PS 37 David exhorts to patience and confidence in God, ver. 1-8. Shews the different state of the righteous and the wicked, ver. 9- 40. A psalm of David.

1. Fret not - Because they prosper in their wicked enterprizes.

5. Commit - All thy cares and business, and necessities, commend to God by fervent prayer.

6. Judgment - It shall be as visible to men, as the light of the sun, at noon-day.

7. Rest - Do not repine at his dealings, but quietly submit to his will, and wait for his help.

8. Fret not - Either against the sinner for his success; or against God. Do evil - If grief arise in thee, take care that it do not transport thee to sin.

9. The earth - This for the most part was literally fulfilled in that state of the church.

10. Not be - He shall be dead and gone. Diligently - Industriously seeking him. His place - His place and estate, and glory.

11. But - Those who patiently bear God's afflicting hand, and meekly pass by injuries. Peace - Partly of outward peace and prosperity, which God in his due time will give them: but principally of inward peace, in the sense of God's favour and the assurance of endless happiness.

13. His day - The day appointed by God for his punishment or destruction.

18. Knoweth - Observes with care and affection. The days - All things which befall them, their dangers and fears, and suffering. For ever - To them and their seed for ever: and when they die their inheritance is not lost, but exchanged for one infinitely better.

20. Fat - Which in an instant melts before the fire.

23. Established - So that he shall not fall into mischief.

24. Fall - Into trouble.

25. Forsaken - These temporal promises, were more express to the Jews in the times of the Old Testament, than to Christians.

26. Blessed - Not only with spiritual, but with temporal blessings.

27. Dwell - Thou shalt dwell in the land, and afterwards in heaven.

30. The mouth - Having shewed, God's singular care over the righteous, he proceeds to give a character of them. Judgment - Of God's judgment, word or law.

31. Heart - His thoughts, meditations and affections are fixed upon it. Slide - Slide, or swerve, from the rule, from God's law.

35. Bay-tree - Which is continually green and flourishing even in winter.

36. Yet - He was gone in an instant. But - There was no monument or remainder of him left.

37. Peace - Though he may meet with troubles in his way, yet all shall end well.