Psalm 37 is a lovely piece of poetry. It’s also a piercing look into human anxiety.

David has a problem. He can’t take his eyes off of his problems.

20 of the 40 verses in this Psalm make reference to David’s “enemies” who are “wicked”, “evildoers”, “transgressors”, “ruthless”, “cursed”, “schemers”, and “murderers”.

It’s pretty clear: David doesn’t like them.

David has good reason, he has enemies. Some desire him dead. But others are just innocent people in David’s way. (Remember Uriah?)

Psalm 37 is going to deal with all of David’s enemies, including David himself.

The other 20 verses of Psalm 37, the ones not about David’s “enemies”, deal directly with David. The main point is: “David, you’ve got the wrong desires in your heart. You’re focused on the wrong thing.”

It’s as if God is saying over and over, “Hey David, you’re over there focused on ‘those people’. Leave them up to me. Let’s talk about why you’re more focused on them than you are on me!”

In those 20 verses about David, God says:

“Trust in the LORD…”

“Delight yourself in the LORD…”

“Commit your way to the LORD…”

“Be still before the LORD…”

“Wait for the LORD…”

And a bunch of other stuff.

David’s desire? “God, deal with my problems.”

God’s reply? “I do deal with them. Now let’s deal with your desires.”

Psalm 37:4 says, delight in the LORD, and God will give you new desires.

ESV reads, “he will give you the desires of your heart”, but it could just as easily translate, “desires for your heart.” The “desires” are what God is giving. God will give David “heart-desires”.

David’s heart is operating on desires that come from David. God is offering desires that come from Him.

God is turning David’s desires, his focus, his trust, delight, and commitment back onto “the LORD”.

Why the LORD? In Psalm 37, the LORD is David’s:

“...righteousness”

“...justice”

“...inheritance”

“...abundant peace”

“...upholder”

“...blessing”

and “...salvation”

Proverbs 12:25 says, “Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.”

God gives David a good word when David’s anxieties are spiking. The Good Word is this, “David, you have a savior.”

Let that Good Word speak into your anxieties as well. And if they persist, talk to a pastor, an elder, or a good friend who will listen, then gently remind you again, “You have a savior. You have an upholder, a peace beyond understanding… You have Jesus.”

Do you know anyone who is struggling like David? Share this with them, then be willing to listen for as long as it takes.

Closing Prayer:

Dear Father in Heaven, as you revealed to David the blessed truth that the LORD is salvation, strengthen us in that same faith so that we too may have our worries calmed and desires that come from you, for there is salvation in no other name but Jesus. Amen.