PSALM 37:7-8 - Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.

Psalm 37 is simply titled A Psalm of David. In verse 25 it tells us that it is David in his older years, giving wisdom in the pattern of a song. This psalm is roughly acrostic in arrangement, with the lines arranged with Hebrew sentences that begin with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet. In style this is a wisdom psalm, directed not to God but to man, teaching after the manner of the Book of Proverbs.

In verses 3 and 4 we are told to trust in the LORD, and do good: Instead of worrying and envying, David counseled the man or woman of God to simply trust God and do good for His glory. It is remarkable how quickly we can get distracted from the simple work of trusting God and doing good. Looking at the seeming prosperity of the wicked is one way we are often distracted. David advised the man or woman of God to replace worry and envy with a conscious delight in the LORD. This means to cheer one's heart and mind by considering and by faith receiving the multiple blessings of God. David goes on to say, "And He shall give you the desires of your heart:" This is a wonderful and even safe promise. The one who truly delights in the LORD will find his heart and desires changed, steadily aligning with God's own good desires for his life. Thus, we see that finding delight in God is a key to a happy, satisfied life.

In the following verse David says, Commit your way to the LORD, trust also in Him: Here David explained what it means to delight one's self in the LORD, as described in the previous verse. It means to commit one's way to Him and to truly trust in the LORD. It means to find peace, protection, and satisfaction in a surrendered focus upon God.

This brings us to our memory verse - Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him: Because God has promised to faithfully take care of those who put their trust in Him, we can rest in the LORD. We can wait patiently for Him instead of fretting and fearing that God has forgotten us or intends evil for us. Rest in the LORD speaks of a particular kind of rest - the rest of silence, ceasing from words of self-defense. The idea is that we will not speak to vindicate ourselves; we will trust in God to protect us. Cease from anger and forsake wrath; do not fret - it only causes harm: David wisely advised the man or woman of God to give up anger, wrath, and worry (fret). They accomplish nothing except harm. They are the opposite of delighting oneself in the LORD and patiently waiting upon Him.

Throughout this Psalm, David reminds us about the importance of waiting upon the Lord. In order to do this, we must be still and listen - set aside the world and be present with Him. "Be still and know that I am God."