Psalms 37:18-28

18 The blameless spend their days under the LORD’s care, and their inheritance will endure forever.

19 In times of disaster they will not wither; in days of famine they will enjoy plenty.

20 But the wicked will perish: Though the LORD’s enemies are like the flowers of the field, they will be consumed, they will go up in smoke.

21 The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous give generously;

22 those the LORD blesses will inherit the land, but those he curses will be destroyed.

23 The LORD makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him;

24 though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand.

25 I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread.

26 They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be a blessing.^[a]

27 Turn from evil and do good; then you will dwell in the land forever.

28 For the LORD loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones. Wrongdoers will be completely destroyed^[b] ; the offspring of the wicked will perish.

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.

Cross References

• 1. S Job 23:10; Psalms 44:21; Psalms 1:6
• 2. ver 27,29
• 3. S Psalms 34:21
• 4. Psalms 68:2; Psalms 102:3; Isaiah 51:6
• 5. S Leviticus 25:35; Psalms 112:5
• 6. S Job 5:3; Proverbs 3:33
• 7. ver 9
• 8. S Numbers 14:8; Psalms 147:11
• 9. S Job 11:15; S Psalms 7:9; Psalms 66:9; 1 Samuel 2:9
• 10. S Psalms 13:4; Psalms 27:2; Psalms 38:17; Psalms 55:22; Psalms 119:165; Proverbs 3:23; Proverbs 10:9; Proverbs 24:16
• 11. 2 Chronicles 9:8; Psalms 41:12; Psalms 145:14; Psalms 147:6
• 12. ver 28; S Genesis 15:1; Hebrews 13:5
• 13. Psalms 111:5; Psalms 145:15; Mark 10:46
• 14. S Leviticus 25:35
• 15. Deuteronomy 28:4; Psalms 112:2; Psalms 147:13
• 16. Psalms 34:14; 3 John 1:11
• 17. S Numbers 24:21
• 18. S Deuteronomy 7:6; S Psalms 18:25; S Psalms 97:10
• 19. S Genesis 17:14; S Deuteronomy 32:26; Proverbs 2:22; Psalms 21:10; Isaiah 14:20

Footnotes

• [a]. Or "freely;" / "the names of their children will be used in blessings" (see Gen. 48:20); or "freely;" / "others will see that their children are blessed"
• [b]. See Septuagint; Hebrew "They will be protected forever"