Psalm 37:21

Translations

Modern

The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous are gracious and giving.

Traditional

The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth.

Literal

The wicked borrows and does not repay, and the righteous one is gracious and giving.

Latin

Mutuabitur peccator, et non solvet; justus autem miseretur et tribuet:

Original

Hebrew

English

The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous are gracious and giving.

Notes

Psalms 37:21

To borrow and never repay shows a dishonest way of life.
Generous givers freely share what they freely receive from the Lord (see Psalm 111:5; 112:5).

Psalms 37:1–40

This psalm addresses the issues raised in Psalm 36:

How should the godly react to evil?
When will the Lord bring justice?
Why does he allow the wicked to harm his creation?

Psalm 37 provides clear answers that reduce the tensions of life (Psalm 37:1–9, 34) and promise that the meek will have a future (Psalm 37:10–11, 39–40).

The contrast between the godly and the wicked highlights the uselessness of foolishness (Psalm 37:12–24, 27–33). The psalmist's personal insights add a human element (Psalm 37:25–26, 35–38). He encourages viewing the land's inheritance with a long-term perspective: The earth belongs to the Lord, who will give it to those he blesses—the humble and godly who trust, hope, and follow him (see Psalm 37:9, 11, 22, 29, 34; see also Isaiah 57:13; Matthew 5:5).

Theme notes and profiles

David Inheriting the Land Wisdom Psalms

Related verses

Hebrews 13:16
And do not neglect to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
Psalm 112:5
It is well with the man who is generous and lends freely, whose affairs are guided by justice.
Proverbs 22:7
The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender.
Psalm 112:9
He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever; his horn will be lifted high in honor.
Luke 6:30
Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what is yours, do not demand it back.
Deuteronomy 28:12
The LORD will open the heavens, His abundant storehouse, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands. You will lend to many nations, but borrow from none.
2 Corinthians 8:9
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.
Isaiah 58:7–10
Isn’t it to share your bread with the hungry, to bring the poor and homeless into your home, to clothe the naked when you see him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
Deuteronomy 15:9–11
Be careful not to harbor this wicked thought in your heart: “The seventh year, the year of release, is near,” so that you look upon your poor brother begrudgingly and give him nothing. He will cry out to the LORD against you, and you will be guilty of sin.
Job 31:16–20
If I have denied the desires of the poor or allowed the widow’s eyes to fail,
Acts 20:35
In everything, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus Himself: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
2 Corinthians 9:6–15
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.

Psalm 37:21

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