Psalms 37:17-27

17 For the arms of the wicked shall be broken : but the LORD upholdeth the righteous.

18 The LORD knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be for ever.

19 They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied .

20 But the wicked shall perish , and the enemies of the LORD shall be as the fat of lambs: they shall consume ; into smoke shall they consume away .

21 The wicked borroweth , and payeth not again : but the righteous sheweth mercy , and giveth .

22 For such as be blessed of him shall inherit the earth; and they that be cursed of him shall be cut off .

23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.

24 Though he fall , he shall not be utterly cast down : for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.

25 I have been young, and now am old ; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken , nor his seed begging bread.

26 He is ever merciful , and lendeth ; and his seed is blessed.

27 Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore.

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.

Footnotes

• [a]. the fat: Heb. the preciousness
• [b]. ordered: or, established
• [c]. ever: Heb. all the day