Praying the Psalms with Augustine and Friends

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Praying the Psalms with Augustine and Friends

Psalm 37 with Augustine – The Apparent Success of theWicked

Christians, you are disturbed when you see people with bad lives prospering, and surrounded with abundance of things. You see them sound in health, distinguished with honors, their family unvisited by misfortune, the happiness of their relatives, their influence, their life uninterrupted by any sad event, their external resources most affluent. Your heart says that there is no divine judgment, that all things happen at random. For if God regarded human affairs, would his iniquity flourish, and my innocence suffer? Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away (vv. 1–2). That which to you seems long, is soon in the sight of God. Conform yourself to God; and it will be soon to you. That which he here calls grass occupies only the surface of the ground; it has no depth of root. In the winter it is green; but when the summer sun begins to scorch, it will wither away. For now it is winter. Your glory does not yet appear. But if your love has deep roots, like trees during winter, then when the frost passes away, the summer (that is, the day of judgment) will come and the green grass will wither away. Then the glory of the trees will appear. What should you do then? Trust in the LORD (v. 3). For they too trust, but not in the Lord. Their hope is short- lived, frail, fleeting. Trust in the LORD and do good . Do not do that evil which you see in those men, who are prosperous in wickedness. . . . And you will enjoy safe pasture . What are the riches of that land? Her riches are her Lord! Her riches are her God! It is said to him, “LORD, you alone are my portion and my cup” (Ps 16:5).