Do not fret
What a remarkable Psalm we have here – Psalm 37. It begins with a command in Psalm 37:1a(NKJV) Do not fret because of evildoers, and reiterates in verse 7b Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, and once again in verse 8b, Do not fret—it only causes harm.
To fret means to be consumed by worry or anxiety. In this Psalm, David counsels us against being overly anxious about the malicious actions of others. Such worry, he observes, only brings harm.
Psalm 37:8(EXB) advises: Don’t get angry [Hold back from anger; Abandon wrath]. Don’t be ·upset [worried; angry]; it only leads to trouble [or evil].
Following his advice against fretting, David outlines a recommended approach in Psalm 37:3-7(NKJV)
Trust in the LORD, and do good – trusting God goes beyond mere emotions; it’s an intentional choice to believe in His promises, even when our feelings or external situations might suggest otherwise.
Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness – here we are encouraged to reside in the provisions of God. To dwell signifies settling, abiding, and finding rest in God’s promises.
Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart – finding true delight in the Lord means our hearts are content and fulfilled in Him alone, not in our circumstances.
Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass. He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, And your justice as the noonday. – this implies that when we genuinely surrender our paths to Him, He moulds us in His righteousness.
Rest in the LORD, – in the original Hebrew, this rest suggests a state of peace, stillness, and calm in God’s presence.
and wait patiently for Him; – although waiting can induce anxiety, Psalm 37 encourages us to remain in the Lord and await Him patiently, emphasising trust over worry.
To sum it all up, Philippians 4:6-7(MSG) beautifully states: Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.