Salmos 37
Bob Utley · You Can Understand the Bible
Salmos 37
(An Acrostic) CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS This Psalm swings back and forth between admonishing and describing the faithful followers describing the faithless The theological issue is the prosperity of the wicked (cf. Psalm 73; Habakkuk). YHWH is characterized in several different ways. He sustains the faithful and destroys the faithless. This is an acrostic psalm. Each letter has two verses. This Psalm's theology about inheriting the land (i.e., Canaan) and prosperity is based on Gen. 12:1-3 (YHWH's initial call and promises to Abraham; see SPECIAL TOPIC: COVENANT PROMISES TO THE PATRIARCHS), which develops under Moses into the Mosaic covenant. It had blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience (i.e., "the Two Ways"; cf. Leviticus 26; Deuteronomy 27-30 for a good summary). YHWH wanted to reveal Himself to the world through His special covenant people, Israel. Israel was to reveal His grace, mercy, and love through its prosperity and godly culture. As is obvious from the historical books (i.e., Joshua – 2 Kings), the disobedience of Israel thwarted this purpose. Israel was judged and the covenant broken (i.e., Assyrian and Babylonian exiles). Therefore, YHWH was forced to start a "new covenant" (see SPECIAL TOPIC: COVENANT, cf. Jer. 31:31-34; Ezek. 36:22-36) based on His grace and actions, not fallen human obedience (i.e., the gospel of Jesus Christ recorded in the NT; see SPECIAL TOPIC: YHWH'S ETERNAL REDEMPTIVE PLAN). With this new covenant the promises to national Israel were annulled! Below I have placed a Special Topic that tries to document this change. SPECIAL TOPIC: WHY ARE THE END-TIME EVENTS SO CONTROVERSIAL?
Salmos 37:1-6
37:1-6 This strophe has seven IMPERATIVES and three JUSSIVES. These are not prayers but admonitions to the faithful (i.e., what to do and what not to do). fret not yourself – BDB 354, KB 351, Hithpael JUSSIVE, same form in Ps. 37:7,8; note Prov. 24:19; the word means "burn," or "be kindled" and is used figuratively of anger; here it is paired with "envy" (BDB 888) do not be envious – BDB 888, KB 1109, Piel IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense, cf. Ps. 73:3; Prov. 3:31; 23:17; 24:1,19 The lives of the wicked look successful and happy but they are short lived (cf. Psalm 73); they will not ultimately inherit the promised land. they will wither quickly like the grass – BDB 576, KB 593, Qal IMPERFECT, cf. Job 14:2; Ps. 90:5-6; 103:15-16; Isa. 40:6-8 they will fade like the green herb – BDB 615, KB 663, Qal IMPERFECT In light of the transitoriness of the faithless ones, faithful followers should (Ps. 37:3-5 has 7 IMPERATIVES) trust in YHWH – BDB 105, KB 120, Qal IMPERATIVE, cf. Ps. 37:3,5; Ps. 52:8; 62:8; Prov. 3:5-6 do good – BDB 793, KB 889, Qal IMPERATIVE dwell in the land – BDB 1014, KB 1496, Qal IMPERATIVE cultivate faithfulness – BDB 944, KB 1258, Qal IMPERATIVE delight yourself in YHWH – BDB 772, KB 851, Hithpael IMPERATIVE (i.e., not in physical prosperity) commit your way to YHWH – BDB 164, KB 193, Qal IMPERATIVE trust in Him – BDB same as #1 (key point) YHWH will give (BDB 678, KB 733, Qal IMPERFECT) the faithful follower "the desires of your heart," Ps. 37:4 "He will do it" (BDB 793, KB 889, Qal IMPERFECT), Ps. 37:5 He will bring forth your righteousness as the light He will bring forth your justice as the noonday (#3 and #4 are parallel and seem to refer to a court case or is figurative of end-time judgment) 37:4b "And He will give you the desires of your heart" This line of poetry has always meant a lot to me personally, but I am not sure I have interpreted it correctly. I usually use this to assert that if we are faithful followers we will desire the right things because YHWH has informed our hearts (cf. Jer. 31:31-34; Ezek. 36:26-27). But it surely could refer to the answered prayers of the faithful follower (cf. Ps. 20:4-5; 21:2; 145:19; Matt. 7:7-8). The theological issue is the interplay between God's sovereignty and human freewill (see SPECIAL TOPIC: COVENANT; NIDOTTE, vol. 3, p. 444). Sometimes careful exegesis ruins a good sermon!
Salmos 37:7-11
37:7-11 This is a continuation of the previous strophe. admonitions to the faithful rest in YHWH – BDB 198, KB 226, Qal IMPERATIVE wait patiently for Him – BDB 296, KB 297, Hithpolel IMPERATIVE (i.e., for YHWH to act temporally and eschatologically) fret not – same as Ps. 37:1 (note Psalm 73) cease from anger – BDB 951, KB 1276, Hiphil IMPERATIVE (i.e., do not try to avenge yourself) forsake wrath – BDB 736, KB 806, Qal IMPERATIVE fret not – same as Ps. 37:1,7 because the fate of the faithless is sure his prosperity will be cut off (i.e., death) the wicked will have no place (like wild flowers out of season) therefore, the faithful (i.e., those who wait for YHWH, Ps. 37:9b) will inherit the land, cf. Ps. 37:9,11,22,29,34, see note D. in Contextual Insights will delight themselves in abundant prosperity 37:7 "wait patiently" The MT has the VERB (BDB 296 I, KB 297, Hithpolel IMPERATIVE), literally "whirl," "dance," "writhe" (i.e., in pain). It is used in the sense of "waiting" in Job 35:14 (Polel). Only here in Ps. 37:7 (Hithpolel) does it mean "wait patiently." Because of this the NET Bible (cf. p. 895, #9) has suggested an emendation to a different Hebrew root (i.e., from חיל to לחי, BDB 403, Hiphil; "wait confidently for Him"). 37:9 Here again is the recurrent OT emphasis of God's sovereignty and foreknowledge (cf. Ps. 37:23). All history is present before Him. Faithful followers can trust that the past is forgiven the present is empowered the future is secure SPECIAL TOPIC: ONE CAUSALITY 37:10 "Yet a little while" This is Hebrew imagery for predestined occurrences. YHWH is in control of time. There is a plan, purpose, and just outcome. Righteousness will be victorious in the end and wickedness will be exposed, judged, and eliminated (cf. Ps. 37:13)! 37:11 "the humble will inherit the land" This is quoted by Jesus in the beatitude of Matt. 5:5 (from LXX), where "land" has turned into "earth" (see Contextual Insights and SPECIAL TOPIC: LAND, COUNTRY, EARTH).
Salmos 37:12-15
37:12-15 The wicked's actions against the faithful and YHWH's response. the wicked plot against the righteous gnash (their teeth) at him/them, cf. Job 16:9; Ps. 35:16; Lam. 2:16; Acts 7:54 have drawn the swords have bent their bows (1) to cast down the afflicted (2) to cast down the needy (3) to slay the upright YHWH's response He laughs at him/them, cf. Ps. 2:4; 59:8 He sees his/their day (i.e., of judgment) coming, both temporal and eschatological their sword will enter their own heart (reversal by YHWH) their bow will be broken (reversal by YHWH)
Salmos 37:16-22
37:16-22 This strophe is a series of contrasts (antithetical parallelism). Ps. 37:16 better is the little of the righteous (cf. Prov. 15:16-17; 16:8; 28:6; this is the theological balance to 37:25) than the abundance of many wicked (i.e., do not fret over the seeming prosperity of the wicked, 37:1-2) Ps. 37:17 the arms of the wicked will be broken YHWH sustains the righteous Ps. 37:18-20 the blameless, Ps. 37:18-19 (1) YHWH knows their day (2) their inheritance will be forever (3) they will not be ashamed in the time of evil (4) in the days of famine, they will have abundance the wicked (1) will perish (2) will vanish away (MT uncertain, context suggests, like spring flowers, cf. Ps. 37:2) Ps. 37:21 the wicked borrows and does not pay back the righteous is gracious and gives Ps. 37:22 those blessed by YHWH will inherit the land those cursed by YHWH will be cut off 37:20 NASB, NRSV "the glory of the pastures" "the splendor of the meadows" REB, NEB "like fuel in a furnace" "the green of the pasture" "wild flowers" "they are gloried and exalted" The MT has "like what is precious among pastures/rams." The options are: this refers to wild flowers that come and go so quickly this refers to that which burns quickly field grass type of meat sacrificed Notice the imagery related to sacrifice. perish ‒ BDB 1, KB 2, Qal IMPERFECT vanish ‒ BDB 477, KB 476, Qal PERFECT (repeated); the wicked disappear like something burned and like smoke itself (so fleeting) same as #2 The UBS Text Project, p. 223, supports "the glory of the pasture" (i.e., wild flowers) with a "B" rating.
Salmos 37:23-26
37:23-26 This strophe describes the faithful follower(s). his/her steps are established by YHWH YHWH delights in his/her way (see SPECIAL TOPIC: THE PATH, THE WAY) when he/she falls not hurled headlong (i.e., figurative of destruction) because YHWH holds his/her hand (saints do falter from time to time but YHWH does not) psalmist (with the experiences of a lifetime) has never seen the righteous forsaken psalmist has never seen their descendants begging bread he/she is gracious and lends his/her descendants are a blessing 37:25 This is an OT perspective based on the Mosaic covenant (cf. Leviticus 26; Deuteronomy 27-30; Psalm 1). This is not meant to be interpreted today that all poor and needy people can not be believers. The covenants have changed, see Contextual Insights D. For a good brief discussion of this verse, see Hard Sayings of the Bible, pp. 267-268. SPECIAL TOPIC: PAUL'S VIEWS OF THE MOSAIC LAW SPECIAL TOPIC: THE MOSAIC LAW AND THE CHRISTIAN
Salmos 37:27-34
37:27-34 This strophe, like Ps. 37:1-6, has several IMPERATIVES (5) admonishing the faithful. This is another strophe describing the actions of the faithful followers. admonishments (i.e., IMPERATIVES) depart from evil, Ps. 37:27 – BDB 693, KB 747, Qal IMPERATIVE do good, Ps. 37:27 – BDB 793, KB 889, Qal IMPERATIVE, cf. Ps. 37:3 dwell forever, Ps. 37:27 – BDB 1014, KB 1496, Qal IMPERATIVE, cf. Ps. 37:18,29 wait for YHWH, Ps. 37:34 – BDB 875, KB 1082, Piel IMPERATIVE, cf. Ps. 37:9 keep His way, Ps. 37:34 – BDB 1036, KB 1581, Qal IMPERATIVE reasons for the admonishments YHWH loves justice (see SPECIAL TOPIC: JUSTICE) YHWH does not forsake His godly ones they are preserved forever they will inherit the land they will dwell in the land forever (see SPECIAL TOPIC: FOREVER ['olam]) they speak wisdom/justice they/he have the law of God in their/his hearts his foot does not slip YHWH will not desert him/them he/they will not be condemned in judgment Being a covenant believer changes every aspect of one's life, motives, and hopes. There is a radical difference between the faithful follower and the faithless person. The faithless person may be an idolater a disobedient covenant person a practical atheist an apathetic follower an aggressive rich person a disloyal political person In Ps. 37:32 he/she is described as one who (see strophe Ps. 37:35-40) spies upon the righteous seeks to kill him/them 37:28 "They are preserved forever" The LXX changes this to "the evildoers will be chased away." This is suggested to preserve the acrostic structure (i.e., ‘ayin) and fit the parallelism. The UBS Text Project (p. 225) gives the MT a "B" rating (some doubt). MT – נשמדו LXX – נשדו (NEB, NJB, REB) 37:31 "The law of God" This term (BDB 435) is one of several terms used to describe YHWH's revelation to Israel. SPECIAL TOPIC: FOREVER ('olam) SPECIAL TOPIC: TERMS FOR GOD'S REVELATION ▣ "in his heart" This is the internalization of God's revelation (i.e., God's Law written on the heart) and is a marker of the "new covenant" of Jer. 31:31-34. SPECIAL TOPIC: HEART ▣ "His steps do not slip" Godly living is figuratively described as a straight, level, unobstructed path, a clearly marked road (cf. Ps. 37:34a, "His way," see note at Ps. 1:1). The opposite would be steps slipped in the miry clay stumbled over In the NT this same imagery is found (i.e., "walk," cf. Eph. 4:1,17; 5:2,15). SPECIAL TOPIC: THE PATH, THE WAY
Salmos 37:35-40
37:35-40 This strophe summarizes the contrast between the righteous and the wicked. the wicked violent (lit. "terror-striking," BDB 792) spreading (rapidly, BDB 947) his influencing power and control like a luxuriant tree in the land (MT uncertain) his days are numbered and he will be no more he/they will be destroyed along with their descendants (see note below at #2 c.) the righteous mark (lit. "keep watch") the blameless man (see SPECIAL TOPIC: BLAMELESS, INNOCENT, GUILTLESS, WITHOUT REPROACH) – BDB 1036, KB 1581, Qal IMPERATIVE behold the upright – BDB 906, KB 1157, Qal IMPERATIVE the man of peace will have a posterity (either afterlife or children) they are saved by YHWH (see SPECIAL TOPIC: SALVATION [OT term]) YHWH is their strength in time of trouble YHWH helps them YHWH delivers them All of this occurs because they take refuge in Him. SPECIAL TOPIC: REFUGE