Psalm 37:17

17 Denn der Gottlosen Arm wird zerbrechen; aber der HERR erhält die Gerechten.

Psalm 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".

Psalm 37:17 In-Context

15 Aber ihr Schwert wird in ihr Herz gehen, und ihr Bogen wird zerbrechen.
16 Das wenige, das ein Gerechter hat, ist besser als das große Gut vieler Gottlosen.
17 Denn der Gottlosen Arm wird zerbrechen; aber der HERR erhält die Gerechten.
18 Der HERR kennt die Tage der Frommen, und ihr Gut wird ewiglich bleiben.
19 Sie werden nicht zu Schanden in der bösen Zeit, und in der Teuerung werden sie genug haben.
The Luther Bible is in the public domain.