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One has only to look at the context of the command in Psalm 37 to see that the word
contains the thought of envy and jealousy. It is not the fretting because of the wickedness
of men, but fretting because of their prosperity. It is not the overburdened mourner that is
addressed, but the believer, tempted by the temporal successes of the ungodly, to leave
the pilgrim pathway. In verse 7 this thought finds expression:
"Fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of they man who bringeth wicked
devices to pass".
This kind of fretting leads to evil. Verse 8 shows this by immediately following with:
"Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; fret not thyself in anywise TO DO EVIL".
This kind of fretting is the result of forgetting, and of shortness of vision. David
assures us that those successful wicked men,
"shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb" (verse 2).
Later, in verses 35 and 36, he enlarges upon this saying:
"I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree. Yet he passed
away, and lo, he was not; yea, I sought him, but he could not be found".
Instead of envying the wicked and their successes, the Psalmist urges the more
excellent way of trust in the Lord:
"Delight thyself also in the Lord; and He shall give thee the DESIRES OF THINE HEART, Roll thy
way upon the Lord; trust also in Him; and He shall BRING IT TO PASS...Be silent to the Lord, and
wait patiently for Him" (verses 4-7)
What words are here! How they breathe the very atmosphere of quiet confidence and
simple trust! "Delight thyself"; how much better this than "fretting thyself"! "Roll they
way" instead of bearing the burden alone. "Be silent"; "wait patiently"; what holy calm!
Peace with God is unalterable. The enjoyment of that peace is another thing.
Philippians 4:5-7 is a far-off echo of Psalm 37:
"Be anxious for nothing, in everything by prayer...with thanksgiving...AND THE PEACE OF GOD..."