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Seeing evil and godless people get their way in the world can be disheartening for God’s people. While God’s people strive to please God and experience suffering and persecution, the wicked can seem to be prosperous. The Psalmist recognizes this paradox. He encourages those who love God not to fret (1, 7, 8) or worse, envy those who do wrong. Like grass, evildoers will soon wither and die away.
Instead of looking at the wicked, God’s people are told to trust in the LORD and do good. When we delight in the LORD, he promises to give us the desires of our hearts (4). God vindicates us. Trusting and delighting in the LORD is expressed in being still before God, waiting patiently for him, and hoping in him. God will bless us with an eternal inheritance (9b, 10, 11, 18, 22) where we will enjoy peace and prosperity. God cares for the righteous in times of disaster and famine.
On the other hand, the fate of the wicked is certain destruction (9a, 20). Their time is short. God laughs at them (13). He turns their wickedness back upon them (15) and breaks their power.
Do not become weary in doing good and pleasing the LORD (Gal 6:9). Take new strength and delight in the LORD, beginning today.
May 10, 2026
DELIGHT IN THE LORD, NOT IN EVIL
Passage: bible.psalm 37:1-22
Key verse: 4
NIV
chapter 37
1. [Of David.] Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong;
2. for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away.
3. Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
4. Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
5. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this:
6. He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun.
7. Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.
8. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret - it leads only to evil.
9. For those who are evil will be destroyed, but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land.
10. A little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found.
11. But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy peace and prosperity.
12. The wicked plot against the righteous and gnash their teeth at them;
13. but the LORD laughs at the wicked, for he knows their day is coming.
14. The wicked draw the sword and bend the bow to bring down the poor and needy, to slay those whose ways are upright.
15. But their swords will pierce their own hearts, and their bows will be broken.
16. Better the little that the righteous have than the wealth of many wicked;
17. for the power of the wicked will be broken, but the LORD upholds the righteous.
18. The blameless spend their days under the LORD’s care, and their inheritance will endure forever.
19. In times of disaster they will not wither; in days of famine they will enjoy plenty.
20. But the wicked will perish: Though the LORD’s enemies are like the flowers of the field, they will be consumed, they will go up in smoke.
21. The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous give generously;
22. those the LORD blesses will inherit the land, but those he curses will be destroyed.
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Prayer: Father, I repent for fretting because of those who do evil. Help me to delight in you.
One Word: The LORD is the joy of my heart