Psalms 37:12-22

12 The wicked plots against the righteous and grinds his teeth at him;
13 but Adonai laughs at the wicked, knowing his day will come.
14 The wicked have unsheathed their swords, they have strung their bows to bring down the poor and needy, to slaughter those whose way is upright.
15 But their swords will pierce their own hearts, and their bows will be broken.
16 Better the little that the righteous has than the wealth of all the wicked.
17 For the arms of the wicked will be broken, but ADONAI upholds the righteous.
18 ADONAI knows what the wholehearted suffer, but their inheritance lasts forever.
19 They will not be distressed when times are hard; when famine comes, they will have plenty.
20 For the wicked will perish; ADONAI's enemies will be like sheep fat, ending up as smoke, finished.
21 The wicked borrows and doesn't repay, but the righteous is generous and gives.
22 For those blessed by [ADONAI] will inherit the land, but those cursed by him will be cut off.

Psalms 37:12-22 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO PSALM 37

\\<<[A Psalm] of David>>\\. This psalm, it is very probable, was written at the same time, and upon the same occasion, with the former; and describes the different states of good and bad men; and is full of exhortations, instructions, and advice to the people of God; intermixed with various encouraging promises. A late learned writer {h} thinks it was written for Mephibosheth's consolation under Ziba's calumny. {h} Delaney's Life of King David, vol. 2. p. 219.

Complete Jewish Bible Copyright 1998 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.