Good Advice From Dr. Livingstone

Psalm 37:1-11

A psalm of David.

1Don’t worry about the wicked.

Don’t envy those who do wrong.

2For like grass, they soon fade away.

Like springtime flowers, they soon wither.

3Trust in the LORD and do good.

Then you will live safely in the land and prosper.

4Take delight in the LORD,

and he will give you your heart’s desires.

5Commit everything you do to the LORD.

Trust him, and he will help you.

6He will make your innocence as clear as the dawn,

and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun.

7Be still in the presence of the LORD,

and wait patiently for him to act.

Don’t worry about evil people who prosper

or fret about their wicked schemes.

8Stop your anger!

Turn from your rage!

Do not envy others—

it only leads to harm.

9For the wicked will be destroyed,

but those who trust in the LORD will possess the land.

10In a little while, the wicked will disappear.

Though you look for them, they will be gone.

11Those who are gentle and lowly will possess the land;

they will live in prosperous security.

It is not easy to “wait patiently” for the Lord to act (verse 7). Early in his missionary explorations in Africa, David Livingstone was barred by a local chieftain from crossing through his territory. After several days of futile bantering back and forth, Livingstone whipped out a revolver and demanded to go through. It was a move Livingstone always regretted, for it was not in keeping with Psalm 37, which was a favorite of his.

Livingstone often quoted Psalm 37:5. When he gave a friend a Bible, he inscribed it with Psalm 37:5 in the Sechuana language and then translated it to English. Good advice for a new Christian.

Livingstone regretted that he had not spent time with his children when they were growing up, but he tried to counsel them in their teenage years after their mother had died. To his son Thomas he wrote: “Whatever you feel yourself best fitted for, one ought to endeavor to devote the peculiarities of his nature to his Redeemer’s service,” and then he quoted Psalm 37:5. Good advice for a teenager.

During Livingstone’s final days in Africa, as he was menaced by savage tribesmen, prostrated by fear, gnawed by hunger, and near death, he kept quoting Psalm 37:5. This was the verse that sustained him throughout his explorations in Africa. Good advice for anyone in any circumstance and in any location.

Thy way, not mine, O Lord

However dark it be;

O lead me by thine own right hand,

Choose out the path for me.

HORATIUS BONAR

A Word on Words

The Hebrew word for “commit” (verse 5) is literally “roll.” You are to roll your burdens off your shoulders and onto the shoulders of the Lord.

Notable Quotable

“Note your part and God’s part in verse 4. If you delight, he will give.”

CHARLES HADDON SPURGEON