Heading.
A Psalm of David.
This Psalm is another one that is based on the Hebrew alphabet, with each stanza beginning with a different letter commencing at aleph, and follows a 6 6 5 5 pattern (22 letters). Exceptions are Psalms 37:28 b and 39 where in the MT a Lamed precedes the Ayin and a Waw precedes the Tau.
In the Psalm the Psalmist speaks almost as a wisdom teacher as he encourages God's people to have full trust in YHWH in the confidence that all will then finally turn out for good. If they find themselves in the midst of puzzlement and despair because the unrighteous appear to triumph let that not turn them aside from themselves trusting in YHWH and doing good. For if they do trust Him and continue to do good then they will enjoy His blessing indeed.
The Psalm split up into a number of sections:
1) The Wise Man Does Not Fret When The Unrighteous Appear To Prosper, But Rather Trusts in YHWH, Rolls His Way On Him And Rests in Him (Aleph to Waw - Psalms 37:1-11).
2) The Triumphs Of The Unrighteous Are Temporary, And For Them Retribution Will Come, While In Contrast The Righteous Have An Eternal Inheritance To Be Enjoyed Both Now And In The Future (Zayin to Lamed - Psalms 37:12-22).
3) The Reward Of The Righteous Is Sure And Abiding (Mem to Pe - Psalms 37:23-31).
4) The Contrast Between The Behaviour And Destinies Of The Righteous and The Unrighteous (Tsade to Tau - Psalms 37:32-40).