Psalm 37:4 ESV Context
David wrote Psalm 37 as an acrostic poem; that is, each stanza of this song begins with a letter of the Hebrew alphabet. It’s important to note that it is a teaching psalm, directed at man, not God.
Perhaps this style was used as a memorization tool, something easy to recall in one’s own heart when remembering the Lord’s ways.
Psalm 37:4 ESV meaning and explanation
Psalm 37:4 ESV delight yourself in the Lord meaning
Psalm 37:4 ESV Meaning
In the first third of Psalm 37, David is offering counsel and encouragement for the afflicted people of God.
He is answering the problem of evil in the world and specifically addressing the idea that evildoers seem to flourish.
It is a common thing for the righteous to become anxious when we see evil prosper. Those who have followed the Lord are indeed familiar with the sting of watching unbelievers appear to be happy in their sins.
“Why is that?” we ask ourselves. While we, who are committed to obedience, wait to feed on his faithfulness, the unrighteous seem to succeed.
Psalm 37:4 ESV Bible verse about desires of your heart
Psalm 37:4 ESV Application
The verses just before this one tell us that the wrongdoers will fade and wither like grass. Their satisfaction is temporary just as man’s life is temporary. It is God who is eternal and who offers eternal life.
This long-term view is an important concept to keep in mind. We don’t live to satisfy our earthly desires; we live to follow our Father, who provides for our needs and wants as he sees fit.
This verse is redirecting our attention from those around us who don’t know or follow God’s ways to remember to delight in the Lord instead.
When we look to him, expecting what he offers us—truth, goodness, faithfulness, as seen in the verse just before this one—then he shall give us the desires of our heart.
As followers of our loving God, by now we’ve realized that his ways are higher than the world’s. When we look to him, and desire him, he resets our priorities to align with his own.
Peace comes to our hearts and minds when we refocus our gaze on our just Father, instead of the evil around us. He allows us the ability to delight, and he satisfies us there.
“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.”
Psalm 37:4 ESV commentary and devotional insights