Psalms 37:17

17 The power of those who are evil will be broken. But the LORD takes good care of those who do what is right.

Psalms 37:17 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 37:17

For the arms of the wicked shall be broken
That is, their sword arm, with which they have drawn it; and so shall not be able to strike with it; and with which they have bent their bows, but shall not be able to shoot: and this proves, what is before suggested, that their efforts shall be fruitless; or their substance shall be taken away from them, in which they trusted, and wherein their strength lay; and this confirms what had been just spoken, that the righteous man's little is better than the wicked man's much; and which is further confirmed by what follows;

but the Lord upholdeth the righteous;
both in a providential way, by supporting them in their being, supplying their need, preserving them from dangers, and bearing them up under all their afflictions; and in a spiritual way, by maintaining the principle of grace and life in them, by furnishing them with all spiritual blessings, by sustaining them in times of temptation, and by securing them safe from their enemies; upholding them so as that they stand in the grace of God now, and shall stand before Christ with confidence hereafter; and shall not fall here finally and totally, nor in the day of judgment. The Targum is, "the Word of the Lord upholdeth the righteous".

Psalms 37:17 In-Context

15 But they will be killed with their own swords. Their own bows will be broken.
16 Those who do what is right may have very little. But it's better than the wealth of many sinners.
17 The power of those who are evil will be broken. But the LORD takes good care of those who do what is right.
18 Every day the LORD watches over those who are without blame. What he has given them will last forever.
19 When trouble comes to them, they will have what they need. When there is little food in the land, they will still have plenty.
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