Tuesday January 28th, 2025
Tehilliym (Psalms) 37 – The Inheritance Psalm
The psalmist struggles with the enigma of the prosperity of the wicked and the affliction of the righteous.
Introduction:
Tehilliym 37 is another Alphabetical, or acrostic, Psalm, written by King Da’vid in his old age. It provides profound wisdom on trusting Yahuah, waiting patiently for His justice, and the eventual downfall of the wicked. This psalm offers encouragement to the righteous, reminding them that Yahuah upholds those who walk in His ways, while the wicked will ultimately perish.
Tehilliym 37 (KJV-YS):
Verses 1-2: Do Not Envy the Wicked
א (Aleph)
“1. Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. 2. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.”
Theme: Trusting in Yahuah’s Justice
David exhorts the righteous not to be troubled by the apparent success of the wicked. Their prosperity is temporary, and Yahuah’s justice will prevail, causing them to fade away.
Cross References:
Mishlei (Proverbs) 24:19 – “Fret not thyself because of evil men, neither be thou envious at the wicked. “
Iyov (Job) 20:5&7 – “5. That the triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the hypocrite but for a moment. 7. Yet he shall perish for ever like his own dung: they which have seen him shall say, Where is he?”
Summary: The wicked may seem to flourish, but their fate is inevitable; Yahuah’s justice will remove them like withering grass.
Verses 3-6: Trust and Delight in Yahuah
ב (Bet)
“3. Trust in Yahuah, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. 4.Delight thyself also in Yahuah; and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart.”
ג (Gimel)
“5. Commit thy way unto Yahuah; trust also in Him; and He shall bring it to pass. 6. And He shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.”
Theme: Walking in Faithful Obedience
David encourages unwavering trust in Yahuah, promising that He will provide and fulfill the desires of those who take joy in Him and commit their ways to Him.
Cross References:
Mishlei (Proverbs) 16:3 –“Commit thy works unto Yahuah, and thy thoughts shall be established.”
Mattithyahu (Matthew) 6:33 – “But seek ye first the kingdom of Elohiym, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
Summary: Trusting in Yahuah and living righteously ensures divine provision, guidance, and fulfillment of the desires aligned with His will.
Verses 7-11: The Patience of the Righteous
ד (Dalet)
“7. Rest in Yahuah, and wait patiently for Him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.”
ה (Hey)
“8. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil. 9. For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon Yahuah, they shall inherit the earth.”
ו (Vav)
” 10. For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be. 11. But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.”
Theme: The Inheritance of the Meek
David reminds believers to be patient and not resort to anger when the wicked seem to succeed. Their end is destruction, while the righteous will inherit the earth.
Cross References:
Yeshayahu (Isaiah) 40:31 – “But they that wait upon Yahuah shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”
Romiym (Romans) 12:19 – “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, saith Yahuah.”
Yeshayahu (Isaiah) 57:13 – “But he that putteth his trust in Me shall possess the land, and shall inherit My set apart mountain.”
Mattithyahu (Matthew) 5:5 – “Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.”
Summary: Those who wait on Yahuah will receive an eternal inheritance, while the wicked will perish.
Verses 12-22: Yahuah’s Judgment on the Wicked
ז (Zayin)
“12. The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth. 13. Yahuah shall laugh at him: for He seeth that his day is coming.”
ח (Chet)
“14. The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, and to slay such as be of upright conversation. 15. Their sword shall enter into their own heart, and their bows shall be broken.”
ט (Tet)
“16. A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked. 17. For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but Yahuah upholdeth the righteous.”
י (Yod)
“18. Yahuah knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be forever. 19. They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.”
כ (Kaf)
“20. But the wicked shall perish, and the enemies of Yahuah shall be as the fat of lambs: they shall consume; into smoke shall they consume away.”
ל (Lamed)
“21. The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth. 22. For such as be blessed of Him shall inherit the earth; and they that be cursed of Him shall be cut off.”
Theme: The Prosperity of the Righteous and the Fall of the Wicked
Yahuah will destroy the wicked and provide for the righteous during difficult times.
Cross References:
Mishlei (Proverbs) 11:31 – “Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner. .”
Tehilliym (Psalms) 1:6 – “For Yahuah knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the wicked shall perish.”
Summary: The righteous will be sustained and inherit the earth, while the wicked will face destruction.
Verses 23-26: Yahuah Guides the Righteous
מ (Mem)
“23. The steps of a good man are ordered by Yahuah: and He delighteth in his way. 24. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for Yahuah upholdeth him with His hand.”
נ (Nun)
“25. I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. 26. He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed.”
Theme: Yahuah’s Provision and Guidance
The righteous are upheld by Yahuah and never forsaken.
Cross References:
Yahuchanan (John) 10:28 – “And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand “
Philippiym (Philippians) 4:19 – “But my Elohiym shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Mashiach Yahusha.”
Summary: Yahuah provides for and guides the righteous through every stage of life.
Verses 27-34: Security of the Righteous
ס (Samekh)
“27. Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore. 28. For Yahuah loveth judgment,”
ע (Ayin)
“and forsaketh not His saints; they are preserved forever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off. 29. The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein forever.”
פ (Pe)
“30. The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment. 31. The law of his Elohiym is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide.”
צ (Tsade)
” 32. The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him. 33. Yahuah will not leave him in his hand, nor condemn him when he is judged.”
Theme: Endurance in Righteousness
Departing from evil ensures eternal security under Yahuah’s protection.
Cross References:
Tehilliym (Psalms) 34:14 – “Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.”
Yahuchanan (John) 14:2 – “In My Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. bI go to prepare a place for you.”
Summary: Righteousness leads to eternal dwelling with Yahuah, while wickedness results in eternal destruction.
Verses 35-38: The Downfall of the Wicked
ק (Qof)
“34. Wait on Yahuah, and keep His way, and He shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.”
ר (Resh)
“35. I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree. 36. Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found.
ש (Shin)
37. Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace. 38. But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off.”
Theme: The Temporary Triumph of the Wicked
Although the wicked may prosper, their end is destruction and separation from Yahuah.
Cross References:
Yeshayahu (Isaiah) 40:24 – “Yea, they shall not be planted; yea, they shall not be sown: yea, their stock shall not take root in the earth: and he shall also blow upon them, and they shall wither, and the whirlwind shall take them away as stubble.”
Mattithyahu (Matthew) 13:30 – “Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares,and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn. “
Summary: The wicked’s prosperity is short-lived, and their destruction is inevitable.
Verses 39-40: Salvation is of Yahuah
ת (Tav)
“39. But the salvation of the righteous is of Yahuah: He is their strength in the time of trouble. 40. And Yahuah shall help them, and deliver them: He shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in Him.”
Theme: Yahuah as the Righteous Deliverer
Yahuah is the source of salvation and strength for those who trust in Him.
Cross References:
Tehilliym (Psalms) 9:9 – “Yahuah also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.”
Romiym (Romans) 8:31 – “What shall we then say to these things? If Elohiym be for us, who can be against us?”
Summary: Salvation, strength, and deliverance belong to those who trust in Yahuah.
Psalm 37 Conclusion:
Tehilliym 37 serves as a powerful encouragement to trust in Yahuah amidst the apparent success of the wicked. David reassures the righteous that despite temporary challenges and the prosperity of evildoers, Yahuah’s justice will prevail. The psalm provides clear instructions for believers:
- Do not envy the wicked – Their success is fleeting, and they will soon perish like grass.
- Trust and delight in Yahuah – True fulfillment comes from obedience and reliance on Yahuah.
- Be patient and wait on Yahuah – The righteous will inherit the earth and experience His peace.
- Live righteously and depart from evil – Yahuah sustains, blesses, and never forsakes those who walk in His ways.
- Salvation belongs to Yahuah – He is the ultimate deliverer, strengthening and saving His people in times of trouble.
The psalm contrasts the fleeting prosperity of the wicked with the enduring inheritance of the righteous, emphasizing that those who wait on Yahuah will be exalted, while transgressors will be cut off.
Ultimately, Tehilliym 37 teaches that walking in righteousness, trusting in Yahuah’s timing, and committing one’s way to Him leads to eternal security and peace. The wicked may flourish temporarily, but Yahuah’s justice is inevitable, and the righteous will enjoy His enduring faithfulness and provision.
Self-Study and Reflection Questions for Tehilliym 37
1. Trusting Yahuah in Difficult Times
- In what areas of my life am I tempted to fret or worry about the success of the wicked?
- How can I develop deeper trust in Yahuah’s promises despite the challenges I face?
- What practical steps can I take to delight myself in Yahuah daily?
Reflection: Meditate on verses 3-5 and consider how trusting, delighting, and committing to Yahuah impacts your outlook on life’s uncertainties.
2. Waiting on Yahuah’s Timing
- How do I respond when it seems like evil prospers while righteousness struggles?
- Do I have the patience to wait on Yahuah’s timing, or do I try to take matters into my own hands?
- What lessons have I learned from times when I waited on Yahuah versus when I acted impulsively?
Reflection: Consider verse 7 and how resting in Yahuah requires surrendering control and trusting His perfect plan.
3. Pursuing Righteousness and Departing from Evil
- Are there areas in my life where I need to “depart from evil and do good” (verse 27)?
- How can I cultivate a lifestyle that reflects trust and obedience to Yahuah?
- In what ways can I be an example of righteousness and integrity to those around me?
Reflection: Evaluate your actions and thoughts to ensure they align with Yahuah’s ways, as shown in verses 23-24.
4. The Inheritance of the Righteous
- What does the promise of “inheriting the earth” (verse 11) mean to me personally?
- How does the concept of inheritance impact my long-term perspective on life and eternity?
- Am I storing up treasures in heaven, or am I too focused on temporary earthly pursuits?
Reflection: Reflect on the contrast between the fleeting success of the wicked and the enduring inheritance of the righteous.
5. Responding to Adversity
- When I face opposition, do I respond in anger or with trust in Yahuah’s justice?
- How can I better surrender my struggles and challenges to Yahuah instead of reacting in fear or frustration?
- What scriptures from this psalm can I hold onto when I feel overwhelmed?
Reflection: Consider verses 8-9 as a guide for how to deal with adversity in a way that honors Yahuah.
6. Recognizing Yahuah’s Faithfulness
- Have I seen Yahuah’s provision and protection in my life as described in verse 25?
- How can I cultivate a heart of gratitude for Yahuah’s faithfulness?
- What testimonies do I have of Yahuah’s sustaining hand during difficult seasons?
Reflection: Take time to recall and document moments when Yahuah has proven His faithfulness in your journey.
7. Salvation and Deliverance Through Yahuah
- Do I fully trust Yahuah as my salvation and strength in times of trouble (verses 39-40)?
- How can I increase my dependence on Him rather than on my own strength?
- What habits can I develop to strengthen my faith in Yahuah’s saving power?
Reflection: Use these verses to meditate on the eternal security found in Yahuah’s promises.