Trust in God and don’t be provoked by evil doers; this is a Psalm that will lead you closer to God and help you love the unlovable soul in your life that disturbs your peace. Ask the Lord to help you grow in the virtues of charity and temperance as you meditate on Psalm 37 and receive God’s grace.
Just Trust God
Don’t be provoked by evildoers. David offers a psalm of prayer reflecting on why one should trust in the Lord and in His goodness and not take matters into into one’s own hands. It is easy when you are spiritually weak to want to see evildoers get their comeuppance. But the lesson in Psalm 37 is to allow God’s will over your own. Every soul is in a state of fluctuation. Every human being on this planet who you might classify as an evildoer may one day become a glorious saint.
This is why Jesus clearly teaches us to love our enemies and do good to those who persecute us. So don’t be provoked to argue with a soul that is lost and angry and desiring to wound you. Trust God. Don’t be provoked against a soul that desires to take from you what does not belong to him. Trust God. If you desire to live as Jesus has taught us to live, then you must imitate Him.
Pray for your enemy. Ask the Lord to have mercy on that soul. Ask Him to bless this person and give this person the grace to change. Then be patient, as David says in Psalm 37. Trust God and He will act, according to His will, and His justice will be done, which may not be anything at all like you imagine.
"But I say to you that hear: Love your enemies, do good to them that hate you. Bless them that curse you, and pray for them that calumniate you.
And to him that striketh thee on the one cheek, offer also the other. And him that taketh away from thee thy cloak, forbid not to take thy coat also. Give to every one that asketh thee, and of him that taketh away thy goods, ask them not again.
And as you would that men should do to you, do you also to them in like manner.
And if you love them that love you, what thanks are to you? for sinners also love those that love them. And if you do good to them who do good to you, what thanks are to you? for sinners also do this. And if you lend to them of whom you hope to receive, what thanks are to you? for sinners also lend to sinners, for to receive as much. But love ye your enemies: do good, and lend, hoping for nothing thereby: and your reward shall be great, and you shall be the sons of the Highest; for he is kind to the unthankful, and to the evil."
Don't Be Provoked by Evildoers, Psalm 37
Do not be provoked by evildoers;
do not envy those who do wrong.
like green plants they wilt away.
that you may dwell in the land and live secure.
who will give you your heart’s desire.
trust in him and he will act
your justice like noonday.
wait for him.
Do not be provoked by the prosperous,
nor by malicious schemers.
do not be provoked; it brings only harm.
but those who wait for the LORD will inherit the earth.
look for them and they will not be there.
will delight in great prosperity.
and gnash their teeth at them;
because he sees that their day is coming.
they string their bows
To fell the poor and oppressed,
to slaughter those whose way is upright.
their bows will be broken.
than the plenty of the wicked.
while the LORD will sustain the righteous.
their heritage lasts forever.
in days of famine they will be satisfied.
enemies of the LORD;
They shall be consumed like fattened lambs;
like smoke they disappear.
the righteous one is generous and gives.
but those accursed will be cut off.
who will delight in his way,
for the LORD holds his hand.
have I seen the righteous one abandoned
or his offspring begging for bread.
and his offspring become a blessing.
that you may be settled forever.
and does not abandon the faithful.
When the unjust are destroyed,
and the offspring of the wicked cut off,
and dwell in it forever.
his tongue speaks what is right.
his steps do not falter.
and seeks to kill him.
nor let him be condemned when tried.
and keep his way;
He will raise you up to inherit the earth;
you will see when the wicked are cut off.
spreading out like a green cedar.
When I passed by again, he was gone;
though I searched, he could not be found.
Because there is a future for a man of peace.
the future of the wicked will be cut off.
their refuge in a time of distress.
rescues and saves them from the wicked,
because they take refuge in him.
I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? Do not the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brothers only, what is unusual about that? Do not the pagans do the same? So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.
don't be provoked, trust in God
Prayer for Our Enemies
Jesus, Prince of Peace,
you have asked us to love our enemies
and pray for those who persecute us.
We pray for our enemies and those who oppose us.
With the help of the Holy Spirit,
may all people learn to work together
for that justice which brings true and lasting peace.
To you be glory and honor for ever and ever.
Amen.
Trust in God and Pray for those who Persecute You
don't be provoked, trust in God
“Where there is charity and wisdom, there is neither fear nor ignorance. Where there is patience and humility, there is neither anger nor vexation. Where there is poverty and joy, there is neither greed nor avarice. Where there is peace and meditation, there is neither anxiety nor doubt.” Saint Francis of Assisi
“What does love look like? It has the hands to help others. It has the feet to hasten to the poor and needy. It has eyes to see misery and want. It has the ears to hear the sighs and sorrows of men. That is what love looks like.” St. Augustine
“We do not know the number of souls that is ours to save through our prayers and sacrifices; therefore, let us always pray for sinners.” St. Faustina