Albert Barnes Commentary Psalms 37:7

"Rest in Jehovah, 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." — Psalms 37:7 (ASV)

Rest in the Lord - Margin, “Be silent to the Lord.” The Hebrew word means to be mute, silent, still (Job 29:21; Leviticus 10:3; Lamentations 3:28). Therefore, to be silent toward anyone means to listen to them in silence. And the idea in the phrase here, “be silent to Jehovah,” is that of waiting in silent patience or confidence for His interposition—or, in other words, of leaving the whole matter with Him without being anxious about the result.

And wait patiently for Him - For His bringing the matter to a proper resolution. He may seem to delay long; it may appear strange that He does not interpose. You may wonder that He should allow an innocent person to be accused and calumniated in this way; however, you are not to be anxious and troubled. God does not always interpose on behalf of the innocent at once. There may be valuable purposes He aims to accomplish for you—in the discipline of your own spirit; in bringing out in your case the graces of gentleness, patience, and forgiveness; and in leading you to examine yourself and to understand your own character—which may make it proper that He should not interpose immediately.

Furthermore, however important the matter seems to us, it does not carry the same weight of urgency for God; “nullum tempus occurrit” (as the lawyers say) applies to Him. More important results may be secured by delay than would be gained by an immediate interposition in correcting the evil and redressing the wrong. All that the promise implies is that justice will be done—though whether sooner or later must be left to Him—and that our character will be finally safe in His hands.

Fret not yourself - See the notes at Psalms 37:1.

Because of him who prospers in his way - Because a wicked man has a prosperous life, or is not at once dealt with as he deserves.

Because of the man who brings wicked devices to pass - Because the man is allowed to accomplish his purposes of wickedness, or is not arrested at once in his schemes of guilt.