Vindication of the Righteous. Psalm 37:1-40. Clyde M. Miller

http://www.biblestudyworkshop.com 1 Commentary by Clyde M. Miller Questions by John C. Sewell Vindication of the Righteous Psalm 37:1-40 by Clyde M. Miller

http://www.biblestudyworkshop.com 2 Text: Psalm 37:1-40, Vindication of the Righteous Commentary by Clyde M. Miller 1. Do not fret because of evil men 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. Delight yourself 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 righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. 7. Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men 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 evil men will be cut off, 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 great peace.

http://www.biblestudyworkshop.com 3 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 days of the blameless are known to the LORD, 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: The LORD's enemies will be like the beauty of the fields, they will vanish vanish like 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 cut off. 23. If the LORD delights in a man's way, he makes his steps firm; 24. though he stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand. 25. I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread. 26. They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be blessed. 27. Turn from evil and do good; then you will dwell in the land forever. 28. For the LORD loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones. They will be protected forever, but the offspring of the wicked will be cut off; 29. the righteous will inherit the land and dwell in it forever.

http://www.biblestudyworkshop.com 4 30. The mouth of the righteous man utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks what is just. 31. The law of his God is in his heart; his feet do not slip. 32. The wicked lie in wait for the righteous, seeking their very lives; 33. but the LORD will not leave them in their power or let them be condemned when brought to trial. 34. Wait for the LORD and keep his way. He will exalt you to inherit the land; when the wicked are cut off, you will see it. 35. I have seen a wicked and ruthless man flourishing like a green tree in its native soil, 36. but he soon passed away and was no more; though I looked for him, he could not be found. 37. Consider the blameless, observe the upright; there is a future for the man of peace. 38. But all sinners will be destroyed; the future of the wicked will be cut off. 39. The salvation of the righteous comes from the LORD; he is their stronghold in time of trouble. 40. The LORD helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him. (NIV) Introduction: I. For the varied meanings of the phrase, of David, in the title, see the introductory notes on Psalm 19. A. Especially in Psalm 37, it likely suggests dedicated to David. B. The psalm contrasts the righteous and the wicked, as do many psalms, and sets forth the pleasures and displeasures of each.

http://www.biblestudyworkshop.com 5 II. Psalm 37 is a didactic psalm written to instruct the reader rather than directing its message to God in praise or petition. A. It is also an alphabetic psalm, and the alphabetic patterns are the only discernible paragraph structure. B. The rhythmic patterns are uneven, which makes it difficult to discern the lines of poetry in some places. C. The RSV, NIV, and NRSV indicate the alphabetic pattern in their paragraph divisions, but most English versions do not. III. The NIV comes closest to arranging the lines of poetry according to the standardized Hebrew text (indicated as MT, Massoretic Text). A. Some of the lines are shorter than are others. B. Generally, each paragraph occupies two English verses, but the letters daleth (7), kaph (20) and qoph (34) occupy only one each. C. Verse 28 needs to be split in the middle to indicate the alphabetic division. 1. It is the first word in each paragraph that indicates the alphabetic arrangement. 2. The other lines are neutral. D. Most paragraphs contain four lines of poetry written in external progressive parallelism so that each succeeding line adds something to the former. 1. Variables will be indicated in the notes.

http://www.biblestudyworkshop.com 6 Commentary: 2. The psalm is likely composed of short proverbial sayings strung together in an alphabetic arrangement. The Letter aaleph Psalm 37:1, 2, Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away. (NIV) I. The letter Aaleph is couched in the phrase, do not (Aal). A. These four lines are structured in external parallelism of the reason type, verse 2 stating the reason for the declaration of verse 1. 1. Internally, each of verses 1 and 2 is written in synonymous parallelism. 2. Fret and be envious are synonyms, as are evil men and those who do wrong. 3. Grass and green plants are synonyms, as are they will soon wither and they will soon die away. 4. Hence, two thoughts are expressed in this paragraph. 5. The exhortation is to avoid the temptation to be envious of the wicked, especially in a time of hardship. 6. The momentary success of the wicked is superficial and will soon fade and wither.

http://www.biblestudyworkshop.com 7 The Letter beth Psalm 37:3-4, Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. (NIV) I. The letter beth is couched in the word trust, (bĕtach). A. The thoughts of these two verses are antithetic to verses 1-2. B. Verses 1-2 are stated negatively, while verses 3-4 are stated positively. C. The thoughts of verses 3 and 4 are similar. D. It is significant that trust is accompanied by the phrase, do good. 1. Genuine trust is more than an emotion; it is that which activates obedience. E. Dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture imply promises explicitly made to Israel (Deut. 28). 1. Deuteronomy 28:1-14, If you fully obey the LORD your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. All these blessings will come upon you and accompany you if you obey the LORD your God: You will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country. The fruit of your womb will be blessed, and the crops of your land and the young of your livestock the calves of your herds and the lambs of your flocks. Your basket and your kneading trough will be blessed. You will be blessed when you

http://www.biblestudyworkshop.com 8 come in and blessed when you go out. The LORD will grant that the enemies who rise up against you will be defeated before you. They will come at you from one direction but flee from you in seven. The LORD will send a blessing on your barns and on everything you put your hand to. The LORD your God will bless you in the land he is giving you. The LORD will establish you as his holy people, as he promised you on oath, if you keep the commands of the LORD your God and walk in his ways. Then all the peoples on earth will see that you are called by the name of the LORD, and they will fear you. The LORD will grant you abundant prosperity in the fruit of your womb, the young of your livestock and the crops of your ground in the land he swore to your forefathers to give you. The LORD will open the heavens, the storehouse of his bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands. You will lend to many nations but will borrow from none. The LORD will make you the head, not the tail. If you pay attention to the commands of the LORD your God that I give you this day and carefully follow them, you will always be at the top, never at the bottom. Do not turn aside from any of the commands I give you today, to the right or to the left, following other gods and serving them. (NIV) 2. That same chapter in Deuteronomy also contains threats of evil that will come upon the nation if they digress from God s will. 3. Obedient trust in God will allow them to delight themselves in the LORD and to live the happy life promised.

http://www.biblestudyworkshop.com 9 The Letter gimel Psalm 37:5, 6, Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. (NIV) I. The alphabetic word is gowl, commit. A. The exhortation of verse 5 is followed in verse 6 with a resultant promise. 1. Commit and trust form a word pair. 2. Way means life, and is an extension of the phrase, do good, in verse 3. B. He will do this is explicated in verse 6. 1. Righteousness and justice form a word pair. Righteousness is here better rendered vindication. 2. Of your cause is an explanatory interpolation. 3. Like the dawn and like the noonday sun are synonymous expressions, referring to the radiance of their lives noticed by observers. The Letter daleth Psalm 37:7, Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. (NIV) I. Commit renders dowm, the alphabetic word.

http://www.biblestudyworkshop.com 10 II. This paragraph is best written as a climactic triplet, as follows: Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. III. The first line is balanced in two principal clauses stating two exhortations of synonymous meanings. A. The second and third lines contain two subordinate clauses of synonymous meanings. B. Do not fret is meant to be applied in thought to both the second and third lines. IV. Wait patiently is the key phrase in this paragraph. A. Patience, a necessary ingredient of trust (3a), must be exercised when one observes the apparent success of the wicked schemes of evildoers. B. This paragraph repeats the theme of verses 1-2. The Letter h?. Psalm 37:8-9, Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret it leads only to evil. For evil men will be cut off, but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land. (NIV) I. Refrain translates hereph, which is the alphabetic word. II. Verses 8-9 are written in external parallelism of the reason type, verse 9 stating the reason for the exhortation in verse 8. A. Anger is an outgrowth of impatience.

http://www.biblestudyworkshop.com 11 1. Hence, this paragraph is an extension of the previous exhortation to patience (7a). 2. The first line of verse 8 contains two balanced imperatives. a. The first implies that anger has not begun, and the second implies that it has already begun. b. The second line of verse 8 reiterates the thought of 1a and 7b. c. It leads only to evil probably refers to the anger and wrath of 8a. d. These two terms are likely a hendiadys (the use of two independent words connected by and instead of the usual combination of an independent word and its modifier), thus meaning wrathful anger. B. Not all anger is sinful, but the deeper expression of wrath usually is sinful or leads to sin. 1. The reason for the imperatives, probably in the sense of exhortations, is that the evildoers will be cut off. 2. By contrast, those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land. a. This concept is repeated for emphasis in Psalm 37 (9,11,22,29,34). b. Psalm 37:9, 11, 22, 29, 34, For evil men will be cut off, but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land. But the meek will inherit

http://www.biblestudyworkshop.com 12 the land and enjoy great peace. those the LORD blesses will inherit the land, but those he curses will be cut off. the righteous will inherit the land and dwell in it forever. Wait for the LORD and keep his way. He will exalt you to inherit the land; when the wicked are cut off, you will see it. (NIV) c. Not only will they inherit the land but they will retain it. Jesus enlarged this concept with the statement, For they will inherit the earth (Mt. 5:5). i. Matthew 5:5, Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. The Letter waw. Psalm 37:10, 11, A little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found. But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy great peace. (NIV) I. The letter waw, the alphabetic word, is a conjunction that can be translated many different ways depending on the context. A. Yet is the rendering in ASV, KJV, NASB, et al). B. The NIV omits the word. C. A little while reiterates the thought of 2a.

http://www.biblestudyworkshop.com 13 The Letter zayin. Psalm 37:12-13, The wicked plot against the righteous and gnash their teeth at them; but the Lord laughs at the wicked, for he knows their day is coming. (NIV) I. Plot renders the word zom?m, which is the alphabetic word. A. Verse 13 is antithetic to verse 12. B. The wicked often prosper because of their abuse of the righteous. 1. Under such circumstances, the righteous need a broad perspective that allows them to perceive the contrast between the vicious intent of the wicked and the judgment of God that will bring justice. C. Laughs here carries the connotation of laughing in derision (Ps. 2:4). 1. Psalm 2:4, The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them. The Letter cheth. Psalm 37:14-15, The wicked draw the sword and bend the bow to bring down the poor and needy, to slay those whose ways are upright. But their swords will pierce their own hearts, and their bows will be broken. (NIV) I. This paragraph is best written as extended parallelism with five lines of poetry, as follows:

http://www.biblestudyworkshop.com 14 The wicked draw the sword and bend the bow to bring down the poor and needy, to slay those whose ways are upright. But their swords will pierce their own hearts, and their bows will be broken. A. The sword, cherebh, is the alphabetic word. 1. This paragraph extends the thought of the former. 2. It employs the boomerang principle which says that the evil intent of the wicked will be returned upon them. 3. The context of the psalm implies that this will result from the action of God. 4. The poor and needy (14b) are defined as those whose ways are upright. 5. They are the defenseless that depend on God for help. The Letter teth. Psalm 37:16, 17, Better the little that the righteous have than the wealth of many wicked; for the power of the wicked will be broken, but the LORD upholds the righteous. (NIV) I. The alphabetic word is towb, better. A. Internally, verse 16 is of the comparative type, comparing the possible poverty of the righteous with the wealth of the wicked. B. Verse 17 states the reason why the righteous should not despair over the power of the wicked.

http://www.biblestudyworkshop.com 15 C. Internally, verse 17 contrasts the superficial power of the wicked that will be broken with the security of the righteous that the LORD upholds. 1. Obviously, spiritual security of the righteous is meant. 2. It is admitted that the righteous may have comparably little in the form of earthly goods, but he has something far more valuable, namely, spiritual security. The Letter yodh. Psalm 37:18-19, The days of the blameless are known to the LORD, and their inheritance will endure forever. In times of disaster they will not wither; in days of famine they will enjoy plenty. (NIV) I. Known, yowde a, is the alphabetic word. A. Days, days of famine and evil times are parallels. B. Evil here, and frequently elsewhere, means troublesome. C. God will sustain the blameless, t e mimim, a synonym of righteous (17b). 1. Under consideration is not merely their initial inheritance but the continuance of it. D. Forever here means for a lifetime or at least for a long time. II. God s knowledge is not merely a personality trait; it is active for blessing.

http://www.biblestudyworkshop.com 16 A. The thought here is that he will not lose his inheritance through economic hardship. B. Neither disaster, a general term, nor famine, a specific trouble, will destroy the inheritance or prosperity within it. The Letter kaph. Psalm 37:20, But the wicked will perish: The LORD's enemies will be like the beauty of the fields, they will vanish vanish like smoke. (NIV) I. This paragraph is best written in three lines of poetry, as follows: But the wicked will perish: The LORD s enemies will be like the beauty of the fields, they will vanish vanish like smoke. II. The alphabetic word is kiy, which could be interpreted as a disjunctive particle, but, or as an intensive particle, surely. A. It also has several other meanings. B. At any rate, its present position in the psalm provides a contrast to the previous paragraph. C. There are textual difficulties in the second line, so that the translation and meaning are uncertain. D. The implication seems to be that the wicked will soon vanish (1-2,10) like the withered pastures in Israel in midsummer, or like smoke that soon vanishes (Ps. 102:3).

http://www.biblestudyworkshop.com 17 1. Psalm 37:1, 2, 10, Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away. A little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found. (NIV) 2. Psalm 102:3, For my days vanish like smoke; my bones burn like glowing embers. (NIV) The Letter lamedh Psalm 37:21, 22, The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous give generously; those the LORD blesses will inherit the land, but those he curses will be cut off. (NIV) I. The alphabetic word is loweh, borrow. A. Each verse contrasts the wicked with the righteous. 1. The contrast is sharp in verse 21. B. The wicked do not pay their debts but the righteous go beyond lending; they give generously (Eph. 4:28). 1. Ephesians 4:28, He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need. (NIV) The Letter mem. Psalm 37:23, 24, If the LORD delights in a man's way, he makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand. (NIV)

http://www.biblestudyworkshop.com 18 I. The alphabetic phrase is meyĕhwah, from Yahweh. A. This paragraph admits that the one in whom the LORD delights may stumble, that is, suffer setbacks, but he will not fall, that is, he will not be destroyed. 1. The reason is that God makes his steps firm and will uphold him. 2. Steps refers to a person s life as a walk. 3. This paragraph, therefore, extends the thought of the former. The Letter nun Psalm 37:25-26, I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread. They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be blessed. (NIV) A. This paragraph is best written in five lines of poetry, as follows: I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread. They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be blessed. B. The alphabetic word is na ar, young. C. This proverb is familiar to most of us. 1. The wisdom teacher declares the lesson to be learned from his long life of experience and observation.

http://www.biblestudyworkshop.com 19 2. The paragraph repeats the lesson in verses 21-22 but adds a personal touch. a. Psalm 37:21, 22, The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous give generously; those the LORD blesses will inherit the land, but those he curses will be cut off. (NIV) The Letter samekh. Psalm 37:27-28b, Turn from evil and do good; then you will dwell in the land forever. For the LORD loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones. They will be protected forever, but the offspring of the wicked will be cut off; (NIV) I. The alphabetic word is sur, turn. A. Turn from evil and do good is precisely found also in Psalm 34:14. 1. Psalm 34:14, Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. (NIV) 2. The sharp contrast shows that it is not sufficient to avoid evil; one must also fill one s life with doing good. 3. Psalm 37:3 says, Trust in the LORD and do good, which shows that trust must be activated in a good life. B. Dwell in the land is repeated from verse 3. 1. Here it is a promise. This paragraph is similar to verses 3-4.

http://www.biblestudyworkshop.com 20 a. Palm 37:3, 4, Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. (NIV) The Letter Uayin. Psalm 37:28c-29, but the offspring of the wicked will be cut off; the righteous will inherit the land and dwell in it forever. (NIV) I. The alphabetic word is l e Uolam, forever. A. The prefixed preposition, l e does not count in the alphabetic arrangement. B. Forever, used as an adverb of manner, means completely, totally. 1. As an adverb of time, it means one s lifetime. 2. The thought here is the same as in verse 9. a. Psalm 37:9, For evil men will be cut off, but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land. (NIV) C. Inherit the land is a familiar phrase in Psalm 37 (9,11,22,29,34). 1. Psalm 37:9, 11, 22, 29, 34, For evil men will be cut off, but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land. But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy great peace. those the LORD blesses will inherit the land, but those he curses will be cut off. the righteous will inherit the land and dwell in it forever. Wait for

http://www.biblestudyworkshop.com 21 the LORD and keep his way. He will exalt you to inherit the land; when the wicked are cut off, you will see it. (NIV) The Letter p?. Psalm 37:30-31, The mouth of the righteous man utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks what is just. The law of his God is in his heart; his feet do not slip. (NIV) I. The alphabetic word is piy, the mouth of. A. This paragraph shows the intimate connection between thought (31a) and speech (30a,b), and between wisdom and justice (30b). 1. Psalm 37:30, 31, The mouth of the righteous man utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks what is just. The law of his God is in his heart; his feet do not slip. (NIV) 2. Wisdom in the Old Testament is never devoid of ethical content. The Letter tsadhe. Psalm 37:32-33, The wicked lie in wait for the righteous, seeking their very lives; but the LORD will not leave them in their power or let them be condemned when brought to trial. (NIV) I. The alphabetic word is tsowpeh, watches, in most versions. A. The Hebrew word can also mean spies, NASB, hence, lie in wait, NIV.

http://www.biblestudyworkshop.com 22 B. This paragraph repeats the thought of verses 12-13. 1. Psalm 37:12, 13, The wicked plot against the righteous and gnash their teeth at them; but the Lord laughs at the wicked, for he knows their day is coming. (NIV) C. Brought to trial, an excellent translation of hishshapheto, and be condemned yarshiuennu (33b) confirm that judicial slaying (32a,b) is under consideration. 1. Psalm 37: 32, 33, The wicked lie in wait for the righteous, seeking their very lives; but the LORD will not leave them in their power or let them be condemned when brought to trial. (NIV) D. The paragraph describes one falsely accused, the innocent or righteous (32a). The Letter qoph. Psalm 37:34, Wait for the LORD and keep his way. He will exalt you to inherit the land; when the wicked are cut off, you will see it. (NIV) I. The alphabetic word is qivv?h, wait. II. The thought of this verse has already been presented in the psalm (7,9,11,22,28c, et al). A. Psalm 37:7, 9, 11, 22, 28, Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. For evil men will be cut off, but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land. But the meek will inherit the land and

http://www.biblestudyworkshop.com 23 enjoy great peace. those the LORD blesses will inherit the land, but those he curses will be cut off. For the LORD loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones. They will be protected forever, but the offspring of the wicked will be cut off; (NIV) The Letter r?sh. Psalm 37:35-36, I have seen a wicked and ruthless man flourishing like a green tree in its native soil, but he soon passed away and was no more; though I looked for him, he could not be found. (NIV) I. The alphabetic word is ra iytiy, I have seen. A. The wisdom teacher here portrays himself as a country traveler who sees a mighty tree by the wayside. Shortly thereafter, he passes by the way and the tree has disappeared so that no trace of it remains. B. Such is the swift judgment and ultimate destiny of the wicked overbearing person who oppresses the defenseless (cf. 32-33). 1. Psalm 37:32, 33, The wicked lie in wait for the righteous, seeking their very lives; but the LORD will not leave them in their power or let them be condemned when brought to trial. (NIV) The Letter shin. Psalm 37:37-38, Consider the blameless, observe the upright; there is a future for the man of peace. But all sinners will be destroyed; the future of the wicked will be cut off. (NIV)

http://www.biblestudyworkshop.com 24 I. The alphabetic word is sh e mar, mark. Consider (NIV) is a synonym of mark. II. The blameless and upright person is also a person of peace, that is, he is a peacemaker. A. The sinners contemplated here are the opposite in character and action. 1. Their future will be cut short. 2. Future (37b, 38b) renders Aacharith, which can refer to one s future days (NIV, NKJV), or his posterity (RSV, NASB). 3. The former refers to a person s prospects in life, and the second refers to the legacy of children to inherit the property and to carry on the continuity of family traditions. B. The Law of Moses threatened wayward Israelites with a diminished posterity (Deut. 28:62-63). 1. Deuteronomy 28:62, 63, You who were as numerous as the stars in the sky will be left but few in number, because you did not obey the LORD your God. 63 Just as it pleased the LORD to make you prosper and increase in number, so it will please him to ruin and destroy you. You will be uprooted from the land you are entering to possess. (NIV) The Letter taw. Psalm 37:39-40, The salvation of the righteous comes from the LORD; he is their stronghold in time of trouble. The LORD helps

http://www.biblestudyworkshop.com 25 them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him. (NIV) I. This paragraph is best written in five lines of poetry, as follows: The salvation of the righteous comes from the LORD; he is their stronghold in time of trouble. The LORD helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him. II. The alphabetic word is utĕshua t. But the salvation of. The first letter is a prefixed conjunction and does not count in the alphabetic arrangement. III. The final paragraph provides a summary conclusion to the psalm, which affirms the ultimate salvation (victory, 39a) of the righteous, and their deliverance from the wicked (40a). A. The LORD brings it to pass as a reward for their trusting acceptance of Him as their stronghold (39b) and refuge (40c). IV. This psalm, interpreted as a collection of proverbs and arranged in alphabetic order, reveals how prominent the subject of theodicy was in Israel. A. Theodicy is the defense of God s goodness and omnipotence in view of the existence of evil (Webster). B. Theodicy was a common theme in all ancient wisdom literature, but Israel s confidence was unique because it was founded on their trust in their unique relationship to their covenant God who acts within history to accomplish His purposes.

http://www.biblestudyworkshop.com 26 Application: I. Since Yahweh is a God of principle and does not act capriciously like heathen deities, we can trust Him eventually to bless the righteous and curse the wicked. A. Although temporary circumstances may occasionally cloud the reality, the patient follower will discover that ultimately the divine principle is at work. B. The long-range history of Israel and of the church confirms the truthfulness of God s promises and threats. II. Our obligation is to trust and obey.

http://www.biblestudyworkshop.com 27 Questions Psalm 37:1-40 (Questions based on NIV text.) 1. Psalm 37 is an alphabetical psalm. List below the respective Hebrew letters and their respective words as cited in this outline. 2. Psalm 37 contrasts the and the and sets the and of each.

http://www.biblestudyworkshop.com 28 3. Psalm 37 is a written to the rather that its to in and. 4. Most contains of written in so that each adds something to the. 5. This psalm is likely composed of in an. 6. What types of external parallelism are found in Psalm 37? Define each type. 7. Fret is a synonym of. Evil men is a synonym of. Green is a synonym of. They will soon die is a synonym for. 8. The is to the to be of the, especially in a time of. The of the is and will soon and.

http://www.biblestudyworkshop.com 29 9. is accompanied by the phrase. is more than an ; it is that which activates. 10. in the and imply made to. 11. What does Deuteronomy 28:1-14 say? 12. What does Deuteronomy say about those who digress from God s will? 13. means. can be rendered the is the. 14. What is a climactic triplet?

http://www.biblestudyworkshop.com 30 15. is a key phrase. is a of, must be when one observes the apparent success of the of. 16. is an of. and lead only to. 17. What is a hendiadys? Give an example of this in Psalm 37. 18. Is all anger sinful? If not when is anger sinful and when is it not sinful? 19. will be, but those who in the will the and it. 20. Why do the wicked often prosper? In view of this, what are the righteous to do?

http://www.biblestudyworkshop.com 31 21. Why does God do and why? See Psalm 2:4. 22. What is the boomerang principle? Where and how is it used in Psalm 37? 23. The and are defined as those whose are. 24. Who are those referenced in question 23 above? 25. Compare the poverty of the righteous with the wealth of the wicked. 26., of and are parallels. in verse 19 means. is a syno-

http://www.biblestudyworkshop.com 32 nym for. means a or at least for a. 27. Neither nor will destroy the or of the. 28. What are disjunctive and intensive participles? Be specific. 29. Contrast the wicked and righteous. See verses 21 and 22. 30. Verses 23 and 24 admits that the one in whom the may ; that is, suffer, but he will not, that is, he will not be. 31. We are to from and do. It is not enough to. We must also fill our with. 32. Explain the intimate connection between thought and speech, wisdom and justice.

http://www.biblestudyworkshop.com 33 33. What is the point of the illustration regarding the country traveler and the mighty tree by the roadside? 34. Mark means. The and person is also a person of. Future can refer to s or his. 35. The first meaning of future above refers to a s in, and the second refers to the of to the and to carry on the. 36. With what did the Law of Moses threaten wayward Israelites? 37. This psalm concludes with the of the and their from the. 38. What would the Lord so bless these kinds of people?

http://www.biblestudyworkshop.com 34 39. What is theodicy and why is it so important in ancient wisdom literature? 40. Since is a of and does not act like, we can eventually to the and the. Our is to and. 41. Why are we not to fret because of evil men? 42. in the and do. 43. Who said, The meek will inherit the land? How can this possibly happen?

http://www.biblestudyworkshop.com 35 44. Why do the wicked plot against the righteous? Give examples, Biblical and secular. 45. Do you believe, Better the little that the righteous have than the wealth of many wicked? Give reasons for your answer. 46. Give examples of the principle: The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous give generously. 47. Have you ever seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread? 48. The of the man utters, and this speaks what is.

http://www.biblestudyworkshop.com 36 The of his is in his ; his do not. 49. What applications can we make of Psalm 37 that will improve our lives? Describe the type person these teachings would produce.