Psalms 37:17

17 The arms of the wicked will be broken, but the LORD supports the righteous.

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 the sword of the wicked will enter their own hearts! Their bows will be broken!
16 Better is the little that the righteous have than the overabundant wealth of the wicked.
17 The arms of the wicked will be broken, but the LORD supports the righteous.
18 The LORD is intimately acquainted with the lives of the blameless; their heritage will last forever.
19 They won't be ashamed in troubling times, and in a period of famine they will eat their fill.
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