Psalms 37:11-21

11 But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy peace and prosperity.
12 The wicked plot against the righteous and gnash their teeth at them;
13 but the Lord laughs at the wicked, for he knows their day is coming.
14 The wicked draw the sword and bend the bow to bring down the poor and needy, to slay those whose ways are upright.
15 But their swords will pierce their own hearts, and their bows will be broken.
16 Better the little that the righteous have than the wealth of many wicked;
17 for the power of the wicked will be broken, but the LORD upholds the righteous.
18 The blameless spend their days under the LORD’s care, and their inheritance will endure forever.
19 In times of disaster they will not wither; in days of famine they will enjoy plenty.
20 But the wicked will perish: Though the LORD’s enemies are like the flowers of the field, they will be consumed, they will go up in smoke.
21 The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous give generously;

Psalms 37:11-21 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.

Cross References 18

  • 1. S Numbers 14:24; Matthew 5:5
  • 2. S Leviticus 26:6; S Numbers 6:26
  • 3. Psalms 2:1; Psalms 31:13
  • 4. S Job 16:9; Psalms 35:16; Psalms 112:10
  • 5. 1 Samuel 26:10; Psalms 2:4; Ezekiel 12:23
  • 6. S Psalms 22:20
  • 7. Psalms 11:2
  • 8. S Psalms 35:10
  • 9. S Psalms 9:16
  • 10. S 1 Samuel 2:4; Psalms 46:9; Jeremiah 49:35
  • 11. Proverbs 15:16; Proverbs 16:8
  • 12. Job 38:15; Psalms 10:15
  • 13. Psalms 41:12; Psalms 140:12; Psalms 145:14; Psalms 146:7
  • 14. S Job 23:10; Psalms 44:21; Psalms 1:6
  • 15. ver 27,29
  • 16. S Psalms 34:21
  • 17. Psalms 68:2; Psalms 102:3; Isaiah 51:6
  • 18. S Leviticus 25:35; Psalms 112:5
Scripture quoted by permission.  Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.  NIV®.  Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica.  All rights reserved worldwide.