Message Notes

INTRODUCTION

1. General Contrast

a) The Wicked and the Upright

b) This is found in Psalm 37

2. Specific Contrast

a) There is also a specific set of contrasts noted in Psalm 37

b) Some aspects were carefully noted

INHERITING THE EARTH

9 For evildoers shall be cut off;
But those who wait on the LORD,
They shall inherit the earth.

10 For yet a little while and the wicked shall be no more;
Indeed, you will look carefully for his place,
But it shall be no more.

11 But the meek shall inherit the earth,
And shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.   Psalm 37:9-11

1. The Evildoers/ The Wicked

a) They think that they will inherit the earth

b) They have “the means”

i) The wealth

ii) The power

iii) The wherewithal to purchase property

c) But the reality is quite different

i) They are “cut off”   (Psalm 37:9a)

ii) They will be “no more”   (Psalm 37:10a)

iii) Life is in the power of God!

2. The Meek

a) They wait on the LORD   (Psalm 37:9b)

b) They delight in the
abundance of peace   (Psalm 37:11b)

c) They shall inherit the earth   (Psalm 37:9c, 11a)

UPHOLDING OF THE RIGHTEOUS

12 The wicked plots against the just,
And gnashes at him with his teeth.

13 The Lord laughs at him,
For He sees that his day is coming.

14 The wicked have drawn the sword
And have bent their bow,
To cast down the poor and needy,
To slay those who are of upright conduct.

15 Their sword shall enter their own heart,
And their bows shall be broken.

16 A little that a righteous man has
Is better than the riches of many wicked.

17 For the arms of the wicked shall be broken,
But the LORD upholds the righteous.   Psalm 37:12-17

1. The Plots of the Wicked

a) He plots against the righteous   (Psalm 37:12a)

b) He gnashes at them   (Psalm 37:12b)

c) He takes up weapons against the poor and needy   (Psalm 37:14a)

i) Sword

ii) Bow

d) He seeks to slay the righteous   (Psalm 37:14c)

2. The Reality

a) Their plots fail

b) They harm themselves

c) The arms of the wicked shall be broken   (Psalm 37:17a)

3. The LORD’s Perspective and Plan

a) He laughs at the wicked   (Psalm 37:13a)

b) He sees their day of reckoning   (Psalm 37:13b)

4. He blesses the Righteous

a) He upholds the righteous   (Psalm 37:17b)

b) The righteous may not have much

c) But the little he has is better than the riches of the wicked   (Psalm 37:16)

BLESSING AND CURSING

18 The LORD knows the days of the upright,
And their inheritance shall be forever.

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,
Like the splendour of the meadows, shall vanish.
Into smoke they shall vanish away.

21 The wicked borrows and does not repay,
But the righteous shows mercy and gives.

22 For those blessed by Him shall inherit the earth,
But those cursed by Him shall be cut off.

23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD,
And He delights in his way.

24 Though he (may) fall, he shall not be utterly cast down;
For the LORD upholds him with His hand.   Psalm 37:18-24

1. The Wicked

a) They are called “the enemies of the LORD”   (Psalm 37:20b)

b) They will perish   (Psalm 37:20a)

c) They will vanish

i) Like the meadows   (Psalm 37:20c)

ii) Into smoke   (Psalm 37:20d)

d) They borrow but do not repay   (Psalm 37:21a)

e) They are accursed   (Psalm 37:22b)

2. The upright

a) He is called “the righteous”   (Psalm 37:21b)

b) He is also called “the good man” (Psalm 37:23a)

3. God’s blessings

a) God knows his days   (Psalm 37:18a)

b) He is blessed with an everlasting inheritance   (Psalm 37:18b)

c) God will provide for him in the evil times   (Psalm 37:19)

d) They will inherit the earth   (Psalm 37:22a)

e) God orders his steps   (Psalm 37:23a)

f) He delights in his way   (Psalm 37:23b)

g) He may stumble and fall
But God upholds him   (Psalm 37:24)

CONCLUSION

1. The challenge

a) To choose the way of the upright

b) To choose to draw closer to the Lord

2. The blessings of the Lord

a) To await His blessings

b) To bless the LORD for His goodness