SOME WISDOM FROM PSALM 37

Psalm 37:23 Adonai directs a person’s steps, and he delights in his way. 24 He may stumble, but he won’t fall headlong, for Adonai holds him by the hand. 25 I have been young; now I am old; yet not once have I seen the righteous abandoned or his descendants begging for bread. 26 All day long he is generous and lends, and his descendants are blessed. 27 If you turn from evil and do good, you will live safely forever. 28 For Adonai loves justice and will not abandon his faithful; they are preserved forever. But the descendants of the wicked will be cut off.

NOTE THAT THE WAY TO PLEASE ADONAI is to learn to recognize and ponder some key words while reading and studying His Word.

Here’s what I mean:

(POINT 1)   "not once have I seen the righteous abandoned"...

WHO are the "righteous" and how can we learn and KNOW that we are "righteous?" (See Isaiah 33:15-17; Ezekiel 18:5-9; Proverbs 2:5-20; Matthew 5:20; Romans 8:4-6; Psalm 15:1-5 and 33:18–22; 2 Corinthians 5:21; and the entire Book of Leviticus.)

(POINT 2)  "if you turn from evil and do good, you will live safely forever...”

HOW do you know exactly what God considers "evil"; and what needs to be accomplished in order to be considered "good?" (Read Exodus 20:6 and 20; Deut. 11:1; Romans 6:23, 12:1-21 and 19-21; John 15:10; 1 John 5:2-4;)

God warns us in Proverbs 4:2 - "I give you good instruction: Do not forsake my Torah."

This is reiterated in the “New Testament”:

“And by this we know that we love the children of Elohim, when we love Elohim and follow his commandments. For this is the love of Elohim, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not burdensome. Because, whoever is born of Elohim overcomes the world: and this is the victory that overcomes the world, our faith" (1 John 5:2-4).

"Only take great care to obey the mitzvah and the Torah which Moshe the servant of ADONAI gave you - to love ADONAI your God, follow all his ways, observe his mitzvot, cling to him, and serve him with all your heart and being." (Joshua 22:5). He declared "...as for me and my house, we will serve YHWH."  (Joshua 24:15).

(POINT 3) "(He) will not abandon his faithful; they are preserved forever"

WHAT does "faithful" mean; and who are the faithful?

The dictionary definition describes “faithful” as: “steadfast in affection or allegiance : LOYAL; firm in adherence to promises or in observance of duty : CONSCIENTIOUS.”

Simply put, the “Faithful” are those who truly love God enough to adhere to His commandments and seek His Will in their daily walk!  GOD keeps His promises to us; but we humans tend to veer whenever we find it “inconvenient” to remember HIS Divine, clearly outlined Instruction in Righteousness…

Titus 3: 8. Faithful is the Word: and in these things I would have you also establish them; so that they, who have believed in Elohim, may be careful to cultivate good works: these are the things which are good and profitable to men. 9. But foolish questions and stories of genealogies and the disputes and contests of the scribes, avoid: for there is no profit in them and they are vain. 10. An heretical man, after you have instructed him once and then again, avoid: 11. and know that such a man is perverse and sinful, and self-condemned.

(POINT 4)   "But the descendants of the wicked will be cut off."

WHAT is God’s definition of "wicked?"

First, the dictionary definition defines it as: “Evil, fierce, ferocious, roguish, vile; disposed to or marked by mischief; disgustingly unpleasant; causing or likely to cause harm, distress, or trouble.

Obviously, believers are NOT to take part in ANY kind of wickedness!  As a matter of fact, YHWH's people are NOT to associate with the wicked, AND WARN anyone who associates with the wicked! 

Mishpocah/family/friends -  these things you’ve just read should NEVER be ignored or taken lightly!

Ezekiel 3:18 If I say to a wicked person, 'You will certainly die'; and you fail to warn him, to speak and warn the wicked person to leave his wicked way and save his life; then that wicked person will die guilty; and I will hold you responsible for his death. 19 On the other hand, if you warn the wicked person, and he doesn't turn from his wickedness or his wicked way, then he will still die guilty; but you will have saved your own life. (CJB)

20 Similarly, when a righteous person turns away from his righteousness and commits wickedness, I will place a stumblingblock before him - he will die; because you failed to warn him, he will die in his sin; his righteous acts which he did will not be remembered; and I will hold you responsible for his death. 21 But if you warn the righteous person that a righteous person should not sin, and he doesn't sin; then he will certainly live, because he took the warning; and you too will have saved your life." (CJB)

Romans 1: 28. And as they did not determine with themselves to know Elohim, Elohim gave them over to a vain mind; that they might do what they should not. 29. Being full of all iniquity and lewdness, and bitterness and malice, and covetousness and envy, and slaughter and strife, and deceit and evil machinations 30. And backbiting and slander; and being haters of Elohim, scoffers, proud, vain-glorious, devisers of evil things, destitute of reason, disregardful of parents. 31. And to whom a covenant is nothing, neither affection, nor peace, and in whom is no compassion. (AENT)

32. These, while they know the judgment of Elohim, that he condemns those to death who perpetrate such things, are not only doers of them, but the companions of such as do them.  (AENT)

So, as you can see by the above, actual STUDY of Scripture is both imperative and enlightening, leading to a closer relationship with our amazing Creator!

My prayer for all my family and friends is that YHWH would open the spiritual eyes of all those who are truly seeking HIS Truth. May you all develop a never-ending hunger for HIS Word so that you will ultimately get to hear the words, "Well done, good and faithful servant!"