Psalm 37:23-40 (KJV): the Lord is their strength in times of trouble

From Psalms

Psalm 37:23-40
(Of David.)



²³The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD:
      and he delighteth in his way.
²⁴Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down:
      for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.

²⁵I have been young, and now am old;
      yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken,
      nor his seed begging bread.
²⁶He is ever merciful, and lendeth;
      and his seed is blessed.

²⁷Depart from evil, and do good;
      and dwell for evermore.
²⁸For the LORD loveth judgment,
      and forsaketh not his saints;

they are preserved for ever:
      but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.
²⁹The righteous shall inherit the land,
      and dwell therein for ever.

³⁰The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom,
      and his tongue talketh of judgment.
³¹The law of his God is in his heart;
      none of his steps shall slide.

³²The wicked watcheth the righteous,
      and seeketh to slay him.
³³The LORD will not leave him in his hand,
      nor condemn him when he is judged.

³⁴Wait on the LORD,
      and keep his way,
and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land:
      when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.

³⁵I have seen the wicked in great power,
      and spreading himself like a green bay tree.
³⁶Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not:
      yea, I sought him, but he could not be found.

³⁷Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright:
      for the end of that man is peace.
³⁸But the transgressors shall be destroyed together:
      the end of the wicked shall be cut off.

³⁹But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD:
      he is their strength in the time of trouble.
⁴⁰And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them:
      he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them,
      because they trust in him.

The last part of psalm 37 seems interesting to me, today.  It's about comparing the wicked and the righteous.  Clearly there is a fine because even the righteous sin.  The psalmist seems to understand this in verse 23 in saying the that the righteous do fall, but not cast down.  However, I think there are some things outlined here which give us an indication of the difference between the righteous and the wicked.

Let's look at verse 31 - the righteous hold the law (or laws) of the Lord in their heart.  To me this means a couple of things.  First, to me it says that even though we may sin or have transgression it's not with mal intent in their heart.  Not the way the wicked are described in verse 32, in the way they seek to slay the righteous, with seemingly hate in their heart.

The law of the lord also prompts the righteous to admit their wrongs, to seek forgiveness, and to make amends.  The law of Lord also tells us that we can only be forgiven when we are willing to forgive.  We know that everyone around us are just as capable of sin as we are - so this is a big part of what being righteous is.

Lastly, the righteous trust in the Lord.  The wicked seek protection and strength elsewhere.  Seek the lord and He will become your strength in times of trouble.

Being righteous doesn't mean being perfect.  We, followers of Jesus, seek progress not perfection.  We seek to forgive.  We seek to bring faith where there is doubt.  We seek to bring hope where there is despair, bring joy where there is sorrow, and love where there is hate.  Join me in this journey won't you?

Thanks for letting me share.