Psalm 37:1-40
A Psalm of David.

Do not fret because of evildoers,
Be not envious toward wrongdoers.

[2] For they will wither quickly like the grass,
And fade like the green herb.

[3] Trust in the Lord, and do good;
Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness.

[4] Delight yourself in the Lord;
And He will give you the desires of your heart.

[5] Commit your way to the Lord,
Trust also in Him, and He will do it.

[6] And He will bring forth your righteousness as the light,
And your judgment 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 carries out wicked schemes.

[8] Cease from anger, and forsake wrath;
Do not fret, it leads only to evildoing.

[9] For evildoers will be cut off,
But those who wait for the Lord, they will inherit the land.

[10] Yet a little while and the wicked man will be no more;
And you will look carefully for his place, and he will not be there.

[11] But the humble will inherit the land,
And will delight themselves in abundant prosperity.

[12] The wicked plots against the righteous,
And gnashes at him with his teeth.

[13] The Lord laughs at him;
For He sees his day is coming.

[14] The wicked have drawn the sword and bent their bow,
To cast down the afflicted and the needy,
To slay those who are upright in conduct.

[15] Their sword will enter their own heart,
And their bows will be broken.

[16] Better is the little of the righteous
Than the abundance of many wicked.

[17] For the arms of the wicked will be broken;
But the Lord sustains the righteous.

[18] The Lord knows the days of the blameless;
And their inheritance will be forever.

[19] They will not be ashamed in the time of evil;
And in the days of famine they will have abundance.

[20] But the wicked will perish;
And the enemies of the Lord will be like the glory of the pastures,
They vanish-- like smoke they vanish away.

[21] The wicked borrows and does not pay back,
But the righteous is gracious and gives.

[22] For those blessed by Him will inherit the land;
But those cursed by Him will be cut off.

[23] The steps of a man are established by the Lord;
And He delights in his way.

[24] When he falls, he shall not be hurled headlong;
Because the Lord is the One who holds his hand.

[25] I have been young, and now I am old;
Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken,
Or his descendants begging bread.

[26] All day long he is gracious and lends;
And his descendants are a blessing.

[27] Depart from evil, and do good,
So you will abide forever.

[28] For the Lord loves justice,
And does not forsake His godly ones;
They are preserved forever;
But the descendants of the wicked will be cut off.

[29] The righteous will inherit the land,
And dwell in it forever.

[30] The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom,
And his tongue speaks justice.

[31] The law of his God is in his heart;
His steps do not slip.

[32] The wicked spies upon the righteous,
And seeks to kill him.

[33] The Lord will not leave him in his hand,
Or let him be condemned when he is judged.

[34] Wait for the Lord, and keep His way,
And He will exalt you to inherit the land;
When the wicked are cut off, you will see it.

[35] I have seen a violent, wicked man
Spreading himself like a luxuriant tree in its native soil.

[36] Then he passed away, and lo, he was no more;
I sought for him, but he could not be found.

[37] Mark the blameless man, and behold the upright;
For the man of peace will have a posterity.

[38] But transgressors will be altogether destroyed;
The posterity of the wicked will be cut off.

[39] But the salvation of the righteous is from the Lord;
He is their strength in time of trouble.

[40] And the Lord helps them, and delivers them;
He delivers them from the wicked, and saves them,
Because they take refuge in Him.


Psalm 37

Open It

* 1. What are some of the dangers in trying to get rich?
2. What do you think are some of the blessings of not being rich?
3. Why do you think more people seek wealth than righteousness?

Explore It

4. What advice does this psalm give concerning evil people? (37:1-2)
5. Why should the righteous not envy the wicked? (37:1-2)
6. What comparison is the dominant theme of this psalm? (37:1-40)
* 7. What did David expect to happen to the wicked? (37:1-40)
8. What did David say people should do instead of worrying about the success of evildoers? (37:3-7)
* 9. What specific list of actions did David advise God’s people to take? (37:3-8, 27, 30-31, 34)
10. What are the consequences of worrying? (37:8)
* 11. What will be the results of trusting in the Lord? (37:3-40)
12. What reasons did David give to motivate his listeners to take his advice? (37:3-40)
13. What can God’s people expect? (37:10, 20, 35-36)
14. What does the psalm say about the meek? (37:11)
15. How are the wicked described? (37:12, 14)
16. Why does the Lord laugh at the wicked? (37:13)
17. How will the schemes of the wicked backfire? (37:15)
18. When is having “a little” better than being wealthy? (37:16-17)
19. How does God show His delight in people? (37:23-24)
20. What did David learn from his long life of experience? (37:25-26)
21. What blessings do the righteous enjoy? (37:27-31, 33-34, 39-40)

Get It

22. What can we learn from David’s observations of the wicked and the righteous?
23. What lessons have you learned from other mature Christians?
* 24. How is David’s comparison of the righteous and wicked in this psalm relevant to us today?
25. What does this passage teach us about envy of others?
26. What does this psalm teach us about worry?
* 27. What are the benefits of trusting in the Lord and seeking righteousness?
28. What is more important than trying to get rich or financially secure?
29. How can we guard against greed?
30. What blessings from the Lord do you enjoy?
31. What advice in this psalm about trusting God would you like to work on following?

Apply It

32. What concern of yours can you entrust to the Lord in prayer?
33. How can you make sure your priority lies in seeking to please God rather than in seeking wealth?
* 34. What is one thing you can do to entrust your life, family, and future to God?

AFFIRMATIONS

TODAY I AM:


Not fretting because of evildoers.

Not envious toward wrongdoers.

Trusting in the Lord and doing good.

Delighting myself in the Lord.

Commiting my way to the Lord.

Resting in the Lord and waiting patiently for Him

Not fretting because of him who prospers in his way and the man who carries out wicked schemes.

Ceasing from anger and forsaking wrath.

Not fretting.

Inheriting the land and delighting in abundant prosperity.

Being gracious and giving.

Inheriting the land and dwelling in it forever.

Uttering wisdom and speaking justice.

Waiting for the Lord and keeping His way.

Being exalted to inherit the land.

Psalm 36:1-12
For the choir director.
A Psalm of David the servant of the Lord.

Transgression speaks to the ungodly within his heart;
There is no fear of God before his eyes.

[2] For it flatters him in his own eyes,
Concerning the discovery of his iniquity and the hatred of it

.
[3] The words of his mouth are wickedness and deceit;
He has ceased to be wise and to do good.

[4] He plans wickedness upon his bed;
He sets himself on a path that is not good;
He does not despise evil.

[5] Thy lovingkindness, O Lord, extends to the heavens,
Thy faithfulness reaches to the skies.

[6] Thy righteousness is like the mountains of God;
Thy judgments are like a great deep.
O Lord, Thou preservest man and beast.

[7] How precious is Thy lovingkindness, O God!
And the children of men take refuge in the shadow of Thy wings.

[8] They drink their fill of the abundance of Thy house;
And Thou dost give them to drink of the river of Thy delights.

[9] For with Thee is the fountain of life;
In Thy light we see light.

[10] O continue Thy lovingkindness to those who know Thee,
And Thy righteousness to the upright in heart.

[11] Let not the foot of pride come upon me,
And let not the hand of the wicked drive me away.

[12] There the doers of iniquity have fallen;
They have been thrust down and cannot rise.



Psalm 36

Open It

* 1. What do you think about when you first wake up in the morning or right before you go to sleep at night?
2. What time of day have you found to be the best time to pray?

Explore It

3. How did David describe the wicked? (36:1-4)
4. What is the main focus of this poem? (36:1-12)
5. In what way do the wicked flatter themselves? (36:2)
* 6. What attitude prevents the wicked from realizing their own sin? (36:2)
7. How does this psalm contrast the character of God with the wicked? (36:5-9)
8. How is God described in this psalm? (36:5-9)
9. How far does the love of God extend? (36:5)
10. What mental images did David use to describe God’s righteousness and justice? (36:6)
11. How did David see himself and the animals in relation to God? (36:6)
12. Who finds refuge in the Lord? (36:7)
13. How did David describe God’s people? (36:7-10)
* 14. How does the Lord provide for His people? (36:8-9)
15. Why did David describe God as a “fountain of life”? (36:9)
16. What did David want the Lord to provide for His people? (36:10)
* 17. What two-fold request did David present to the Lord? (36:10-11)
18. With what expectation of the future did David conclude the psalm? (36:12)
19. What does David’s conclusion reveal of his confidence in the Lord? (36:12)

Get It

20. Why do you think God is sometimes described as light?
21. What does David teach us in this psalm about God and His character?
22. What can we learn from this passage about how God provides for His people?
23. How have you experienced God’s provision or guidance?
24. What kind of relationship did David have with God?
* 25. How can we imitate David’s confidence when we present our requests to God in prayer?
* 26. Through the description of the wicked, what attitudes and behaviors does this psalm warn us to guard against?
27. How can Christians guard against a proud spirit?
28. Through the description of the righteous, what attitudes and behaviors does this psalm tell us to cultivate?
29. How can we cultivate humility?

Apply It

30. What steps could you take this week to guard against pride and cultivate humility?
* 31. What specific prayer request do you need to present to God with greater confidence?

AFFIRMATIONS

TODAY I AM:

Being preserved by the Lord.

Taking refuge in the shadow of His wings.

Drinking my fill of the abundance of His house.

Drinking of the river of His delights.

Seeing light in His light.

Psalm 35:1-28
A Psalm of David.

Contend, O Lord, with those who contend with me;
Fight against those who fight against me.
[2] Take hold of buckler and shield,
And rise up for my help.
[3] Draw also the spear and the battle-axe to meet those who pursue me;
Say to my soul, "I am your salvation."
[4] Let those be ashamed and dishonored who seek my life;
Let those be turned back and humiliated who devise evil against me.
[5] Let them be like chaff before the wind,
With the angel of the Lord driving them on.
[6] Let their way be dark and slippery,
With the angel of the Lord pursuing them.
[7] For without cause they hid their net for me;
Without cause they dug a pit for my soul.
[8] Let destruction come upon him unawares;
And let the net which he hid catch himself;
Into that very destruction let him fall.
[9] And my soul shall rejoice in the Lord;
It shall exult in His salvation.
[10] All my bones will say, "Lord, who is like Thee,
Who delivers the afflicted from him who is too strong for him,
And the afflicted and the needy from him who robs him?"
[11] Malicious witnesses rise up;
They ask me of things that I do not know.
[12] They repay me evil for good,
To the bereavement of my soul.
[13] But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth;
I humbled my soul with fasting;
And my prayer kept returning to my bosom.
[14] I went about as though it were my friend or brother;
I bowed down mourning, as one who sorrows for a mother.
[15] But at my stumbling they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together;
The smiters whom I did not know gathered together against me,
They slandered me without ceasing.
[16] Like godless jesters at a feast,
They gnashed at me with their teeth.
[17] Lord, how long wilt Thou look on?
Rescue my soul from their ravages,
My only life from the lions.
[18] I will give Thee thanks in the great congregation;
I will praise Thee among a mighty throng.
[19] Do not let those who are wrongfully my enemies rejoice over me;
Neither let those who hate me without cause wink maliciously.
[20] For they do not speak peace,
But they devise deceitful words against those who are quiet in the land.
[21] And they opened their mouth wide against me;
They said, "Aha, aha, our eyes have seen it!"
seen it, O Lord, do not keep silent;
O Lord, do not be far from me.
[23] Stir up Thyself, and awake to my right,
And to my cause, my God and my Lord.
[24] Judge me, O Lord my God, according to Thy righteousness;
And do not let them rejoice over me.
[25] Do not let them say in their heart, "Aha, our desire!"
Do not let them say, "We have swallowed him up!"
[26] Let those be ashamed and humiliated altogether who rejoice at my distress;
Let those be clothed with shame and dishonor who magnify themselves over me.
[27] Let them shout for joy and rejoice, who favor my vindication;
And let them say continually, "The Lord be magnified,
Who delights in the prosperity of His servant."
[28] And my tongue shall declare Thy righteousness
And Thy praise all day long.


Psalm 35

Open It

1. How do you think you would feel if one of your close friends suddenly turned against you?
* 2. What can break up friendships?
3. When was the first time you felt betrayed by a friend?

Explore It

4. To what character trait of God’s did David appeal? (35:1-3, 10, 23-24)
* 5. How did David want the Lord to treat his adversaries? (35:1-8, 25-26)
6. What military images did David use to describe God’s deliverance? (35:2-3)
7. Against what did David need to be defended? (35:4-10)
8. What provoked the attack of David’s enemies? (35:7-8)
* 9. How did David demonstrate his confidence in the Lord’s deliverance? (35:9-10)
10. How does God treat the poor and needy? (35:10)
11. How did David reinforce his claim that he is innocent? (35:11, 13-14, 19-20)
12. How did David describe his predicament? (35:11-16)
* 13. What accusations did David make against his enemies? (35:11-16, 19-21)
14. How did David demonstrate his compassion and willingness to befriend the people who later turned on him? (35:12-16)
15. How did David’s adversaries respond to his kindness? (35:15-16)
16. How did David promise to respond to God’s deliverance? (35:18)
17. How was David being treated by his enemies? (35:19-21)
18. What final sign of victory did David want the Lord to take away from his enemies? (35:23-25)
19. How did David want his friends to respond to God’s deliverance? (35:27)
20. What final words of confidence conclude this psalm? (35:28)

Get It

21. How does it feel to be falsely accused or treated maliciously by others?
22. What should we do when we see others being slandered or mistreated?
23. What’s our most natural reaction when people try to hurt us?
* 24. What can we learn from David’s example about handling injustice?
25. What difficult person do you need to handle better?
* 26. In light of this passage, how can you trust God more with the injustices in your life?
27. How can we demonstrate our confidence in the Lord when we are being slandered or hurt by others?
28. What can we do to rejoice with Christian friends when they experience God’s protection or guidance?

Apply It

29. What act of encouragement or help can you offer to a friend who has been falsely accused or “attacked”?
* 30. Concerning what accuser, “enemy,” or other difficult person do you need to pray this week?

AFFIRMATIONS

TODAY I AM:

Exulting in His salvation.

Giving thanks in the great congregation.

Praising God among a mighty throng.

Saying continually, “The Lord be magnified.”

Declaring His righeousness and praise all day long.