INTRODUCTION: This psalm points to the final deliverance of Israel in the time of the future kingdom age. However, much help is given to the believers of any age. We do not need to fret. The wicked will be destroyed. The righteous will be delivered. And, in this life, God will look to those who look to Him.

1. THE DISCOVERY OF THE LORD (Psalm 37:1-8 [1] Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. [2] For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb. [3] Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. [4] Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. [5] Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. [6] And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday. [7] 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. [8] Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.
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1. In Times of Discouragement (Psalm 37:1-2 [1] Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. [2] For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.
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1. Fret not because of evil doers (Psalm 37:1Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.
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1. The word  fret  is found only 7 times (12 times in all forms) in the Bible. Three of those references are in this psalm (Psalm 37:1Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.
   See All..., 7, 8).
2. To  fret  means to eat away at something; to wear away by gnawing; to irritate, vex, or worry. The law speaks of a “fretting leprosy” in a garment (Leviticus 13:51-52 [51] And he shall look on the plague on the seventh day: if the plague be spread in the garment, either in the warp, or in the woof, or in a skin, or in any work that is made of skin; the plague is a fretting leprosy; it is unclean. [52] He shall therefore burn that garment, whether warp or woof, in woollen or in linen, or any thing of skin, wherein the plague is: for it is a fretting leprosy; it shall be burnt in the fire.
   See All...) or in a house (Leviticus 14:44Then the priest shall come and look, and, behold, if the plague be spread in the house, it is a fretting leprosy in the house; it is unclean.
   See All...). This was a leprosy that would eat away at the garment or house.
3. By application, to  fret  is to worry over something in a way that eats away at a person inwardly.
2. Envy not the workers of iniquity (Psalm 37:1Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.
   See All...; Psalm 73:3-5 [3] For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. [4] For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm. [5] They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men.
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3. Understand the end of the wicked (Psalm 37:2For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.
   See All...; 1 Peter 1:24For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:
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1. They shall soon be cut down like the grass.
2. They shall wither as the green herb.
2. By Trusting in the Lord (Psalm 37:3Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.
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1. The actions of the righteous
1. Trust in the Lord (Proverbs 3:5-6 [5] Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. [6] In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
   See All...; Isaiah 26:3-4 [3] Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. [4] Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:
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2. Do good (Psalm 37:27Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore.
   See All...; Matthew 5:44But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
   See All...; Galatians 6:10As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
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2. The blessings of the Lord
1. To dwell in the land (Deuteronomy 30:20That thou mayest love the LORD thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.
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2. To be fed
3. By Delighting in the Lord (Psalm 37:4Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
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1. Delight
1. Thyself – must be a source of personal joy
2. Also – in addition to trust
3. In the Lord – not in circumstances or earthly things
2. Desires
1. The desires of your heart
2. Given to you by the Lord; meaning that God will give us the right desires (Philippians 2:13Behold, is it not of the LORD of hosts that the people shall labour in the very fire, and the people shall weary themselves for very vanity?
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4. By Committing Our Way (Psalm 37:5-6 [5] Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. [6] And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.
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1. Commit thy way unto the Lord (Psalm 37:5Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
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2. Trust also in Him (Psalm 37:5Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
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3. He will bring His will to pass (Psalm 37:5Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
   See All...; 1 Thessalonians 5:24Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.
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4. The Lord will pour His blessings on us (Psalm 37:6And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.
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1. He will bring forth thy righteousness as the light.
2. He will bring forth thy judgment as the noonday.
5. By Resting in the Lord (Psalm 37:7Rest 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.
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1. Rest in the Lord (Matthew 11:28-30 [28] Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. [29] Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. [30] For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
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2. Wait patiently for the Lord (Psalm 27:13-14 [13] I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. [14] Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.
   See All...; Isaiah 40:31But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
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3. Fret not for the wicked who prosper.
4. Fret not for the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.
6. By Forsaking Wrath (Psalm 37:8Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.
   See All...; James 1:19-20 [19] Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: [20] For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.
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1. Cease from anger.
2. Forsake wrath.
3. Fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.
2. THE DESTRUCTION OF THE WICKED (Psalm 37:9-22 [9] For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth. [10] For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be. [11] But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. [12] The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth. [13] The LORD shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming. [14] The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, and to slay such as be of upright conversation. [15] Their sword shall enter into their own heart, and their bows shall be broken. [16] A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked. [17] For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the LORD upholdeth the righteous. [18] The LORD knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be for ever. [19] They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied. [20] But the wicked shall perish, and the enemies of the LORD shall be as the fat of lambs: they shall consume; into smoke shall they consume away. [21] The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth. [22] For such as be blessed of him shall inherit the earth; and they that be cursed of him shall be cut off.
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1. To Be Cut Off (Psalm 37:9-11 [9] For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth. [10] For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be. [11] But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.
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1. Recognize the coming judgment of the wicked (Psalm 37:9-10 [9] For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth. [10] For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be.
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1. Evildoers shall be cut off (Psalm 37:9For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth.
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2. The wicked shall not be (Psalm 37:10For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be.
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2. Consider the inheritance of the righteous (Psalm 37:9For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth.
   See All..., 11; 1 Peter 1:3-5 [3] Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, [4] To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, [5] Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
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1. They that wait upon the Lord shall inherit the earth (Psalm 37:9For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth.
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2. The meek shall (Psalm 37:11But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.
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1. Inherit the earth
2. Delight themselves in the abundance of peace
2. To Be Defeated (Psalm 37:12-17 [12] The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth. [13] The LORD shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming. [14] The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, and to slay such as be of upright conversation. [15] Their sword shall enter into their own heart, and their bows shall be broken. [16] A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked. [17] For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the LORD upholdeth the righteous.
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1. The boldness of the wicked (Psalm 37:12The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth.
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1. The wicked plotteth against the just.
2. He gnasheth upon him with his teeth.
2. The laughter of the Lord (Psalm 37:13The LORD shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming.
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1. The Lord shall laugh at the wicked.
2. For He seeth that his day is coming.
3. The defeat of the wicked (Psalm 37:14-15 [14] The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, and to slay such as be of upright conversation. [15] Their sword shall enter into their own heart, and their bows shall be broken.
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1. The wicked plot their attack (Psalm 37:14The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, and to slay such as be of upright conversation.
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2. Their wickedness shall backfire (Psalm 37:15Their sword shall enter into their own heart, and their bows shall be broken.
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4. The blessing of the righteousness (Psalm 37:16A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked.
   See All...; Proverbs 15:16-17 [16] Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith. [17] Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.
   See All...; Ecclesiastes 4:6Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit.
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5. The working of the Lord (Psalm 37:17For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the LORD upholdeth the righteous.
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1. Against the wicked – their arms shall be broken.
2. On behalf of the righteous – He shall uphold them.
3. To Be Destroyed (Psalm 37:18-22 [18] The LORD knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be for ever. [19] They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied. [20] But the wicked shall perish, and the enemies of the LORD shall be as the fat of lambs: they shall consume; into smoke shall they consume away. [21] The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth. [22] For such as be blessed of him shall inherit the earth; and they that be cursed of him shall be cut off.
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1. The preservation of the righteous (Psalm 37:18-19 [18] The LORD knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be for ever. [19] They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.
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1. Their eternal inheritance (Psalm 37:18The LORD knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be for ever.
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2. Their deliverance from evil (Psalm 37:19They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.
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1. They shall not be ashamed in the evil time.
2. They shall not be ashamed in the evil time.
2. The perishing of the wicked (Psalm 37:20But the wicked shall perish, and the enemies of the LORD shall be as the fat of lambs: they shall consume; into smoke shall they consume away.
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1. The wicked shall perish.
2. The enemies of the Lord shall be burnt up as the fat of lambs.
3. The practice of men (Psalm 37:21The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth.
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1. The wicked borrow, and pay not again.
2. The righteous give (Proverbs 11:24-26 [24] There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty. [25] The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself. [26] He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it.
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4. The provision of the Lord (Psalm 37:22For such as be blessed of him shall inherit the earth; and they that be cursed of him shall be cut off.
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1. The blessed shall inherit the earth.
2. The cursed shall be cut off.
3. THE DELIVERANCE OF THE RIGHTEOUS (Psalm 37:23-40 [23] The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. [24] Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand. [25] I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. [26] He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed. [27] Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore. [28] For the LORD loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off. [29] The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever. [30] The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment. [31] The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide. [32] The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him. [33] The LORD will not leave him in his hand, nor condemn him when he is judged. [34] Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it. [35] I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree. [36] Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found. [37] Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace. [38] But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off. [39] But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble. [40] And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him.
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1. To Be Picked Up (Psalm 37:23-24 [23] The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. [24] Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.
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1. The steps of a good man (Psalm 37:23The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.
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1. Ordered by the Lord (Psalm 119:133Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.
   See All...; Jeremiah 10:23O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.
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2. Delighted in by God (Proverbs 11:20They that are of a froward heart are abomination to the LORD: but such as are upright in their way are his delight.
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2. The stumblings of a good man (Psalm 37:24Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.
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1. Not utterly cast down (Proverbs 24:16For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.
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2. Upheld by the hand of the Lord
2. To Be Given Provision (Psalm 37:25-26 [25] I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. [26] He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed.
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1. The testimony of David (Psalm 37:25I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.
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1. Through his long life
1. I have been young.
2. And now am old
2. He has not seen the righteous forsaken (Psalm 94:14For the LORD will not cast off his people, neither will he forsake his inheritance.
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3. He has not seen God’s seed begging bread.
2. The goodness of the Lord  (Psalm 37:26He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed.
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1. He is merciful and lendeth.
2. His seed is blessed.
3. To Be Preserved (Psalm 37:27-29 [27] Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore. [28] For the LORD loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off. [29] The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever.
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1. Instructions to the righteous (Psalm 37:27Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore.
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1. Depart from evil.
2. Do good.
3. Dwell for evermore.
2. Actions of the Lord (Psalm 37:28For the LORD loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.
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1. To preserve the righteous
2. To cut off the wicked
3. Inheritance of the saints (Psalm 37:29The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever.
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1. The righteous shall inherit the land.
2. They shall dwell therein for ever.
4. To Be Protected (Psalm 37:30-33 [30] The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment. [31] The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide. [32] The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him. [33] The LORD will not leave him in his hand, nor condemn him when he is judged.
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1. The mouth of the righteous (Psalm 37:30The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment.
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1. His mouth speaketh wisdom.
2. His tongue talketh of judgment.
2. The walk of the righteous (Psalm 37:31The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide.
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1. The law of God is in his heart (Psalm 1:2But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
   See All...; Psalm 119:11Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
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2. None of his steps shall slide (Psalm 17:5Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not.
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3. The protection of the Lord (Psalm 37:32-33 [32] The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him. [33] The LORD will not leave him in his hand, nor condemn him when he is judged.
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1. The desire of the wicked (Psalm 37:32The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him.
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1. He watcheth the righteous.
2. He seeketh to slay him.
2. The intervention of the Lord (Psalm 37:33The LORD will not leave him in his hand, nor condemn him when he is judged.
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1. He will not leave the righteous in the hand of the wicked.
2. He will not condemn the righteous when he is judged.
5. To Be Given Peace (Psalm 37:34-40 [34] Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it. [35] I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree. [36] Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found. [37] Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace. [38] But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off. [39] But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble. [40] And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him.
   See All...)
1. Wait on the Lord (Psalm 37:34-36 [34] Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it. [35] I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree. [36] Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found.
   See All...).
1. Instructions for passing the time (Psalm 37:34Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.
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2. The temporary power of the wicked (Psalm 37:35I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree.
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3. The passing of the wicked (Psalm 37:36Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found.
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2. Peace as the end of the righteous (Psalm 37:37-38 [37] Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace. [38] But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off.
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3. Strength in the time of trouble (Psalm 37:39-40 [39] But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble. [40] And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him.
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CONCLUSION: The Bible is full of instruction on how the righteous should live while in the midst of a wicked people in a wicked age. Why? Because this is the lot of any believer on this side of eternity.