Psalm 37:10
Yet a little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found.
A little while
This phrase suggests a temporary period, emphasizing the transient nature of the current world order. In the Hebrew text, the word used is "מְעַט" (me'at), which conveys brevity and insignificance in terms of time. This reflects a common biblical theme that the trials and tribulations of the present age are fleeting compared to the eternal promises of God. Historically, this has been a source of comfort for believers facing persecution or hardship, reminding them that God's justice will ultimately prevail.

and the wicked will be no more
The term "wicked" in Hebrew is "רָשָׁע" (rasha), referring to those who are morally wrong or guilty of sin. The phrase "will be no more" underscores the ultimate fate of the wicked, which is complete removal or annihilation. This is consistent with the biblical narrative that God will judge the wicked and establish His righteous kingdom. The assurance that the wicked will not endure is a recurring theme in the Psalms, providing hope and encouragement to the faithful.

Though you look for them
This phrase implies an active search or expectation to find the wicked. The Hebrew verb "בָּקַשׁ" (baqash) means to seek or search diligently. This suggests that there may be a time when the wicked seem prevalent or dominant, but their eventual disappearance will be so complete that even a diligent search will not reveal them. This serves as a reminder of the futility of wickedness and the certainty of God's justice.

they will not be found
The finality of this statement is emphasized by the Hebrew verb "מָצָא" (matsa), meaning to find or discover. The complete absence of the wicked is assured, reinforcing the idea that their power and influence are temporary. This aligns with the biblical promise of a new heaven and a new earth where righteousness dwells, as seen in Revelation 21. The certainty of this outcome encourages believers to remain steadfast in their faith, knowing that God's justice will ultimately prevail.

Persons / Places / Events
1. David
The author of Psalm 37, King David, is reflecting on the fate of the wicked versus the righteous. His life experiences, including his time as a shepherd, warrior, and king, provide a rich backdrop for his insights into God's justice.

2. The Wicked
This term refers to those who live in opposition to God's ways. In the context of Psalm 37, the wicked are those who seem to prosper temporarily but ultimately face God's judgment.

3. The Righteous
Although not directly mentioned in verse 10, the righteous are implied as the contrast to the wicked. They are those who follow God's commands and trust in His justice.

4. The Land
While not explicitly mentioned in this verse, the land is a recurring theme in Psalm 37, symbolizing God's promise and blessing to the righteous.

5. Judgment
The event of divine judgment is implied, where the wicked will be no more, highlighting the temporary nature of their success.
Teaching Points
The Temporary Nature of Wickedness
The wicked may seem to prosper, but their success is fleeting. Trust in God's timing and justice.

God's Sovereignty and Justice
God is in control, and His justice will prevail. We can find peace in knowing that the wicked will not endure.

Focus on Righteous Living
Instead of envying the wicked, focus on living a life that honors God, trusting in His promises.

Patience in God's Timing
"A little while" reminds us to be patient and wait on God's perfect timing for justice and vindication.

Hope in God's Promises
The assurance that the wicked will be no more gives us hope and encourages us to remain steadfast in our faith.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does understanding the temporary nature of the wicked's success change your perspective on current events or personal challenges?

2. In what ways can you actively focus on living a righteous life amidst a world that often seems to reward wickedness?

3. How does the promise of God's ultimate justice provide comfort in times of personal or societal injustice?

4. Reflect on a time when you had to wait on God's timing. How did that experience strengthen your faith?

5. How can you encourage others who may be struggling with the apparent success of the wicked, using the truths found in Psalm 37:10?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Psalm 1
This psalm contrasts the way of the righteous and the wicked, similar to Psalm 37, emphasizing the ultimate downfall of the wicked.

Proverbs 24:19-20
These verses echo the theme of not fretting over the wicked, as their lamp will be snuffed out, reinforcing the temporary nature of their prosperity.

Matthew 5:5
Jesus' teaching on the meek inheriting the earth connects to the theme of the righteous ultimately receiving God's promises.
DiscontentJ. Parker, D. D.Psalm 37:1-12
Fret NotT. Spurgeon.Psalm 37:1-12
Fretful EnvyHomilistPsalm 37:1-12
FrettingJohn Cox.Psalm 37:1-12
FrettingJ. Scilley.Psalm 37:1-12
The Cure for CareJ. H. Jowett, M. A.Psalm 37:1-12
The Good Man's DirectoryC. Clemance Psalm 37:1-40
Two PicturesW. Forsyth Psalm 37:1-40
Christian Resting and UnitingS. T. Huntingdon, D. D.Psalm 37:7-11
Christian Resting and UnitingS. T. Huntingdon, D. D.Psalm 37:7-11
Confidence in GodC. Short Psalm 37:7-11
Patient Waiting Upon GodJ. Jenkyn Brown.Psalm 37:7-11
Rest for the TroubledM. Wilcox.Psalm 37:7-11
Rest for the TroubledR. M. Wilcox.Psalm 37:7-11
Rest in the LordH. Reynolds, D. D.Psalm 37:7-11
Rest in the LordPsalm 37:7-11
Rest in the LordJ. S. Maver, M. A.Psalm 37:7-11
Resting and WaitingG. L. Jarman.Psalm 37:7-11
Resting in the LordJ. Bailey, Ph. D.Psalm 37:7-11
Resting in the LordJ. Bailey, Ph. D.Psalm 37:7-11
Silent and Patient Waiting for the LordH. O. Crofts, D. D.Psalm 37:7-11
Stillness in GodBishop S. Wilberforce.Psalm 37:7-11
The Believer's RestPsalm 37:7-11
The Folly of Fretful Envy of the WickedHomilistPsalm 37:7-11
The Gate to the Waiting-PlaceMarch: R. Vincent, D. D.Psalm 37:7-11
The Good Man in TroubleT. Binnecy.Psalm 37:7-11
The Prosperity of the Wicked ConsideredJ. Roe, M. A.Psalm 37:7-11
Waiting Upon GodT. Binney.Psalm 37:7-11
Waiting Upon GodTrevor H. Davies.Psalm 37:7-11
Christian MeeknessH. Melvill, B. D.Psalm 37:10-11
The Character and Blessedness of the MeekS. Knight, M. A.Psalm 37:10-11
People
David, Psalmist
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Carefully, Consider, Considered, Considerest, Diligently, Evil-doer, Hast, Isn't, Searching, Short, Though, Wicked, Yea, Yes, Yet
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Psalm 37:9-11

     5890   insecurity

Library
November 13. "Delight Thyself in the Lord" (Ps. xxxvii. 4).
"Delight thyself in the Lord" (Ps. xxxvii. 4). Daniel's heart was filled with God's love for His work and kingdom and his prayers were the mightiest forces of his time, through which God gave to him the restoration of Israel to their own land, and the acknowledgment by the rulers of the world of the God of whom he testified and for whom he lived. There is a beautiful promise in the thirty-seventh Psalm, "Delight thyself in the Lord, and He will give thee the desires of thine heart," which it is,
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

April 11. "Commit Thy Way unto the Lord" (Ps. xxxvii. 5).
"Commit thy way unto the Lord" (Ps. xxxvii. 5). Seldom have we heard a better definition of faith than was given once in one of our meetings by a dear old colored woman, as she answered the question of a young man how to take the Lord for needed help. In her characteristic way, pointing her finger toward him, she said with great emphasis: "You've just got to believe that He's done it, and it's done." The great danger with most of us is, that after we ask Him to do it, we do not believe that it's
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

April 19. "Rest in the Lord and Wait Patiently for Him" (Ps. xxxvii. 7).
"Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him" (Ps. xxxvii. 7). It is a very suggestive thought that it is in the Gospel of Mark, which is the Gospel of service, we hear the Master saying to His disciples, "Come ye apart into a desert place, and rest awhile." God wants rested workers. There is an energy that may be tireless and ceaseless, and yet still as the ocean's depth, with the peace of God, which passes all understanding. The two deepest secrets of rest are, first, to be in harmony with the
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

April 24. "Fret not Thyself in any Wise" (Ps. xxxvii. 8).
"Fret not thyself in any wise" (Ps. xxxvii. 8). A life was lost in Israel because a pair of human hands were laid unbidden upon the ark of God. They were placed upon it with the best intent to steady it when trembling and shaking as the oxen drew it along the rough way, but they touched God's work presumptuously, and they fell paralyzed and lifeless. Much of the life of faith consists in letting things alone. If we wholly trust an interest to God we can keep our hands off it, and He will guard it
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

February 5. "Rest in the Lord" (Ps. xxxvii. ).
"Rest in the Lord" (Ps. xxxvii.). In the old creation the week began with work and ended with Sabbath rest. The resurrection week begins with the first day--first rest, then labor. So we must first cease from our own works as God did from His, and enter into His rest, and then we will work, with rested hearts, His works with effectual power. But why "labor to enter into rest"? See that ship--how restfully she sails over the waters, her sails swelling with the gale; and borne without an effort! And
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

The Secret of Tranquillity
'Delight thyself also in the Lord, and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart 5. Commit thy way unto the Lord.... 7. Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him.'--PSALM xxxvii. 4, 5, 7. 'I have been young, and now am old,' says the writer of this psalm. Its whole tone speaks the ripened wisdom and autumnal calm of age. The dim eyes have seen and survived so much, that it seems scarcely worth while to be agitated by what ceases so soon. He has known so many bad men blasted in all their leafy
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Heart's Desire Given to Help Mission Work in China.
"Sept. 30 [1869].--From Yorkshire L50.--Received also One Thousand Pounds to-day for the Lord's work in China. About this donation it is especially to be noticed, that for months it had been my earnest desire to do more than ever for Mission Work in China, and I had already taken steps to carry out this desire, when this donation of One Thousand Pounds came to hand. This precious answer to prayer for means should be a particular encouragement to all who are engaged in the Lord's work, and who may
George Müller—Answers to Prayer

Of the Zealous Amendment of Our Whole Life
Be thou watchful and diligent in God's service, and bethink thee often why thou hast renounced the world. Was it not that thou mightest live to God and become a spiritual man? Be zealous, therefore, for thy spiritual profit, for thou shalt receive shortly the reward of thy labours, and neither fear nor sorrow shall come any more into thy borders. Now shalt thou labour a little, and thou shalt find great rest, yea everlasting joy. If thou shalt remain faithful and zealous in labour, doubt not
Thomas A Kempis—Imitation of Christ

Of the Inward Growth of Patience, and of the Struggle against Evil Desires
O Lord God, I see that patience is very necessary unto me; for many things in this life fall out contrary. For howsoever I may have contrived for my peace, my life cannot go on without strife and trouble. 2. "Thou speakest truly, My Son. For I will not that thou seek such a peace as is without trials, and knoweth no adversities; but rather that thou shouldest judge thyself to have found peace, when thou art tried with manifold tribulations, and proved by many adversities. If thou shalt say that
Thomas A Kempis—Imitation of Christ

Columban.
THE wild districts of Ireland were occupied with convents, after the example of Patrick, and cultivated by the hard labour of the monks. The Irish convents were distinguished by their strict Christian discipline, their diligence and their zeal in the study of the Scriptures, and of science in general, as far as they had the means of acquiring it. Irish monks brought learning from Britain and Gaul, they treasured up this learning and elaborated it in the solitude of the convent, and they are said
Augustus Neander—Light in the Dark Places

The Fourth Continental Journey.
1842-3. In the journey which now lay before them, John and Martha Yeardley were about to explore a part of Europe hitherto untried,--the province of Languedoc, conspicuous in past ages for its superior enlightenment, but now, owing to the temporary mastery of error, wrapt in ignorance and gloom. In this mission, the opportunities which they found for reviving and gathering together the scattered embers of truth, were nearly confined to social intercourse; in seeking occasions for which, they availed
John Yeardley—Memoir and Diary of John Yeardley, Minister of the Gospel

Christian Devotion to God's Will.
I into God's own heart and mind My heart and mind deliver, What evil seems, a gain I find, E'en death is life for ever. I am His son, Who spread the throne Of heaven high above me. Tho' I bend low Beneath His blow, Yet still His heart doth love me. He ne'er can prove untrue to me, My Father aye must love me, And tho' He cast me in the sea, He only thus would prove me; In what He good Doth count, He would My heart establish ever. And if I stand, His mighty hand Will raise me, and deliver. Vain had
Paul Gerhardt—Paul GerhardtÆs Spiritual Songs

Biographical Sketch.
Paul Gerhardt was born in Graefenhainichen in Electoral Saxony, where his father, Christian Gerhardt, was Burgomaster. There is some doubt as to the precise year of his birth, owing to the destruction of the church books when the place was burnt by the Swedes on the 16th of April, 1637. According to some, the event took place in the year 1606; according to others, in 1607. The probability is in favour of the former date, for General Superintendent Goltlob Stolze, of Luebben,[1] says that he died,
Paul Gerhardt—Paul GerhardtÆs Spiritual Songs

The Exile.
David's first years at the court of Saul in Gibeah do not appear to have produced any psalms which still survive. "The sweetest songs are those Which tell of saddest thought." It was natural, then, that a period full of novelty and of prosperous activity, very unlike the quiet days at Bethlehem, should rather accumulate materials for future use than be fruitful in actual production. The old life shut to behind him for ever, like some enchanted door in a hill-side, and an unexplored land lay beckoning
Alexander Maclaren—The Life of David

A Condensed Guide for Life
'My son, if thine heart be wise, my heart shall rejoice, even mine. 16. Yea, my reins shall rejoice, when thy lips speak right things. 17. Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the Lord all the day long. 18. For surely there is an end; and thine expectation shall not be cut off. 19. Hear thou, my son, and be wise, and guide thine heart in the way. 20. Be not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh: 21. For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Fret not Thyself
To fret means to chafe, to be irritated, to be uneasy, to be troubled and bothered. It is just the opposite of peaceful, trustful rest. Jesus has promised us rest to our souls, and we may have this rest. We can not have it, however, if we give place to worrying and fretting. God's purpose for us is that we shall have calmness and soul-quietness, even in the midst of tribulation. He has said, "My peace I give unto you." He followed this by saying, "Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be
Charles Wesley Naylor—Heart Talks

Grace and Holiness.
"Now God Himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you. And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you: To the end He may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints."--1 THESS. iii. 11-13. There are few more precious subjects for meditation and imitation than the prayers and intercessions of the great Apostle.
W. H. Griffith Thomas—The Prayers of St. Paul

The Perfect Heart.
For the eyes of the Lord ran to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew Himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward Him--2 CHRON. xvi. 9. This passage occurs in the history of Asa, one of the most godly and devoted kings that ever sat upon the throne of Judah. We are told in the fourteenth chapter that he commenced his reign by setting himself to destroy the idolatry into which the whole nation had been betrayed by its former ruler, and to restore the worship and service
Catherine Booth—Godliness

Exegetic.
(i) As of the De Spiritu Sancto, so of the Hexæmeron, no further account need be given here. It may, however, be noted that the Ninth Homily ends abruptly, and the latter, and apparently more important, portion of the subject is treated of at less length than the former. Jerome [472] and Cassiodorus [473] speak of nine homilies only on the creation. Socrates [474] says the Hexæmeron was completed by Gregory of Nyssa. Three orations are published among Basil's works, two on the creation
Basil—Basil: Letters and Select Works

Love
The rule of obedience being the moral law, comprehended in the Ten Commandments, the next question is: What is the sum of the Ten Commandments? The sum of the Ten Commandments is, to love the Lord our God with all our heart, with all our soul, with all our strength, and with all our mind, and our neighbour as ourselves. Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.' Deut 6: 5. The duty called for is love, yea, the strength of love, with all
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

"Nunc Dimittis"
We shall note, this morning, first, that every believer may be assured of departing in peace; but that, secondly, some believers feel a special readiness to depart now: "Now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace;" and, thirdly, that there are words of encouragement to produce in us the like readiness: "according to thy word." There are words of Holy Writ which afford richest consolation in prospect of departure. I. First, then, let us start with the great general principle, which is full of comfort;
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 17: 1871

Another Wonderful Record of 25.
A Christian minister, living in Northern Indiana, was in want, and knelt in prayer again and again before his Father in heaven. His quarterly allowance had been withheld, and want stared him in the face. Constrained by urgent need, and shut up to God for help, he pleaded repeatedly for a supply of his temporal wants. Now see how extraordinary was the plan of the Lord to send relief. "In one of the lovely homes of Massachusetts, while the snow was falling and the winds were howling without, a lady
Various—The Wonders of Prayer

Introduction. These Two Books were Written against the Novatian Heresy...
These two books were written against the Novatian heresy, which took its name, and to a considerable extent its form, from Novatus, a priest of the Church of Carthage, and Novatian, schismatically consecrated bishop at Rome. It was the outcome of a struggle which had long existed in the Church upon the question of the restitution to Church privileges of those who had fallen into grievous sin, and the possibility of their repentance. The severest ground was taken by the Novatians, who were condemned
St. Ambrose—Works and Letters of St. Ambrose

Thou Shalt not Steal.
This Commandment also has a work, which embraces very many good works, and is opposed to many vices, and is called in German Mildigkeit, "benevolence;" which is a work ready to help and serve every one with one's goods. And it fights not only against theft and robbery, but against all stinting in temporal goods which men may practise toward one another: such as greed, usury, overcharging and plating wares that sell as solid, counterfeit wares, short measures and weights, and who could tell all the
Dr. Martin Luther—A Treatise on Good Works

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