Psalms 37:16 A little that a righteous man hath [is] better than the riches of many wicked.

Psalms 37:18 The LORD knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be for ever.

Psalms 37:21 The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth.

Psalms 37:22 For [such as be] blessed of him shall inherit the earth; and [they that be] cursed of him shall be cut off.

Psalms 37:23-25 The steps of a [good] man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. 24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth [him with] his hand. 25 I have been young, and [now] am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.

Psalms 37:37 Mark the perfect [man], and behold the upright: for the end of [that] man [is] peace.

Psalms 37:39-40 39 But the salvation of the righteous [is] of the LORD: [he is] their strength in the time of trouble. 40 And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him.

In this Psalm the prospering ungodly are contrasted with the godly man. The wicked are held up against the righteous. We see that it is far better to be the righteous and the godly for they have a sure expectation and end. They have eternal enjoyments and yet the endless encouragement from the Lord in this life. Let us not be guilty of envying the wicked for even though they may seem to have all of the worldly riches yet they will soon fade away as a leaf which loses its color and finally falls to the forest floor. It is better then to have a little and be righteous the Scripture says. It is far better to be content with what the Lord gives than to be seeking the treasures in this life. Treasures of wickedness profit nothing.

The Lord knows our days and He has given us an eternal inheritance. Praise God we look forward to enjoyment to come. What a sure expectation. It is then that we are able to have such a loose hold on what we have here. The Lord has been merciful to us and we therefore will show mercy to others. A righteous person is a merciful person. The wicked hoards what he has and will not let go with his fingers until at last it is pried from his hand by death. The righteous lives with an open hand. The wicked takes the righteous gives.

Such great promises to the good man. The Lord orders our steps this morning. Praise God He watches over our steps and He upholds with His hand. His providence, plan, pleasure, preserving, protecting, and finally provision are all blessings laid up for this good godly man.

These blessings overflow not only the life of the godly but extend to his seed. How true a principle that our own actions and walk with the Lord have effect, sometimes lasting effect upon our seed. Korah’s little ones went down into the pit with he, his wife, and tent, when the earth opened up for his rebellion. How much better to be the faithful man who walks in his integrity so that the children might be blessed after him. Let us be conscientious of the fact that our actions affect our seed. Never has the psalmist seen the righteous forsaken nor his seed begging bread. The righteous’ children are not beggars but the wicked’s children shall be cut off.

Then set a mark upon this godly man, note him, consider him well and May we be him, for his end is surly peace. He is a meek man, not needing to exert all of his own strength, struggling and striving through life, for he has learned the benefit of quietly waiting and trusting in his God.

May we know the salvation from the Lord this day, and then His strength which is sufficient. When trouble comes we must have the strength of the Lord to bear up under the load.

For those who will trust in Him, they will find His help, deliverance, and salvation.