From the mid 80s through the mid 90s, Robin Leach hosted a show entitled, Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous. Every week millions of Americans would tune in to watch how the wealthiest people in the world spend their days. At the end of each show, Leach would wish the audience, "Champagne wishes and caviar dreams," as if to say that happiness is defined by what one eats and drinks. In recent years popular shows like MTV’s Cribs and VH1’s The Fabulous Life of have continued with the concept. People are often fascinated by and envious of those with extravagant wealth. Through this kind of exposure, the audience also discovers that many who are gifted entertainers, athletes, and business people often lack moral integrity. Because this is true, many Christians have asked the age-old question, “Why do immoral people prosper?”
In Psalm 37, David reassures those who question God's fairness. He first shows that the Lord is trustworthy. Notice several statements implied by the Psalmist. He instructs his readers to, “Fret not” (vv. 1-2), “Trust in the Lord” (v. 3), “Delight in the Lord” (v. 4), “Commit to the Lord” (vv. 5-6), and “Rest in the Lord” (vv. 7-11). Being reminded of the fact that God can be trusted should greatly console His people.
David also reminds believers that the Lord is all knowing and in control. He affirms, “The Lord knows the days of the blameless” (Psalm 37:18). God knows everything about His people including how long they will live and what will happen to them. David goes on to say, "The steps of a man are established by the Lord" (v. 23). Because God knows all, is trustworthy and in control, believers can relax knowing that no matter the circumstances, they are not without hope. According to Wiersbe, “Since God can be trusted, we should not (worry), and since God understands our situation, we should not fear” (166).
The third truth that David communicates to his reader is that God blesses His people. Instead of focusing on what one does not have, believers should be thanking God for what He has and will continue to bless them with. David explains that God meets daily needs (vv. 21-22), gives protection (vv. 23-24), will not abandon His people (vv. 25-26), and enables them to live lives that are pleasing to Him (vv. 27-29).
The final point David makes in this Psalm is that the wicked are promised God’s judgment. David says, “Mark the blameless and behold the upright, for there is a future for the man of peace. But the transgressors shall be altogether destroyed; the future of the wicked shall be cut off” (v. 37). David asserts that even though the wicked may prosper for a time it is the righteous that have a glorious future.
As a result, believers should not be envious of, but rather grieve over those who prosper and have no need for God. Although they might experience temporary happiness, they will never know lasting joy because their delight is in terrestrial luxury. Ultimate and lasting joy is found in a relationship with God and can be experienced to a certain degree today only to be maximized in the future.
Wiersbe, Warren. Psalms. The Bible Exposition Commentary: Old Testament Wisdom and Poetry. Colorado Springs: Cook Communications Ministries. 2004. 164-166.
