Written by Paul J Bucknell on March, 28, 2025

Psalm 37:3-5 Living in God’s Favor

Psalm 37:3-5 addresses the difficulties of life, the confusion that arises from poor decisions, and the way forward through a closer relationship with God. Drawing from David's wisdom, the passage encourages believers to trust in the Lord, delight in His presence, and commit to Him. These actions lead to a restored spiritual perspective, where faithfulness to God paves the way for experiencing the Lord’s guidance and favor.

Sometimes, life appears crystal clear, but at other times, everything seems confusing. Problems keep cropping up, and we wonder how to reset our path. To make matters worse, some of us have littered our past with careless decisions. Now, we don’t know how to escape our self-dug hole. 

Life is not always easy. Although David, the author of this Psalm, seemed to have a great life, he faced serious challenges that confused life. In Psalm 37:3-5, he shares some valuable advice on regaining that vibrant perspective through carefully developing our relationship with the Lord. God might seem mystical or far away, but we must remember that God wants to forge a great future for our lives as we depend closely on Him. 

3 Trust in the Lord and do good; Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness. 4 Delight yourself in the Lord; And He will give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, and He will do it” (Psalm 37:3-5 NASB).

I’ll explore three special approaches to God that can help us regain perspective on life, even when things do not look good.

Plagued by problems

When problems arise, it’s easy to think they stem from those around us. We often spend considerable time blaming others for our issues. While other people can contribute to our difficulties, this is precisely what happened with David.

Notice how he begins this Psalm, “Fret not yourself because of evildoers; be not envious of wrongdoers!” (Psalm 37:1).  He experienced his share of injustices from those acting out of selfishness. He became convinced, however, that this will be our main lesson, that we need not allow the difficulties around us to cause our spirits to give up. “Fret not!” Don’t worry about them.

But don’t turn inward and allow circumstances to trap you in a spirit of bitterness. Joseph, from the account of Genesis, reminds us that not all of us start off in ideal family or growing situations. Issues of poverty, family problems, and sickness often trouble our lives. David had it hard, too. Not only was he despised by his older brothers, but when he grew up, he encountered ‘evildoers, ' those who bring trouble into our lives. 

Take a moment to consider what may have cast a shadow over your past year. What negative relationships do you have? Disappointments? Wrongdoers? Jealousy? Disobedience? Bitterness? Illness? Whether the troubles stem from within or outside–often a mix of both–David aims to teach us the key to rising above the gloom caused by these challenges. He shares insights from his learned experiences. 

Remember that our first response is often to blame God or others. However, this misguided approach can submerge us in a bitter and unpleasant spirit. God is good; He never leads us to a place where we cannot be filled with the Spirit. Jesus faced many difficult obstacles, yet He learned to rise above them.

Remember, Jesus’ beginnings were not easy–he could not see his family growing up and lived as a refugee in Egypt, thought to be born from a scandalous act of fornication. “And the child (Jesus) grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him” (Luke 2:40). Hardship is everyone’s middle name–different circumstances but always tricky.

David has experienced much over the years and has provided us with condensed advice to encourage us on our vibrant path. He summarized what he had learned. Each verse begins with a key verbal instruction: Trust (3), Delight (4), and Commit (5). 

A) Trust in the Lord: Using the faith we have (Psalm 37:3)

B) Delight yourself in the Lord: Focusing on your relationship with the Lord (Psalm 37:4)

C) Commit your way to the Lord: Simplifying our life choices with the Lord (Psalm 37:5)

A) Trust in the Lord: (Psalm 37:3)

Using the faith we have

“Trust in the Lord and do good; Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness” (Psalm 37:3 - NASB).

The main reason we make poor decisions that result in various degrees of painful outcomes is that we do not trust the Lord. Clearly, this is what David discovered, as reaching the starting point of our ascent requires trust. People do not trust others if they lack confidence in them.

God, however, can always be trusted. Remember what Paul said: “God is faithful even if we are not. God cannot deny Himself” (2 Tim 2:13 -mine). God is inherently good and desires what is best for us. This is why the evil one instills doubt in this most fundamental trust in the Lord. If we trusted the Lord, He would always offer us the best advice. Would we not eagerly listen and obey? Certainly. Unless that trust was undermined. That is how the evil one works. Let’s examine a few ways the evil one does this.

• The doubt of what God claims is best – tempted to believe other paths are preferable.
• The doubt of what God asserts is trustworthy – tempted to consider that the Bible may not be God’s word.
• The question of whether God has refrained from the best – reluctant to fully trust Him.
• The question of whether God truly thinks about us at all – so don’t listen closely.

When our trust in the Lord is undermined, we rarely trust Him. However, David directs us back to trust in the Lord. David, also a man sorely tempted, understands that the way out of this quagmire of questions and doubt is to trust the Lord. We may become confused by our own feelings and what is right, but just as the sun rises, the Lord’s goodness toward His people is a beacon of hope shining on our lives. 

Temptations confuse the mind and lead us astray. Yet, amid all this, one bright truth about God’s goodness remains: He is always good. He cannot be anything but good; He cannot deny Himself. It all makes sense, of course. Why should we trust our confused minds? Do we genuinely think our muddled thoughts lead to the best decisions? Haven’t we learned from our past mistakes? Or, more positively, have we not discovered the richness of trusting in the Lord? Has He not shown His goodness to us by giving up His Son? Why would we not trust Him? Doubt everyone, but never God! 

But I only have a little faith

The believer often possesses only a tiny amount of faith. Day by day, temptations strip away another layer of that precious faith. Disobedience creates an entire wall of disbelief. David has discovered something important here, however. As God’s children, we always maintain a glimmer of faith (i.e. trust) in God. It is this remaining faith through which we can respond. If we yield to temptations, they will lead us astray, but if we depend on the Lord, then God will come in and lift us up. Unbelievers do not have this essence of saving faith. Believers, however, always have that foundational level of faith that helps them rise above any dark situation. Don’t let your feelings or thoughts make you believe otherwise. 

Sometimes, we believe He is good by reflecting on how He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die for us. If He was good, then I can trust Him in my current circumstances. If He desires to help me, even though I stubbornly ignore and oppose Him, then His loving care is fundamentally present. 

Steps to trusting in the Lord

Here are a few suggestions on how to trust the Lord.

• Acknowledge your doubt and recognize it for what it is. “Hey, I’m feeling doubt here.” 
• Distinguish your true self from those doubts. “Why am I thinking this? This doesn't reflect who I really am.” 
• Understand that you don't have to accept those doubts. “I don’t have to heed those doubts. Satan has led me to think this way.” 
• Reinforce your trust in the Lord by recalling His goodness towards you. “You have been kind to me. Why would I place my trust in others? I will take my small faith and trust you.”

Following up on our Trust

As we trust in the Lord, God will illuminate His desires for us. We are to obey Him. This aligns with David's words: “Trust in the Lord and do good.” Notice David’s guidance here: “Do good!” God will reveal what He truly wants us to do. It may be the very thing we questioned- whether it was the best option or whether we were capable of it. Do not fear. 

Do what you can. Step by step, He will lead you. That first step is the result of your faith. “I trust; therefore, I will take that first step. I don’t know how to do it, but I will trust Him with what I can do now. This is the exciting life of obedience. Living a Christian life involves a series of miracles, though some stand out more than others.”

I remember once in India waking up to a vast typhoon (which they call a cyclone). We had scheduled meetings later that morning, but many places were flooded. We had to travel several hours by car to reach our destination. The trees were partially bent from the ongoing strong winds. The Indian roads leading to this area were not good, even when the weather was nice. I thought we would never make it through, but my brothers believed we should go as far as possible. So, I joined them. By God’s amazing grace, we were kept safe. However, many couldn’t make it to the meetings that first day, God’s grace indeed blessed us wonderfully. The rain wasn’t even falling where we were headed. That first step was important: getting in the car, stepping in the mud, and pushing the car out of the muddy holes in the water-filled field. Then we could move on.

 “Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness”

Trusting in the Lord is like embarking on a path. Typically, there are one or more things we know need to be done at that moment, but once we complete them, we encounter a series of tasks that must be addressed, sometimes repetitively. Cultivating faithfulness means that we consistently perform the same necessary actions again and again. We prioritize what the Lord considers good and lovely. 

Summarize

So the Lord calls us back to rely on God’s goodness; in trust, we take those initial basic steps, often with difficulty. We believe God will provide grace and support for what lies ahead. This marks the beginning of a daily exercise of faith. Trust Him and continue along that path. Do what is needed. 

B) Delight yourself in the Lord (Psalm 37:4)

Focusing on your relationship with the Lord

“Delight yourself in the Lord; And He will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4 - NASB).

The second command is to delight in the Lord. Many may respond awkwardly to this command, asking, “How can you command a person to delight in the Lord?” Yet, this is what the Lord is conveying to us through David. 

David undoubtedly delighted himself in the Lord. This heart change occurs when one chooses to obey the Lord after placing trust in Him. One discovers relief, joy, peace, and a deepening faith that God is with them. It is not that one is especially special or deserving; it is about simply following what the Lord has instructed. God highly favors those who align their ways with the Lord’s desires. 

In contrast to the temptations swirling in our minds and causing confusion, the extreme peace that the Lord brings is profound. As we implement what He desires, we are encouraged, the confusion dissipates, and we realize how good the Lord has been to us. This lays the foundation for our glorious delight in the Lord. However, something else follows that further increases our delight in Him.

“Delight ... in the Lord; And He will give you the desires of your heart”

Many Christians view this verse as a straightforward promise to obtain what they desire. We acknowledge that this is indeed a true promise for His children. We do not deny it is a promise; however, many believers do not fully grasp how it operates.

The condition for this promise is to delight in the Lord. The preceding verse (Ps 37:3) serves as the foundation for this verse as stated above: obedience brings peace and, therefore, delight. As we continue reading this verse, we discover that the believer can enter into joy in the Lord. Then, they delight in God’s will, even when challenging or difficult. If we acknowledge that He is good, we must also recognize His will is good.

God does not simply stamp His approval on whatever we desire when we attend a praise service. James stated that we sometimes ask amiss: “You ask and do not receive because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures” (James 4:3). David’s words reveal how it all ties together.

The desires of your heart

Attending a worship service is not the same as delighting in the Lord. As James points out, it relates to the purpose and motivation behind our actions. When we delight in the Lord, we are in awe of Him and His ways. We acknowledge His will as supreme. If His will is supreme, we then start to focus on what God desires instead of pursuing the fulfillment of our lustful desires or seeking good things–like a wife–on our own timeline.

This is the point at which morals are adopted that shape our lives. Business schools face significant challenges because they teach how to manage large sums of money and wield power but struggle to train individuals in morals without acknowledging the Lord. When people view the Lord’s ways as supreme, these morals develop quickly. God’s people don’t live for the moment but for what pleases the Lord.

It may be helpful to categorize our prayers into two types: (1) self desires and (2) heart desires. Self-desires arise from our senses. I see something and want it. I hear about a certain country and desire to visit. This can work similarly with a person. Heart desires are different because they focus on our hearts' profound longings and burdens. They are more related to our life purpose and, I believe, are placed there by God. The key point, however, is to recognize that we can never truly comprehend our most profound desires while distracted by the more superficial ones stemming from our senses. Once we delight in the Lord, we transcend our senses and engage with what the Lord has deeply ingrained in our minds and hearts.

To recapture the essence of this verse, delighting in the Lord represents the moment when we stop concentrating on our own lives and strive to fulfill His will for us. By drawing close to the Lord, we understand that it is not just our actions that please Him, but how we perform them. This is the godly fear that nurtures growth.

With our self-seeking wills subdued, this quietness of heart before the Lord opens us to a better understanding of how God created us with various talents and interests. Our will and purpose are guided by trust in His purpose for our lives. It is from this place that we begin to see how God might use our heart's interests in our lives to fulfill His purposes more effectively.     

The same thing happens with the burden of our hearts. As we observe various needs around us, we pray for God to fulfill those needs. Sometimes, we have no idea how God might respond to that prayer. However, during some of those moments of perseverance in prayer, we discover that God wants us to take ‘some action.’ As we take that step, He increasingly reveals what more can be accomplished.

Before the beginning of my ministry in Biblical Foundations for Freedom, I spent some free time trying to use my experience and knowledge of overcoming lust to help others trapped in this sin. I hoped that perhaps the Lord would assist me in putting that information online. This was all before I even knew how to create a website. As I responded to the Lord’s calling into this ministry, He faithfully inspired my heart to make God’s Word practical, illustrated through graphic designs. He nurtured a desire within me despite my many fears, doubts, and lack of skills. In time, He worked through my weaknesses and provided many more resources, some aligned with this theme and others, yet all focused on making God’s Word practical and more accessible to our hearts.

Our joy in the Lord grows as we witness God working in and through our lives.

Application

• Have you found the quiet within your heart to hear how God wants to work through your life to assist others?
• What is the profound desire of your heart, your burden? 
• Are you lamenting about life, too occupied or distracted to contemplate the purpose God has for you?

C) Commit your way to the Lord (Psalm 37:5)

Simplify your life choices with the Lord

“Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, and He will do it.” (Psalm 37:5- NASB).

The command to trust directs us to use our small faith to return to relying on the Lord. The command to delight in the Lord reminds us to rise higher in our increasingly joyful relationship and service before the Lord. This final command to commit our way to the Lord is crucial in securing that stronger faith. 

In the original language, 'commit' means ‘to roll’. Rolling something to another spot requires an initial push, but one must then let go. “Let go and let God.” This idea is so important. Give God room to work. Watch Him closely. When we let go and maintain our trust in the Lord, as this verse says, then “He will do it.” This is where God begins to act.

Securing your gain

These steps are akin to getting married. Trust enables us to befriend someone and get to know them. Later, we discover what they like and how we want to be with them when they engage in those activities, or vice versa; we want them to be with us when we are doing something special. However, it is the time for commitment and exclusivity. Once we get engaged, we enter a relationship with that guy or girl. With the commitment of marriage, we not only secure the trust and joy that we have gained up to that point, but also enable ourselves to deepen our relationship with our spouses, both physically and emotionally and relationally. 

Unfortunately, for some, commitment becomes the point where growth halts. However, if we truly understood marriage, we would recognize it as the space where relationships can genuinely flourish. The same applies to our relationship with the Lord. 

We often consider God’s commitment to us, but have you ever considered the commitment God desires from you? If you can strengthen that commitment and allow God's things to capture your attention and heart, then you can deepen your relationship with God and even with others. 

Though God is not limited to working when we want or how we might foresee something being done, He delights in collaborating with us. The Lord has a vast world of resources available to any follower of Christ who opens his or her heart entirely to Him. The world is perishing not because the Lord has lost His powers; He is waiting for us to fully commit ourselves to Him so that He can unleash His complete arsenal of love!

Practical ways to commit the matter to the Lord

Marriage

Did you ever want your husband or wife to improve some aspect of their life? The scripture warns wives not to nag, but we think, “If I don't nag, how will he ever get something done?” Follow these three steps: clarify what God wants to do in him (or her), step into a closer relationship with the Lord, rejoice in how God watches over you, and discuss this matter with Him. He might remind you just to be quiet, mention a certain verse, or encourage you to keep praying. In any case, when you do what He suggests, it is like the push to get the ball rolling. But then, let it go (i.e., roll). 

I believe it helps to tell the Lord, “I have done what you want, but now I will trust you to handle the most significant part. Thank you for working with me to achieve what You desire. I want it done yesterday, but I will wait for your timing and see how you carry it out.” The ‘rolling’ allows us to avoid worry or pushing others. We can rejoice in the Lord. I'm unsure if we can call this a spiritual discipline, but it is a significant way to approach our Christian lives. We act with the Lord and follow His leading.

Parenting

It is easy for parents to dream about their children’s futures. However, these verses encourage us to pray for God’s will to be fulfilled in their lives. We can assist by recognizing special interests and burdens within our children and sharing, “The Lord can use this in you for others.” Parents must shape their children by teaching them good physical, social, and spiritual disciplines. This is a work we do alongside the Lord. While parents have authority over their children, they must carefully monitor how they communicate and guide them in their activities. As children mature, they should increasingly seek God to work in their hearts and circumstances.

Children

Children are taught to honor their parents, but what if...? Learning to work with the Lord is easier when you are under someone else’s authority than over them. The reason is quite simple–others can dictate what you do! The importance of taking the first step of obedience and then delighting in the Lord sometimes leads one into challenging circumstances where one must learn to trust the Lord to work through prayer.  Sometimes, the Lord will remind us that parents are preoccupied with other matters. If you see them neglecting important issues, seek the Lord on how to improve the situation. Don’t assume that being arrogant or explaining will help. No. Nor should you let it fester under your skin. At some point, you will erupt in rebellion regarding this issue. You need God to “do it!”

Other illustrations

God impressed Hudson Taylor with the importance of trusting Him for funds, initially for himself and later for hundreds of missionaries in China, without publicly raising donations. His faith greatly surpasses ours. These funds primarily came from distant Great Britain (i.e., the UK). Hudson had to rely on God to prompt people to send money well before it was needed, allowing for the transfer to be documented in a letter and sent by slow boats across the oceans. More faith is required when we have difficulty imagining how God might provide.

Competition for your heart

The world’s advice often contradicts the Lord’s, especially regarding success. Did you notice this in the previous verses? Although there are many popular books and blogs about achieving success, we can only truly succeed when we learn to collaborate with the Lord. We receive His blessing. “He does it.” Here are a few competing interests.

The world says: Trust in your heart
Lord says: Trust in the Lord

The world says: The path to success is to follow your heart.
The Lord says: The path of success is to love Him and what He loves.

The Lord says: We must pursue our relationship with the Lord in order to see God fulfill our heart’s desires.

Summary

(1) “Trust in the Lord” (Ps 37:3)

• Use the faith we have 
• His grace is sufficient to carry out our tasks to please Him.

(2) “Delight yourself in the Lord” (Ps 37:4)

• Focus on your relationship with the Lord
• “God wonderfully takes care of me.”

(3) “Commit your way to the Lord” (Ps 37:5)

• Simplify your life choices with the Lord
• Be daring, and “He will do it!”

Is your heart wholly committed to the Lord? 

The Lord guides His children into a deeper relationship with Him. Though we may not label ourselves as lukewarm, an honest examination reveals a lack of what He expects. Our trust is low, and we find delight in other things. While we claim to dedicate our lives to the Lord for salvation, this falls short of the commitment He desires for true collaboration in achieving His plans for us.

 

Bible Study Questions on Psalm 37:3-5

1. What does it mean to "trust in the Lord and do good" as mentioned in Psalm 37:3?
2. How can we cultivate faithfulness and shape a believer's life?
3. What practical steps can one take to "delight in the Lord" daily?
4. How does Psalm 37:4 assure us about the desires of our hearts?
5. In what ways can committing your way to the Lord transform your perspective on challenges?
6. Why is trust in the Lord emphasized multiple times in this passage?
7. How does the author of the document relate David's experiences to modern-day struggles?
8. What might "cultivating faithfulness" look like in the context of your personal walk with God?
9. How can the advice in Psalm 37:3-5 help someone seeking a fresh start in life?