Psalm 37 (36):7Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Christ accomplished the will of the Father and thereby fulfilled the law. He is the culmination of the law (Romans 10:4) and the embodiment of love (Romans 13:10), for His love for the Father led Him to fulfill His will. The apostle proclaimed Christ's glory, stating: When all is subjected to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him, so that God may be all in all (1 Corinthians 15:28). The prophet similarly expressed a personal commitment: Does not my soul yield to God? For my salvation is from Him (Psalm 61:2). Thus, out of loving devotion, not helplessness, the Lord submitted to His earthly parents, Joseph and Mary (Luke 2:51). The glory of Christ is vast; it transforms the hearts of all people, drawing them away from betrayal, disbelief, and idolatry, and leading them to obedience to Him. When all will yield to Him, when the complete number of the Gentiles has come in and all of Israel has been saved (Romans 11:25-26), and the entire world is united as one body in Christ, then He will present Himself, offering His gift to God the Father as the High Priest and Lord of the heavenly altars, where the faithful sacrifice of all is offered (Romans 12:5). This obedience is rooted in filial love, as the Lord Christ was submissive in the flesh, and we are His body and members (1 Corinthians 12:27). Dear believer, submit to Christ, for He is the Wisdom of God, the Word, Righteousness, and Power—these attributes are embodied in Him. Let each person submit to God! He calls all to surrender their hearts, their souls, and their bodies to Him; let God be supreme in all things. The one who is filled with grace is subdued; he carries the yoke of Christ (Matthew 11:29) and actively fulfills the Lord's commands without hesitation. However, those who disregard the ways of the spirit (Colossians 2:18), lack love, and turn away from the divine service that is appropriate to the eternal Creator, are not obedient. The one who is without sin is subject to Christ, having been redeemed by Him; the sinner is not free but enslaved, bound by the heavy chains of sin. The psalmist warns against envy of those who succeed in their wicked ways, committing injustice (Psalm 36:7). In doing so, he voices a prior realization: one should not compete with the unrighteous nor emulate those who commit wrongdoing. It is not wrongdoing but the success that often accompanies the wicked that can tempt us to imitate them for their apparent achievements. We observe the prosperity of sinners in this world, and how they amass wealth. Hence, I lament: In vain have I maintained a pure heart and washed my hands in innocence, for I experience torment all day long (Psalm 72:12-14). If David faced such trials, how vigilant should we be to avoid being chastened, since wealth, honor, and power offered to this generation are ephemeral, mere illusions, and not rewards for virtue; they vanish like a dream when one awakens (Psalm 72:19-20). Athletes are crowned only after they achieve victory, not before. We are in contest with this world, so conquer it before claiming your crown! No one is awarded a crown before completing the race. Is it not true that those who run in the race (2 Timothy 2:5; 1 Corinthians 9:24) do not receive their prize until they have run the course? Many who appear to lead can fall short at the end, deceived by their initial speed. Are you more pleasing to God than Paul? This chosen vessel, the teacher of the nations (Acts 9:15; 1 Timothy 2:7), did not presume to claim his crown in this life. Listen to his words: I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith; henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord will award to me on that day (2 Timothy 4:7-8). Paul, who was caught up into the third heaven and heard inexpressible things (2 Corinthians 12:4), acknowledged that he was unsure if it was in the body or apart from the body. Paul asserts that he will receive his crown on that day, while you seek to be crowned here? Complete your contest! An athlete does not compete just once; a warrior does not engage in battle once to attain a reward, and you must face more than one temptation.

Or, as the Hebrew text conveys, "Be silent before God, and wait upon Him"; this urges one to refrain from complaining against God, even when the reasons for His commands or actions are unclear. Instead, one should comply with His wishes quietly, remaining obedient in all matters; nonetheless, they should continue to pray and patiently await their requests, for the Lord will grant what is good in His wise judgment. Do not harbor envy towards those who advance swiftly, referring to the prosperous individual who is unjust and immoral, thriving in their wrongdoing.