Salvation is of the Lord." "And when Jonah cried 'Salvation is of the Lord' the old whale vomited him up on the shore; Couldn't stomach a Calvinist!"
Henry Mahan
This Page Title – Gleanings in the Psalms – Psalm 37 Concluded The Wicket Gate Magazine "A Continuing Witness". Internet Edition number 77 – placed on line March 2009 Magazine web address – www.wicketgate.co.uk |