Psalm 37

Psalm 37:3-4, 5-6, 23-24, 39-40

#321 Weekday Year I Context (Friday of the 3rd Week O)

R. (39a) The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.

Trust in the LORD and do good,
that you may dwell in the land and be fed in security.
Take delight in the LORD,
and he will grant you your heart’s requests.
R. The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.

Commit to the LORD your way;
trust in him, and he will act.
He will make justice dawn for you like the light;
bright as the noonday shall be your vindication.
R. The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.

By the LORD are the steps of a man made firm,
and he approves his way.
Though he fall, he does not lie prostrate,
for the hand of the LORD sustains him.
R. The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.

The salvation of the just is from the LORD;
he is their refuge in time of distress.
And the LORD helps them and delivers them;
he delivers them from the wicked and saves them,
because they take refuge in him.
R. The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Ps 37:3-4, 5-6, 23-24, 39-40

Psalm 37 is a lament containing the plea to be faithful to God, and remain steadfast in the time of adversity. The psalmist sings that the faith of the people will bring them salvation, and that the Lord is faithful and intercedes for them against the wicked. Salvation comes from the Lord alone is the common message.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Psalm 37:5-6, 30-31, 39-40

#331 Weekday Year II Context (Wednesday of the 5th Week O)

R. (30a) The mouth of the just murmurs wisdom.

Commit to the LORD your way;
trust in him, and he will act.
He will make justice dawn for you like the light;
bright as the noonday shall be your vindication.
R. The mouth of the just murmurs wisdom.

The mouth of the just man tells of wisdom
and his tongue utters what is right.
The law of his God is in his heart,
and his steps do not falter.
R. The mouth of the just murmurs wisdom.

The salvation of the just is from the LORD;
he is their refuge in time of distress.
And the LORD helps them and delivers them;
he delivers them from the wicked and saves them,
because they take refuge in him.
R. The mouth of the just murmurs wisdom.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Ps 37:5-6, 30-31, 39-40

The main thrust of  this selection of Psalm 37 is evil will pass away but God and his Law are eternal. It exhorts the listener to trust in God, and the “light” of truth will show the way of righteousness. The psalm appropriately extols the true teaching of God.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Psalm 37:3-4, 18-19, 27-28, 39-40

#342 Weekday Year I Context (Tuesday of the 7th Week O)

#387 Weekday Year I Context (Friday of the 14th Week O)
R. (39a) The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.

R. (see 5) Commit your life to the Lord, and he will help you.

Trust in the LORD and do good,
that you may dwell in the land and be fed in security.
Take delight in the LORD,
and he will grant you your heart's requests.
R. Commit your life to the Lord, and he will help you.

The LORD watches over the lives of the wholehearted;
their inheritance lasts forever.
They are not put to shame in an evil time;
in days of famine they have plenty.
R. Commit your life to the Lord, and he will help you.

Turn from evil and do good,
that you may abide forever;
For the LORD loves what is right,
and forsakes not his faithful ones.
R. Commit your life to the Lord, and he will help you.

The salvation of the just is from the LORD;
he is their refuge in time of distress.
And the LORD helps them and delivers them;
he delivers them from the wicked and saves them,
because they take refuge in him.
R. Commit your life to the Lord, and he will help you.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Ps 37:3-4, 18-19, 27-28, 39-40

This didactic selection from Psalm 37 promises the salvation of those who hear God’s voice and trust in him.  Central to this passage is the fidelity of God to those who are faithful.  Salvation for them is assured if they trust in him and take refuge in their faith. The author responds to the question: why do the wicked prosper? In these strophes, it continues the plea to be faithful to God, and remain steadfast in the time of adversity. The psalmist adds that those who turn away should return, and God will give them salvation.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Psalm 37:3-4, 5-6, 27-28, 39-40

#435 Weekdays Year II Context (Friday of the 22nd Week O)

R. (39a) The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.

Trust in the Lord and do good,
that you may dwell in the land and be fed in security.
Take delight in the Lord,
and he will grant you your heart’s requests.
R. The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.

Commit to the Lord your way;
trust in him, and he will act.
He will make justice dawn for you like the light;
bright as the noonday shall be your vindication.
R. The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.

Turn from evil and do good,
that you may abide forever;
For the Lord loves what is right,
and forsakes not his faithful ones.
Criminals are destroyed
and the posterity of the wicked is cut off.
R. The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.

The salvation of the just is from the Lord;
he is their refuge in time of distress.
And the Lord helps them and delivers them;
he delivers them from the wicked and saves them,
because they take refuge in him.
R. The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Ps 37:3-4, 5-6, 27-28, 39-40

Psalm 37, a lament, continues the plea to be faithful to God and remain steadfast in the time of adversity. The psalmist adds a call for repentance, a return to righteousness. Failure to do so brings death. But those who take refuge in the Lord, and remain steadfast in their faith, God saves.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Psalm 37:3-4, 18 and 23, 27 and 29

#492 Weekday Year II Context (Tuesday of the 32nd Week O)

R. (39a) The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.

Trust in the LORD and do good,
that you may dwell in the land and be fed in security.
Take delight in the LORD,
and he will grant you your heart’s requests.
R. The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.

The LORD watches over the lives of the wholehearted;
their inheritance lasts forever.
By the LORD are the steps of a man made firm,
and he approves his way.
R. The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.

Turn from evil and do good,
that you may abide forever;
The just shall possess the land
and dwell in it forever.
R. The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Ps 37:3-4, 18 and 23, 27 and 29

Psalm 37 is a lament containing the plea to be faithful to God, and to remain steadfast in the time of adversity. The psalmist adds that those who turn away should return, and God will give them salvation.

Referenced in the first and third strophes: “The land: the promised land, Israel, which became for later interpreters a type or figure of heaven. cf Hebrews 11:9-10, 13-16. The New Testament Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12; Luke 6:20-26) have been influenced by the psalm, especially their total reversal of the present and their interpretation of the happy future as possession of the land.”[1]

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Psalm 37:3-4, 5-6, 30-31

#518 Proper of Saints Context (St. Francis de Sales, Jan 24)

#536B Proper of Saints Context (St. Gregory Of Narek, Feb 27)

#547 Proper of Saints Context (St. Isidore, Apr 4)

#560 Proper of Saints Context (St. Athanasius, May 2)

#579 Proper of Saints Context (St. Ephrem, Jun 9)

#589 Proper of Saints Context (St. Irenaeus, Jun 28)

#672 Proper of Saints Context (St. Leo the Great, Nov 10)

#693 Proper of Saints Context (St. John of the Cross, Dec 14)

#727 Commons Context (Common of Doctors of the Church, Second Option)

R. (30a) The mouth of the just murmurs wisdom.

Trust in the LORD and do good,
that you may dwell in the land and be fed in security.
Take delight in the LORD,
and he will grant you your heart's request.
R. The mouth of the just murmurs wisdom.

Commit to the LORD your way;
trust in him, and he will act.
He will make justice dawn for you like the light;
bright as the noonday shall be your vindication.
R. The mouth of the just murmurs wisdom.

The mouth of the just tells of wisdom
and his tongue utters what is right.
The law of his God is in his heart,
and his steps do not falter.
R. The mouth of the just murmurs wisdom.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Ps 37:3-4, 5-6, 30-31

Psalm 37 is a lament containing the plea to be faithful to God and remain steadfast in the time of adversity. The psalmist sings that the faith of the people will bring them salvation, and that the Lord is faithful and intercedes for them against the wicked. The common message is that salvation comes from the Lord alone.

This selection of Psalm 37 (the main thrust or which is evil is passing but God and his law are eternal) exhorts the listener to trust in God, and the “light” of truth will show the way of righteousness. The psalm appropriately extols the true teaching of God.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fin
[1] See NAB footnote on Psalm 37:11, 22, 27, 29, 34