February 6, 2017: Day 37 – Psalm 37

If you look at vs. 11 I wonder if you are able to identify where in the New Testament we might find that verse.  It states simply: the meek shall inherit the earth.  Look at Matthew 5:5 and see if you  hear the same words that the psalmist states in these verses.  The meek shall inherit the earth.  So who are the meek and what earth shall they inherit?  Well, unfortunately the psalmist does not answer that question in these verses.  But when we look at the New Testament we know that the meek are those on the margins of society.  Jesus always focuses on those.

But as we continue along in the psalm he does address other issues.  This psalm is closer to Proverbs rather than Psalms.  I once heard a theologian state thay reading proverbs is like driving cross country with your mother-in-law.  I was never able to relate to that analogy since my mother-in-law was awesome and I actually did take her for a fairly long ride on my motorcycle in seminary.  I would take her advice any day if she were still living.  But you hear the psalmist say: refrain from anger, forsake wrath, don’t fret.  If you look at vs.25 and following you can hear a wizened David, or if we were looking at Proverbs a wizened Solomon.  

It is nice to be able to hear a psalm and feel the advice flow over you and lean upon the words knowing that God is guiding in such a way that if we were just to listen he would lift us up on his wings.  Allow that to happen.