Psalms 37:35

35 I have seen a wicked and ruthless man flourishing like a luxuriant native tree,

Psalms 37:35 in Other Translations

35 I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree.

35 I have seen a wicked, ruthless man, spreading himself like a green laurel tree.

35 I have seen wicked and ruthless people flourishing like a tree in its native soil.

35 I saw Wicked bloated like a toad, croaking pretentious nonsense.

35 I have seen a wicked, violent man well-rooted like a flourishing native tree.

Psalms 37:35 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 37:35

I have seen the wicked in great power
Meaning some particular person invested with great power, in great authority among men, one of the spiritual wickednesses in high places; such a man as Haman in Ahasuerus's court; and though the psalmist does not choose to mention his name, he doubtless had him in his mind; as either Saul, or Doeg the Edomite, or Ahithophel, or some such man, who was in an exalted station of life; and it may be when he himself was in low and distressed circumstances: the word used ^F3 signifies one formidable and terrible, striking terror to all around; of whom others are afraid, as Aben Ezra interprets it, ( Isaiah 29:20 ) ( 49:25 ) ;

and spreading himself like a green bay tree:
or like one that grows up out of the earth of itself, and is in its native soil, and very flourishing: and the metaphor denotes an increase of riches and honour, and a seemingly settled state in the enjoyment of such outward felicity; so Jarchi interprets it (vyrvm) , "taking root"; as well as such a man's glorying in and boasting of his affluence and fulness; see ( Psalms 73:12 ) ( Jeremiah 12:1 Jeremiah 12:2 ) ( Psalms 49:6 ) . Aben Ezra explains it of a wicked man's openly committing iniquity, declaring his sin as Sodom, and glorying in his shame; but rather it denotes a man in great authority and esteem, as a man crowned with laurels, and in a very exalted and triumphant state.

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FOOTNOTES:

F3 (Uyde) "terrificam", Montanus, Vatablus; "terribilem ant formidabilem", Gejerus, Michaelis; "daunting, terrible", Ainsworth.

Psalms 37:35 In-Context

33 but the LORD will not leave them in the power of the wicked or let them be condemned when brought to trial.

34 Hope in the LORD and keep his way. He will exalt you to inherit the land; when the wicked are destroyed, you will see it.

35 I have seen a wicked and ruthless man flourishing like a luxuriant native tree,

36 but he soon passed away and was no more; though I looked for him, he could not be found.

37 Consider the blameless, observe the upright; a future awaits those who seek peace.

Cross References

• 1. S Job 5:3