Psalm 37 is a wisdom psalm attributed to David, written in his older age (v. 25), offering counsel on how to navigate a world where the wicked seem to prosper while the righteous struggle. Verse 1 sets the thematic tone for the entire chapter: a call to emotional and spiritual stability. It issues a double prohibition against two corrosive reactions—fretting (anger/worry) and envy—when observing the apparent success of those who do evil. It shifts the believer’s focus from the temporary success of others to the eternal faithfulness of God.
1. The Prohibition of Fretting (Psalm 37:1a ESV)
Fret not yourself because of evildoers;
Commentary:
The verse opens with a direct imperative concerning the believer’s emotional state regarding injustice.
- Meaning of “Fret”: The Hebrew verb used here is charah, which literally means “to burn” or “to be kindled.” It describes a rising internal heat—a mixture of anger, irritation, and anxiety. It suggests a state of agitation where one is “hot” with vexation.
- The Cause: The agitation is triggered by “evildoers.” In a fallen world, those who break God’s laws often seem to advance without consequence. This visual evidence contradicts the believer’s sense of justice.
- Self-inflicted harm: The phrase “fret not yourself” (reflexive) implies that this agitation is something we do to ourselves. The actions of the wicked are external, but the reaction of “fretting” is an internal choice that eats away at the believer’s peace.
- The Danger of Fretting: Later in the psalm (v. 8), David warns that fretting “tends only to evil.” When believers allow themselves to “burn” with anger over the success of the wicked, they risk becoming bitter, losing their trust in God, or acting rashly (becoming evildoers themselves).
Insight: Fretting acts as a spiritual fever. It indicates an infection in our trust, suggesting we believe God has lost control or is ignoring justice.
2. The Prohibition of Envy (Psalm 37:1b ESV)
be not envious of wrongdoers!
Commentary:
The second half of the verse moves from anger to desire. Parallelism is used here to deepen the instruction.
- The Shift to Envy: While “fretting” is a reaction of anger at the actions of the wicked, “envy” is a reaction of desire for the results of the wicked.
- The Temptation: Wrongdoers often possess wealth, status, power, or ease of life. The temptation is to look at their lives and think, “They disobey God and prosper; I obey God and struggle. I want what they have.”
- The Definition of Envy: To be “envious” (qana) means to be jealous or to have a zealous desire for what belongs to another. It questions God’s fairness and provision.
- The Object: The “wrongdoers” (or workers of unrighteousness) are those who cheat, steal, or compromise to get ahead. Enrying them implies that their method is superior to God’s method of righteousness.
- The Shortsightedness: Envy is based on a snapshot of the present moment. It fails to consider the trajectory of the wrongdoer’s life, which the psalmist will later describe as grass that quickly withers (v. 2).
Insight: You cannot envy a sinner’s success without implicitly despising God’s holiness. Envy claims that the reward of sin is better than the reward of holiness.
3. Theological Significance of Psalm 37:1
- The Sovereignty of God: The command to remain calm implies that God is sovereign over justice. If God were not in control, fretting would be a logical reaction. Silence and patience are acts of theological conviction.
- The Nature of Evil’s Prosperity: The Bible acknowledges that evil people prosper (a common theme in Wisdom Literature). However, this prosperity is portrayed as unstable, temporary, and ultimately worthless compared to spiritual inheritance.
- Sanctification of Emotions: God cares about the emotional life of the believer. He commands us not just to do right, but to feel right—to guard the heart against bitterness and covetousness.
- The Definition of Success: By forbidding envy of the wicked, the text redefines success. True success is not material gain achieved through wrong means, but a relationship with God that endures.
4. Practical Applications
- Monitor Your Temperature: When watching the news or observing corrupt colleagues, pay attention to your “internal heat.” Are you burning with agitation? Take this as a signal to pray rather than vent.
- The “Long View” Strategy: When tempted to envy the corrupt wealthy, mentally fast-forward to the end of their narrative. Remind yourself that their prosperity is fleeing (like cut grass), but God’s favor is eternal.
- Replace, Don’t Just Suppress: You cannot simply stop fretting by will-power. You must replace the fretfulness with the positive commands found later in the Psalm: “Trust in the Lord” (v. 3) and “Delight yourself in the Lord” (v. 4).
- Avoid Comparison: Comparison is the fuel of envy. Focus on your own walk with God and His specific provision for you, rather than the apparent ease of those who ignore Him.
Final Insight
Psalm 37:1 is a spiritual stop sign. It halts the downward spiral of bitterness that begins when we look horizontally at people rather than vertically at God. The cure for a “fretting” heart is not a change in circumstances, but a change in focus—trusting that the Judge of all the earth will eventually do right.
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