Psalm 37 is an exceptionally helpful and practical psalm, in that it consistently offers clear guidance to us in our spiritual life and our human situations. It has forty verses, each with one or sometimes two direct statements. It gives various things that we are to take care not to do, and various things that we are to do, understanding that they are commanded by the Lord.

These instructions are kept short and to the point. Spiritually, brevity is about our need to receive commands which speak to us directly without elaboration or debate. Our understanding of worldly life is often caught up with complexities and qualifications. Our spiritual understanding needs to be focused fully on the Lord and the Word so that we well understand the absolute nature of divine truth.

The psalm begins as it will continue: “Do not fret because of evildoers…” because the Lord, in good time, will bring things to their rightful end. But we should also not fret because it disturbs and weakens our trust in the Lord, which is there to uphold and strengthen us.

Evil is then likened to the short-lived grass which gets cut down and which withers. ‘Grass’ corresponds to simple facts or scientifics which, while useful, are not to take on undue importance compared to what is spiritual. (See Apocalypse Explained 507)

“Trust in the Lord and do good”, “Delight yourself in the Lord”, and “Commit your way to the Lord” all follow on - one after the other. They point out the value to us of these direct commands and statements. (Refer to Divine Love and Wisdom 237, near the end)

One theme which runs through this psalm is that evil and wickedness will always be short-lived, and brought to an end. Verse 10, for example, says ‘…For yet a little while and the wicked shall be no more.’ And verse 20 puts it, ‘…The enemies of the Lord, shall vanish, into smoke they shall vanish away.’ Spiritually this short-lived nature of evil stands for the certainty of its downfall, and, while hell exists, (in which the Lord still governs even those who choose a love of evil), the Lord will end the evil in us, and the evil influencing us, when we live by the Word. (Arcana Caelestia 8939)

Verse 25 mentions the fact that we age: ‘I have been young and now am old’ and continues on to describe seeing the goodness of the Lord. Spiritually, ‘young’ stands for a state in which we are more vigorous in what we assert and believe (Divine Providence 105), whereas to be ‘old’ stands for spiritual maturity in which we have become wiser and humbler from following the Lord. (Arcana Caelestia 3254)

An important point is made in verse 27, that we are to ‘Depart from evil and do good, and dwell for evermore.’ The order here is very significant; we know the importance of loving and doing what is good, but for this to be genuine good rather than conditional good, we need to first examine ourselves and abstain from what is evil. In this way, we will grow in a true love of good, as the Lord’s good and not ours. It is also important for us to see that this is an ongoing process. (Charity 23-25)

Verse 34 commands us to ‘Wait on the Lord, and keep his way’. Waiting is generally a time-based idea but spiritually, time is not a consideration, only state. This then means that to wait on the Lord is to be attentive, mindful, conscious of and ready for the Lord in our life, knowing that as we keep close to the Lord, he can help us feel that he is close to us and directing our steps. In this way, we become expectant. (Arcana Caelestia 5284)

This is an important, spiritually practical psalm that's like a deep well. We've touched on a few of the many statements in it, but there's much more here. Hopefully, these examples will encourage you to explore it further!

Here's an extract from Swedenborg's explanation of the inner meaning of the Book of Revelation, in which he has collected a nice set of passages from the Word, about peace. It's powerful to read them as a set.

This is from Apocalypse Revealed 306:

"[In the Word,] Peace symbolizes everything whatever that comes from the Lord, and so everything pertaining to heaven and the church, and the blessings of life in them. In the highest or inmost sense, these are blessings of peace.

It follows from this that peace means charity, spiritual security, and inner rest, for when a person abides in the Lord, he is at peace with his neighbor, which is a state of charity, and he has protection from hell, which is spiritual security. And when he is at peace with his neighbor and has protection from hell, he enjoys an inner rest from evils and falsities.

Accordingly, since all these blessings come from the Lord, it can be seen what is symbolically meant by peace in general and in particular in the following passages:

...unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; the government will be upon His shoulder. His name will be called... God, Hero, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end... (Isaiah 9:6-7)

(Jesus said,) "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you." (John 14:27)

(Jesus said,) "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace." (John 16:33)

In His days the righteous shall flourish, and much peace... (Psalms 72:3, 7)

Then I will make a covenant of peace... (Ezekiel 34:25, 27; 37:25-26)

How delightful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who proclaims peace..., who says to Zion, "Your King reigns!" (Isaiah 52:7)

Jehovah bless you and... lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace. (Numbers 6:24-26)

Jehovah will bless His people with peace. (Psalms 29:11)

(Jehovah) will redeem my soul in peace... (Psalms 55:18)

The work of (Jehovah) is peace, [and] the labor of righteousness, rest and security forever, that (they) may dwell in a tabernacle of peace, in secure tents, and in tranquil places of rest. (Isaiah 32:17-18)

(Jesus said to the seventy that He sent out,) "Whatever house you enter, first say, 'Peace to this house.' And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest on it." (Luke 10:5-6, cf. Matthew 10:12-14)

The wretched shall possess the earth, and shall delight themselves in an abundance of peace... ...observe the upright man, for the final state for that man is peace. (Psalms 37:11, 37)

(Zacharias, prophesying, said,) ."..the Dayspring from on high has appeared..., to guide our feet into the way of peace." (Luke 1:78-79)

Depart from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. (Psalms 34:14)

Much peace have those who love Your law... (Psalms 119:165)

"Oh, that you had heeded My commandments! Then your peace would have been like a river...." "There is no peace," says Jehovah, "for the impious." (Isaiah 48:18, 22)

(Jehovah) will speak peace to His people... Righteousness and peace will kiss. (Psalms 85:8, 10)

There is no peace in my bones because of my sin. (Psalms 38:3)

He has filled me with bitterness... ...moved (is) my soul far from peace; I have forgotten goodness. (Lamentations 3:15, 17)

And so on in many other places, from which it can be seen that the aforesaid blessings are meant by peace. Fix your mind on spiritual peace, and you will clearly see.

So likewise in the following places: Isaiah 26:12; 53:5; 54:10, 13; Jeremiah 33:6, 9; Haggai 2:9; Zechariah 8:16, 19; Psalms 4:6-8; 120:6-7; 122:6-9; 128:5-6; 147:14."