Psalms 37:14-24

14 Bullies brandish their swords, pull back on their bows with a flourish. They're out to beat up on the harmless, or mug that nice man out walking his dog.

15 A banana peel lands them flat on their faces - slapstick figures in a moral circus.

16 Less is more and more is less. One righteous will outclass fifty wicked,

17 For the wicked are moral weaklings but the righteous are God-strong.

18 God keeps track of the decent folk; what they do won't soon be forgotten.

19 In hard times, they'll hold their heads high; when the shelves are bare, they'll be full.

20 God-despisers have had it; God's enemies are finished - Stripped bare like vineyards at harvest time, vanished like smoke in thin air.

21 Wicked borrows and never returns; Righteous gives and gives.

22 Generous gets it all in the end; Stingy is cut off at the pass.

23 Stalwart walks in step with God; his path blazed by God, he's happy.

24 If he stumbles, he's not down for long; God has a grip on his hand.

Psalms 37:14-24 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.