Psalm 37 — Fret Not Because of Evildoers

If, when evil and lawless people are opposing the lowly, and you wish to admonish the latter not to pay attention or to be provoked to envy—since such evildoers will speedily be destroyed—say to yourself and to the others Psalm 37.

Athanasius, On the Interpretation of the Psalms

This is a very long psalm telling us to not worry about the evildoers who are prospering. We've been hearing this our whole lives, haven't we? From the time we've been little there always seems to be someone who's getting away with things and never getting caught. Often they are celebrated and praised. And it drives us crazy. The psalmist says that God sees all and justice will be done. If we struggle with that, then we're not the first and we're not alone. That gives us the opportunity to increase our true trust in God, which may be one of the reasons that God allows the evildoers to flourish.

Les Très Riches Heures du duc de Berry, Folio 66v - Psalm 37 (Vulgate) / 38 (Hebrew Bible)

A ton of the Church fathers have commented on this one and we'll dip into a few of them below. All are from Psalms 1-50 (Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture).

37:7 Wait Patiently for the Lord

God is in Control. Theodoret of Cyr. Even if you see one choosing wickedness and not deviating from his purpose but being borne downstream, do not be worried and concerned that no one is in control of the world. Commentary on the Psalms.

Remember God's Promise. St. Augustine. Did you believe in Christ? Yes? Then why did you believe. What did he promise you? If Christ promised you happiness in this world, then go ahead and complain against him; complain when you see the unbeliever happy. But what sort of happiness did he, in fact, promise you? Nothing else but happiness when the dead rise again. And what did he promise you in this life? Only what he went through himself; yes, I tell you, he promised you a share in his own experience. Do you disdain it, you, a servant and a disciple? Do you disdain what your master and teacher went through? Do you not recall his own words: "A servant is not greater than his master, nor a disciple above his teacher"? (Mt 10:24; Jn 13:16) for your sake he bore painful scourging, insults, the cross and death itself. And how much of this did he deserve, he a just man? And what did you, a sinner, not deserve? Keep a steady eye, and do not let it be deflected by wrath. Expositions of the Psalms.

37:12 The Wicked Plot

Conviction. Cassiodorus. When the wicked person sees the just person cultivating good manners, he believes that he himself is being particularly indicted. He gnashes his teeth and rages in mind. He at once tries to take the very life of him whose manners he cannot corrupt. Explanation of the Psalms.

37:15 Their Bows Broken

They Hurt Themselves St. Augustine. What do you think: does the scoundrel's wickedness harm you without harming himself? Of course not. How is it possible that the malice which springs form his ill will and hatred and lashes out to do you harm should not devastate him within before making its attempt outwardly on you? Hostility rides roughshod over your body; iniquity rots his soul. Whatever he launches against you recoils on him. His persecution purifies you but leaves him guilty. Who comes off worse then? ... Clearly, then, all who persecute the just are more severely damaged and more gravely wounded themselves, because in their case it is the soul itself that is laid waste. Expositions of the Psalms.

An index of psalm posts is here.