Keraia
Psalm 37

Psalm 37:32

Delight Yourself in the LORD · Psalm 37:1–40
Read Psalm 37

Translations

Modern
Though the wicked lie in wait for the righteous, and seek to slay them,
Traditional
The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him.
Literal
The wicked is keeping watch on the righteous, and he is seeking to kill him.
Latin
Considerat peccator justum, et quærit mortificare eum.

Original

Hebrew
English
Though the wicked lie in wait for the righteous, and seek to slay them,

Notes

Psalms 37:27–33

The godly are wise; they do good and reject evil. The Lord cares for them, protecting them and ensuring that they receive their rightful portion of the land as their inheritance. The wicked might try to ambush the godly, but they will not succeed.

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

Parallels

1 Kings 2:1–9

Glossary

Acrostic David Music Poetry, Biblical Poor, the Proverbs, Book of Psalms, Book of Wisdom Literature

Topics

Afflictions and Adversities: Consolation In God: Preserver Homicide: Felonious, or Murder Persecution of the Righteous Righteousness: The Wicked Slay Those Who Follow