Lesson 261 - Senior
Memory Verse
"Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace" (Psalm 37:37).
Cross References
Contrasts in the Outlook of the Godly and the Ungodly
1. The righteous need not be vexed by the prosperity of the wicked, [PS:37:1-2], [PS:37:7-10], [PS:37:20], [PS:37:27-28], [PS:37:35-36], [PS:37:38]; [PRO:23:17].
2. The righteous are exhorted to commit their ways unto the Lord, [PS:37:3-5], [PS:37:23-24], [PS:37:27], [PS:37:34]; [1SM:2:9]; [ISA:58:14].
3. The meek shall inherit the earth, [PS:37:11], [PS:37:18], [PS:37:22], [PS:37:29], [PS:37:34].
4. The Lord shall laugh at the wicked for He seeth that judgement is coming, [PS:37:17], [PS:37:32-33]; [PS:2:4]; [JOB:38:15].
5. The righteous may have little, but they shall be satisfied in the day of famine, [PS:37:16], [PS:37:19], [PS:37:21], [PS:37:25-26]; [JOB:5:20]; [PRO:15:16]; [DEU:15:8].
6. The steps of the righteous shall not slide, [PS:37:30-31]; [DEU:6:6].
7. The wicked spreadeth himself, then passeth away and cannot be found, [PS:37:35-36]; [JOB:5:3].
8. The end of the perfect and upright man is peace, [PS:37:37-40]; [1CH:5:20]; [ISA:32:17].
Notes
This is truly an outstanding Psalm. It is a Psalm of trust. It exhorts the righteous to have faith and confidence in God. It is a genuine encouragement to all who are righteous and is also a potent warning to the unrighteous. It has been a source of comfort to countless multitudes of people who have followed God and who have therefore taken upon themselves the reproach of the Cross. It is especially valuable because it compares the present state of the godly and of the ungodly, as well as comparing their eternal reward or judgement.
In times like these in which we are now living, it is easy for even the righteous to worry or fret if they allow themselves to look at present conditions from a purely human standpoint. We need to view these distressing conditions by the eye of faith and with complete confidence in God and perfect trust in His sovereign power and care. If we really delight ourselves in the Lord we can take whatever He sends as from His hand. If it is a blessing, we can praise Him for it. If it is adversity, we can thank Him for that also, knowing it is for our good, and submit ourselves to a thorough examination to see if somewhere we have stepped aside from His will.
Our Protection by God
Resting in the Lord is abiding in the secret place of the Most High [PS:91:1];[PS:91:2]). The Holy of Holies in the Temple was covered with a cloud of God's glory; and whoever entered those sacred precincts had the protection of God. Only the high priest was allowed to enter that Holy of Holies in those days, but in this Christian dispensation all believers may enter into the very holiest by the Blood of Jesus. Therefore, we are secure when the Blood has been applied to our hearts and we have been cleansed by that Blood from all sin. Those who have been thus covered by the Blood have the only absolutely safe retreat.
The Last Days
This Psalm fits closely into the picture of the last days. Here is described the wicked as they plot against the just and cast down the poor and needy, opposing all who are of an upright conversation. Here is a real picture of the evil forces working in the world today -" the spirit of the Antichrist in the ungodly. But their time is short. The Lord will laugh at them, for He sees that their day of judgement is coming. God has said: "Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time" [REV:12:12]). But in His Word God has also said: "Yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be."
These passages of Scripture show us that the enemy of human souls will seek to overthrow the righteous. That is the aim of the atheistic, anti-Christian power that is trying to rule today. They would like to put every Christian off the face of the earth and blot the name of God out of human remembrance.
This world is now in a critical period of its history. If man were left to his own devices the human race would soon perish. The powers of evil would take absolute control if they could. But there is a restraining power in the world. It is the Spirit of God who is working in Person and also through the Bride of Christ. Thank God for the few upright people who are opposing the forces and powers of evil! They will be sustained by a Power that is stronger than the enemy of men's souls. "The LORD loveth judgement, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off."
The Wicked's Pride and Conceit
In our own time we have seen the wicked rise to power and spread themselves in arrogance and pride, speaking and sponsoring all forms of evil and immorality. We have also seen them cut down like the grass, and have seen them wither as the green herb. They have plotted against the just and gnashed on the righteous with their teeth, but their own sword has entered into their heart. Some of them have died by their own hands, in rebellion and obstinacy plunging their souls into eternity to face a just and omnipotent God.
Nebuchadnezzar, in his pride and conceit, was likened unto a tree whose height reached unto Heaven and the sight thereof to the end of the earth. He was warned, in a dream, of God's coming judgement, when he heard a watcher from Heaven cry; "Hew down the tree, and cut off his branches, shake off his leaves, and scatter his fruit" [DAN:4:14]). The man of God, Daniel, exhorted Nebuchadnezzar: "Break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor" [DAN:4:27]). But the exhortation went unheeded. Just when Nebuchadnezzar was glorying in the height of his majesty and power, there came a voice from Heaven, "The kingdom is departed from thee." The pride of Babylon withered "as the green herb."
Belshazzar knew of the judgement of God against his grandfather, Nebuchadnezzar, but he, too, failed to take warning. One night while Belshazzar was revelling in sin, a hand wrote upon the wall of the banquet hall, "God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it." "In that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain" [DAN:5:26], [DAN:5:30]). This is another example of the truth of the Word of God pronounced against the evil-doers: 'They shall soon be cut down."
Judgement
"We must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad" [2CO:5:10]). The wicked may flourish for a time upon this earth, but what about that day when he must stand before the Judge on the Throne? What will it be when the righteous Judge looks down into that man's heart and sees sin? Many sins may be covered over now; but what good, will that do in the day that "the wicked shall be turned into hell" [PS:9:17]). "Fret not thyself because of evildoers"; for their judgement is coming and "the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night" [REV:14:11]). Many people today who are trifling with the mercy of God will someday wake up to the awful fact that they are doomed to spend eternity "in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death" [REV:21:8]). How terrible are the consequences of continuing in sin when God offers pardon and eternal life to those who will walk in His ways!
The Will of God
We are urged to wait on the Lord and keep His way. Some people wait on the Lord and then go their own way. The Scripture commands us to keep God's way always and to live in the spirit of obedience.
A Hebrews scholar has told us that to wait, in the original Hebrew, implies the extension of a straight line from one point to another. He clarifies his metaphor by saying that the first point is the human heart; the straight line is the heart's desires; and the last point is God. We are sure that a line from the heart pointing straight to God, with an earnest desire to do God's whole will for Him, will keep a saint so that none of his steps will slide.
Meekness, a Godly Attribute
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus tells us that the meek shall inherit the earth. Several times in this Psalm we are told the same thing. The spirit of meekness is not the spirit of the world. Meekness is contrary to the methods and attitudes adopted by the ungodly of this world. It is contrary to the spirit of the devil. Meekness is from God, and in it there are great strength, power, and influence.
Moses was a very meek man and yet he was a forceful and successful leader, admired by all Israel. David had the spirit of true meekness and yet he was Israel's great king and leader, looked up to and respected by millions of people. Elijah had a meek spirit, not taking to himself one opportunity for earthly advantage or fame; and yet he was able, through the Spirit of God, to bring a whole nation to God on one occasion and cause members of armies and civilian individuals to abandon their plans to do harm to the people of God. "The meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace."
Other requirements are also stated. We are to depart from evil and do good. We are not only to avoid evil, but we are to be ever on the lookout to help some other soul find the path of righteousness. That is the full meaning of doing good. Merely feeding the poor or relieving the suffering, all the while allowing them to go without spiritual help and spiritual food, is not doing the real good. Good deeds proceed from a good heart.
Sustenance in Famine
David's own experience had put confidence in his soul that God would take care of His saints in times of famine. David was an old man when he wrote this Psalm. In his younger days he had gone through many trials and some very extreme privations. He had roamed on the ragged mountaintops with the coneys and wild goats, and perhaps there were many times when he saw a scarcity of food. But as David looked back upon those days he could say, "A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked."
Going through such hardships in his early life made David a rugged warrior for righteousness as well as a warrior for Israel. He was confident that if a man trusted in the Lord and did good the Lord would provide for him. His faith and confidence were so strong that he could make bold statement: "I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread." This is an everlasting principle and promise. God always " and in all ways -" provides for His own as He sees best for them.
Rules for Living
David began this Psalm with the prohibitory decree: "Fret not thyself because of evildoers." The prosperity of the wicked is short and they will soon be cut off. He stated: "Yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be."
We are given some rules of life and directions to prevent harmful worry and undue concern. We are told to "trust in the LORD," which means we are not to rely on human help. He also wrote, "Delight thyself also in the LORD." This means we will be pleased with God's ways. Next we are admonished, "Commit thy way unto the LORD." Thus it is clearly stated that we must let the Lord work out His will and way in our lives. Finally, we are to "rest in the LORD," and wait patiently for Him. God's plan is unimpeachable! God's will is perfect! God's time is best!
There is a sharp contrast drawn between the glorious inheritance of the righteous and the tragic end of the wicked. The good, upright, righteous man will have the Lord for his strength in the time of trouble; but transgressors will be destroyed, and in the end the wicked will be cut off.
"Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace."
Questions
1. What two classes of people are contrasted in this Psalm?
2. Why are we not to fret because of evildoers?
3. Describe the end of the righteous.
4. Describe the end of the wicked.
5. What is said of the meek?
6. On what condition are we promised to be fed?
7. What did David say he had never seen?