Psalms 37:17-27

17 For the arms of the wicked will be broken, but ADONAI upholds the righteous.

18 ADONAI knows what the wholehearted suffer, but their inheritance lasts forever.

19 They will not be distressed when times are hard; when famine comes, they will have plenty.

20 For the wicked will perish; ADONAI's enemies will be like sheep fat, ending up as smoke, finished.

21 The wicked borrows and doesn't repay, but the righteous is generous and gives.

22 For those blessed by [ADONAI] will inherit the land, but those cursed by him will be cut off.

23 ADONAI directs a person's steps, and he delights in his way.

24 He may stumble, but he won't fall headlong, for ADONAI holds him by the hand.

25 I have been young; now I am old; yet not once have I seen the righteous abandoned or his descendants begging for bread.

26 All day long he is generous and lends, and his descendants are blessed.

27 If you turn from evil and do good, you will live safely forever.

Psalms 37:17-27 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.