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Psalms 37:27-34

The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 37:27-34

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

Goodness.

We have here—

I. THAT GOODNESS IS THE TRUE AIM OF LIFE. The first thing is to have the heart made good, and then all that flow from it, in word and deed, will be good also.

"But such as are good men can give good things."

(Milton.)

II. THAT GOODNESS IS THE REAL GLORY OF LIFE. (, .) We cannot hut admire "wisdom" and "judgment;" but what gives these their sweetest savour and their highest worth is the spirit of goodness that dwells in them The glory of God is his goodness, and it is in the measure that we are like God in goodness that we are like him in glory. This glory is free to us in Christ Jesus.

III. THAT GOODNESS IS THE MOST PERMANENT POSSESSION OF LIFE. Many things stand high for a time that will be brought low; many things are counted worthy amongst men that will yet be proved worthless. There may be wicked men who hold a prominent place in the world, and are for a while the envy of many, whose greatness is after all a delusion and a lie. In the end they will be cut down like a tree, whose glory is for ever abased. But it shall be otherwise with the righteous. Goodness cannot die. It is safe amidst all changes. It stands firm in the tumult and rage of the greatest storm. It emerges purer and brighter than ever from the fires of persecution and the fury of evil men (, ). Goodness lives as an influence in the world alter death, triumphs as the power of Cod in death, and will dwell in the light of God beyond death for ever and ever.—W.F.

HOMILIES BY C. SHORT

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The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 37:1-40Psalms 37:1-40 · The Pulpit CommentaryThe good man's directory. This is a very remarkable psalm. Its theme is one throughout its entire length. Yet it is not so much drawn out consecutively as repeated proverbially. This may be partly accounted for by its a…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 37:1-40Psalms 37:1-40 · The Pulpit CommentaryEXPOSITION THIS is another of the alphabetical psalms (see above, Psalms 9:1-20; Psalms 25:1-22; and 34.), and, though more free from irregularities than the previous ones, is not altogether without them. While, general…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 37:1-40Psalms 37:1-40 · The Pulpit CommentaryTwo pictures. The psalmist says, at Psalms 37:25, "I have been young, and now am old." We may regard him therefore as speaking in this psalm with the fulness of knowledge and the confidence of ripened wisdom. His old ex…Matthew Henry on Psalms 37:21-33Psalms 37:21-33 · Matthew Henry Concise CommentaryThe Lord our God requires that we do justly, and render to all their due. It is a great sin for those that are able, to deny the payment of just debts; it is a great misery not to be able to pay them. He that is truly m…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 37:27-40Psalms 37:27-40 · The Pulpit CommentaryEvil-doers. Evil-doers are not truly objects of envy. The more closely we contemplate this, the more clearly do we see their baseness. But it is needful that we should be urged to this salutary duty. Again and again in…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 37:27Psalms 37:27 · The Pulpit CommentaryDepart from evil, and do good. The same injunction is given, in exactly the same words, in Psalms 34:14. And dwell for evermore. This is to be understood as a promise, "If thou wilt depart from evil, and do good, then t…
commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 37:1-40Two pictures. The psalmist says, at Psalms 37:25, "I have been young, and now am old." We may regard him therefore as speaking in this psalm with the fulness of knowledge and the confidence of ripened wisdom. His old ex…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 37:1-40EXPOSITION THIS is another of the alphabetical psalms (see above, Psalms 9:1-20; Psalms 25:1-22; and 34.), and, though more free from irregularities than the previous ones, is not altogether without them. While, general…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 37:1-40The good man's directory. This is a very remarkable psalm. Its theme is one throughout its entire length. Yet it is not so much drawn out consecutively as repeated proverbially. This may be partly accounted for by its a…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryMatthew Henry on Psalms 37:21-33The Lord our God requires that we do justly, and render to all their due. It is a great sin for those that are able, to deny the payment of just debts; it is a great misery not to be able to pay them. He that is truly m…Matthew HenrycommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 37:27-40Evil-doers. Evil-doers are not truly objects of envy. The more closely we contemplate this, the more clearly do we see their baseness. But it is needful that we should be urged to this salutary duty. Again and again in…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 37:27Depart from evil, and do good. The same injunction is given, in exactly the same words, in Psalms 34:14. And dwell for evermore. This is to be understood as a promise, "If thou wilt depart from evil, and do good, then t…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 37:28For the Lord loveth judgment (comp. Psalms 11:7). "Judgment"— משׁפט—is here "justice," "righteousness;" as in Psalms 33:5; Psalms 99:4; Psalms 103:6, etc. And forsaketh not his saints (see verse 25; and comp. Isaiah 41:…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 37:29The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for over (comp. Psalms 37:3, Psalms 37:9, Psalms 37:11, Psalms 37:18, Psalms 37:22, Psalms 37:28, Psalms 37:34; and Proverbs 2:21). Bishop Butler sagaciously remar…Joseph S. Exell and contributors