Five Steps to Peace

(Psalm 37:3-8)

Mike Johnson

“Do not fret because of evildoers, nor be envious of the workers of iniquity.  For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb (Ps. 37:1-2).”

When we think of the word “fret,” we may think of someone continuously or excessively worrying or frequently anxious.  However, the Hebrew word used here (charah) means “to be hot, to be furious, to burn, to become angry, to be kindled” (The Online Bible Thayer’s Greek Lexicon & Brown Driver & Briggs Hebrew Lexicon).  Most translators translate the Hebrew word in the text as “fret.”  Elsewhere, however, it is rendered with such words as “wrath,” “anger,” “hot,” or “kindled.” In addition, various modern translations may translate it by words “annoyed” or “upset.”  Thus, the idea is not to be angry or “worked up” regarding evildoers or envy them (1b).  Why would someone be tempted to react this way?  It is because of the prosperity and, seemingly, good life.  Jeremiah asked, in Jeremiah 12:1, “Why does the way of the wicked prosper?  Why are those happy who deal so treacherously?”

There are times when God’s people face many difficulties in life.  Like others, Christians can face money problems, mistreatment, illnesses, the death of loved ones, and relationship issues.  Yet people who make no pretense of serving God seem not to be experiencing such matters, as everything appears to be going well for them.  Looking at the prosperity of evil people, God’s followers might tend to get discouraged.  This discouragement especially appears when EVERYTHING seems to be going wrong, and they hit “rock bottom.” However, it is ridiculous to be envious of evildoers.

Verse 2 points out that these evildoers will soon be “cut down like the green grass,” and they will “wither” as the “green herb.”  Their prosperity only lasts for this short life.  Righteous people, however, have much more going for them.  In Proverbs 24:19-20, Solomon says, “Do not fret because of evildoers, nor be envious of the wicked; for there will be no prospect for the evil man; the lamp of the wicked will be put out.”

Sometimes, a Christian might contemplate how nice it would be to swap places with another person.  Although that person may be living a life of ease, perhaps wealthy or famous, switching places with an evil person would not be wise as their days of pleasure are short.  It might be said that this world is as close to heaven as they will ever be.  With the righteous, however, their days may be full of toil and strife, but they have a glorious future beyond this life, and their earthly existence is as close to Hell as they will ever be.

After showing the importance of not having anxiety, anger, and envy because of the prosperity of evil people, David points out what might be called “Five Steps to Peace” in verses 3-8.  These are “medicines” against fretting and anxiety.  They are the path to peace.

1. Trust in the Lord and Do Good —  Verse 3 says, “Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.”  Thus, instead of fretting over the prosperity of evil people, the first step for God’s people is to trust in the Lord and to keep busy doing good.  The Hebrew word translated “trust” can be defined as “A verb indicating to trust, to be confident.  It expresses the feeling of safety and security felt when one relies on someone or something else.  It is used to show trust in God…in other people…or in things…In addition, this expression can also relate to the state of being confident, secure, without fear”  (The Complete Word Study Dictionary: Old Testament).  The same idea is in Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”  (Note also Ps. 9:10; 4:5.)

In the text (3b), he also says to “do good.” Doing good is often associated with trusting in God.  Recall another occasion when Nehemiah and the people were rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, and Tobiah, an antagonist, started ridiculing them (Neh. 4:3-6).  How did they respond?  They prayed, and they kept working.  We should always do this today, especially when facing life’s challenges.  We must trust God and stay busy!

In the later part of verse 3, a blessing is attached.  If we trust in God and “do good,” we can “dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.” For the children of Israel, the land would refer to the Promised Land, the land of Canaan (Is. 1:19).  If they would trust God and “do good,” God would “feed them” with physical blessings such as food and clothing.  How do we “feed” on God’s faithfulness?  We feed upon God’s faithfulness by having full assurance that He is willing and able to keep His promises.

2. Delight in the Lord — Verse 4 says, “Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.” Found here is the next step for peace, which is to delight in the Lord.  The word found in the original (anag) carries with it the idea of something delicate or soft that someone would take pleasure in (The Complete Word Study Dictionary).  Here it involves the concept of having joy and delight in God.  The verse says, “Delight yourself,” so there is a choice involved and the idea of effort and commitment.

What does it mean today to take delight in something or someone?  It involves being excited (thrilled, energized) when people do what they want to do or with someone they love.  What do you take great delight in today?  Many take great pleasure in sports.  They cannot wait for the season to start, and they eagerly anticipate the start of the big game.  When the game is over, they talk about it with others.  Indeed, they delight in sports.  Others may delight in television, wealth, shopping, eating, or their computer.  It is good to have various hobbies and endeavors we enjoy.  Primarily, however, as the text says, we should delight in the Lord!  For us, God produces delight, pleasure, and happiness.  Therefore, if we delight in the Lord, the result should be a joyful interest in things of a spiritual nature.

Returning to verse 4b, we see a blessing attached to delighting in the Lord.  It says if we trust in the Lord, He will give us the “desires of our heart.” Some interpret this to mean if we trust in the Lord, He will provide us with anything we want, such as luxuries, wealth, and power.  However, this is not talking about superficial earthly desires to have more.  1 Timothy 6:6 says, “Now godliness with contentment is great gain.” 1 John 2:15-17 points out we are not to love the world or the things in the world.  The passage in our text is consistent with the New Testament teaching on prayer.  In the New Testament, there are assurances regarding prayer (Mt. 7:7-11), but we also learn there are conditions of acceptable prayer (I Pet. 3:12, James 5:16-18).  It is not saying if we delight in the Lord, He will give us any luxury we request of God.  Instead, as in the New Testament, God knows our needs; we pray to Him, and His response will be in keeping with what is best for us.

We tend to get discouraged.  We see moral decay with little interest in spirituality.  Perhaps the stock market is down, the economy is terrible, and we see war and violence worldwide.  This bleakness can result in despair, but we should always delight in the Lord regardless of what is happening around us.  Corrie Ten Bloom put it like this.

Look around, you’ll be distressed.

Look within, you’ll be depressed,

Look to the Lord, you’ll be at rest.

Thus, do not get angry and envious because of evil people’s prosperity; instead, rejoice in the Lord.

3. Commit Our Way to the Lord and Trust Him — Verses 5-6 says, “Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass. (6) He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, And your justice as the noonday.” 

The third step to peace is to commit our way to the Lord and trust God.  As noted, we really cannot delight in the Lord if we are unwilling to obey Him.  Another way to say this is in verse 5.  We must “commit our way” (our course of life) to Him, and we must “trust” Him.

Consider the meaning of the Hebrew word translated as “commit.” The root meaning involves the idea of “roll” and refers to the “rolling of a stone.” Consider the following definition.  “It can also describe abstract concepts, such as reproach being rolled off (removed) from someone (Ps 119:22) or one’s ways and works rolled onto (committed, entrusted) to someone (especially God)…” (The Complete Word Study Dictionary: Old Testament).  Thus, it might be said we are to roll off the burdens of life onto the Lord.  Consider I Peter 5:6-7: “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.”  We must commit our lives to the Lord and trust Him to care for us.  As we handle the burdens of life, we give God the credit.  Verse 6 shows a blessing that will follow.  It points out that God will vindicate those who commit their way to Him and make them shine like a bright sun.

4. Rest in the Lord and Wait — Verse 7 says, “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 brings wicked schemes to pass.”

The fourth step to obtaining peace is to rest in the Lord and patiently wait.  The word translated “rest” means “to be silent, to be still, to stand still.” (The Complete Word Study Dictionary).  The prosperity of the wicked might produce a dilemma for followers of God.  The evildoer may prosper while engaging in wicked schemes.  God’s people are not to fret, get angry, or envy.  Instead, they are to remain silent and patiently wait for God.  (See also Ps. 46:10, Ex. 14:13-14, Rom. 8:38-39.)

5. Cease to be Angry — Verse 8 says, “Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; do not fret — it only causes harm.” This step is the last one for peace.  In the context, this is saying to stop being angry about the prosperity and seemingly good life of evildoers.  Unresolved anger can fester and lead to bitterness and hurtful actions.  Therefore, do not be fretful regarding evildoers or be angry with God.  Ultimately, for the righteous, everything will work out.  Someone put it like this: “We may not be able to control what happens in our lives, but we can control how we respond to what happens.”

Putting away the anger and anxiety that may come when we face difficulties is essential.  We can do this by following these “medicines” for peace.