Psalms 37:18-28

18 Jod The LORD knows the days of the perfect, 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 Caph But the wicked shall perish, and the enemies of the LORD as the fattest of rams shall be consumed; as smoke they shall fade away.

21 Lamed The wicked borrows and does not repay: but the righteous shows mercy and gives.

22 For such as are blessed of him shall inherit the earth, and those that are cursed of him shall be cut off.

23 Mem The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD, and he delights in his way.

24 Though he falls, he shall not be utterly cast down, for the LORD upholds him with his hand.

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

26 He is ever merciful and lends, and his seed is a blessing.

27 Samech Depart from evil, and do good, and thou shalt live for evermore.

28 For the LORD loves uprightness and does not forsake his merciful ones; they are preserved for ever, but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.

Psalms 37:18-28 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.