John Calvin 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)

Be silent to Jehovah. The Psalmist continues the illustration of the same doctrine, namely, that we should patiently and meekly bear those things that usually disquiet our minds. For amid innumerable sources of disquietude and conflict, there is need of no small patience.

By the analogy of silence, which often occurs in the sacred writings, he declares most aptly the nature of faith. For as our affections rise in rebellion against the will of God, so faith, restoring us to a state of humble and peaceful submission, appeases all the tumults of our hearts. By this expression, therefore, David commands us not to yield to the tumultuous passions of the soul, as the unbelieving do, nor fretfully to set ourselves in opposition to the authority of God, but rather to submit peacefully to Him, so that He may execute His work in silence.

Moreover, as the Hebrew word חול, chul, which we have rendered to wait, sometimes signifies to mourn and sometimes to wait, the word התחולל, hithcholel, in this place is understood by some as meaning to mourn moderately or to bear sorrow patiently. It might also be rendered more simply to mourn before God, so that He might be a witness of all our sorrows; for when the unbelieving give way to doubt and suspense, they rather murmur against Him than utter their complaints before Him.

However, as the other interpretation is more generally received, namely, that David is exhorting us to hope and patience, I adhere to it. The prophet Isaiah also connects hope with silence in the same sense (Isaiah 30:15).

David next repeats what he had said in the first verse: Fret not because of the man who prospereth in his way, or who brings his ways to a happy issue; nor against the man who behaveth himself wickedly, or who accomplishes his devices. Of these two interpretations of this last clause, the latter is more in accordance with the scope of the psalm.

I confess, indeed, that the word מזמות, mezimmoth, is commonly taken in a bad sense for fraud and stratagem. But as זמם, zamam, sometimes signifies in general to meditate, the nature of the Hebrew language will allow this meaning: that to execute his devices has the same meaning as to accomplish what he has purposed.

Now we see that these two things are connected: namely, to dispose his ways according to his desires, or to prosper in his way, and to accomplish his devices. It is a very great temptation to us and difficult to bear when we see fortune smiling upon the ungodly, as if God approved of their wickedness; indeed, it excites our wrath and indignation. David, therefore, not content with a short admonition, insists at some length upon this point.

The accumulation of terms in the next verse—where he lays a restraint as with a bridle upon anger, allays wrath, and assuages passion—is not superfluous. But, because it is necessary, he prescribes numerous remedies for a disease that is difficult to cure. In this way, he reminds us how easily we are provoked and how ready we are to take offense, unless we lay a powerful restraint upon our tumultuous passions and keep them under control.

And although the faithful are not able to subdue the lusts of the flesh without much trouble and labour, while the prosperity of the wicked excites their impatience, yet this repetition teaches us that we should unceasingly wrestle against them. For if we steadily persevere, we know that our endeavors will not be in vain in the end.

I differ from other commentators in the exposition of the last clause. They translate it, at least to do evil; as if David meant that we should appease our anger so that it does not lead us to do mischief. But as the particle אך, ach, which they translate at least, is often used affirmatively in Hebrew, I have no doubt that David here teaches that the offense we take at the prosperity of the wicked will inevitably lead us to sin, unless we speedily check it; as it is said in another Psalm, God will break the cords of the ungodly, lest the righteous put forth their hands unto iniquity (Psalms 125:3).