Psalms 37 provides rich advice on how to respond to evil and wickedness around us.  In the previous installment of this series (verses three and four) the psalmist spoke of how we are to live in response to evil.. He continues this train of thought in the next two verses, expanding on his admonition to trust in the Lord and do what is right–and encouraging his readers with what the wonderful end result of that trust will be. 

Vs. 5 – Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you.

Once our desires line up with God’s, we can freely and without regret, commit everything to Him. He alone has true and lasting value, wisdom, love, power. He alone offers us hope that does not disappoint. He alone can guide us and strengthen us by the power of His indwelling Holy Spirit. He is the Father from whom comes every good and perfect gift, who has given us everything we need for life and godliness (James 1:17, 2 Peter 1:3). When we commit our way and all we do to Him, knowing we are within His will, His plans and purposes for us and through us will come to pass. No one will be able to stand in His way.

Vs. 6 – He will make your innocence radiate like the dawn, and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun.

Innocence will triumph over guilt, justice will triumph over injustice, light will triumph over darkness. Despite persecution and false accusation by evil men against the godly, God will always vindicate His people. He will bring about vengeance where vengeance is due. Truth and righteousness will grow brighter and brighter just like the dawn chases away the night until the sun shines in its full brilliance. In the same way, the righteous and their cause will grow in radiance while the wicked and their schemes will fade away and vanish.

In my next blog in this series, the psalmist remarks on how not to react to the actions of the wicked. 

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.