Psalms 37:21

21 The wicked borrow and never pay back, but good people are generous with their gifts.

Psalms 37:21 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 37:21

The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again
While the wicked live, they are scandalous; they live by borrowing, which was always reckoned mean; see ( Deuteronomy 28:12 Deuteronomy 28:44 ) ( Proverbs 22:7 ) ; and what is worse, as they borrow, they do not design to repay; they take no care nor thought about that, but live upon what they borrow: for this either expresses their incapacity that they cannot pay; or the evil disposition of their mind, which rather seems to be the sense, that they will not pay;

but the righteous showeth mercy, and giveth;
which not only argues capacity and ability, but a kind, merciful, and tender spirit to persons in distress, and is expressive of a generous action.

Psalms 37:21 In-Context

19 They will not suffer when times are bad; they will have enough in time of famine.

20 But the wicked will die; the enemies of the Lord will vanish like wild flowers; they will disappear like smoke.

21 The wicked borrow and never pay back, but good people are generous with their gifts.

22 Those who are blessed by the Lord will possess the land, but those who are cursed by him will be driven out.

23 The Lord guides us in the way we should go and protects those who please him.