Psalms 37:35

35 I saw the wicked man enhanced above; and raised up as the cedars of Lebanon. (Once I saw a wicked man exalted; yea, raised up as high as the cedars in Lebanon.)

Psalms 37:35 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 37:35

I have seen the wicked in great power
Meaning some particular person invested with great power, in great authority among men, one of the spiritual wickednesses in high places; such a man as Haman in Ahasuerus's court; and though the psalmist does not choose to mention his name, he doubtless had him in his mind; as either Saul, or Doeg the Edomite, or Ahithophel, or some such man, who was in an exalted station of life; and it may be when he himself was in low and distressed circumstances: the word used ^F3 signifies one formidable and terrible, striking terror to all around; of whom others are afraid, as Aben Ezra interprets it, ( Isaiah 29:20 ) ( 49:25 ) ;

and spreading himself like a green bay tree:
or like one that grows up out of the earth of itself, and is in its native soil, and very flourishing: and the metaphor denotes an increase of riches and honour, and a seemingly settled state in the enjoyment of such outward felicity; so Jarchi interprets it (vyrvm) , "taking root"; as well as such a man's glorying in and boasting of his affluence and fulness; see ( Psalms 73:12 ) ( Jeremiah 12:1 Jeremiah 12:2 ) ( Psalms 49:6 ) . Aben Ezra explains it of a wicked man's openly committing iniquity, declaring his sin as Sodom, and glorying in his shame; but rather it denotes a man in great authority and esteem, as a man crowned with laurels, and in a very exalted and triumphant state.

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FOOTNOTES:

F3 (Uyde) "terrificam", Montanus, Vatablus; "terribilem ant formidabilem", Gejerus, Michaelis; "daunting, terrible", Ainsworth.

Psalms 37:35 In-Context

33 But the Lord shall not forsake him in his hands; neither he shall condemn him, when it shall be deemed against him.

34 Abide thou the Lord, and keep thou his way, and he shall enhance thee, that by heritage thou take the land; when sinners shall perish, thou shalt see. (Wait thou for the Lord, and keep thou to his way, and he shall raise thee up, or shall exalt thee, so that thou take the land by inheritance; and when the sinners shall perish, thou shalt see it.)

35 I saw the wicked man enhanced above; and raised up as the cedars of Lebanon. (Once I saw a wicked man exalted; yea, raised up as high as the cedars in Lebanon.)

36 And I passed (And then I passed by later), and lo! he was not (there); I sought him, and his place was not found.

37 Keep thou innocence, and see equity; for those be relics to a peaceable man. (Mark thou the innocent, and look upon the righteous; for they be the progeny of peaceful people.)