Keraia
Psalm 37

Psalm 37:17

Delight Yourself in the LORD · Psalm 37:1–40
Read Psalm 37

Translations

Modern
For the arms of the wicked will be broken, but the LORD upholds the righteous.
Traditional
For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the Lord upholdeth the righteous.
Literal
For the arms of the wicked will be broken, and YHWH upholds the righteous.
Latin
…quoniam brachia peccatorum conterentur: confirmat autem justos Dominus.

Original

Hebrew
English
For the arms of the wicked will be broken, but the LORD upholds the righteous.

Notes

Psalms 37:12–17

The wicked seek to destroy the Lord’s order, but he defeats them.

Psalms 37:1–40

This psalm addresses the issues raised in Psalm 36:

  • How should the godly react to evil?

  • When will the Lord bring justice?

  • Why does he allow the wicked to harm his creation?

Psalm 37 provides clear answers that reduce the tensions of life (Psalm 37:1–9, 34) and promise that the meek will have a future (Psalm 37:10–11, 39–40).

The contrast between the godly and the wicked highlights the uselessness of foolishness (Psalm 37:12–24, 27–33). The psalmist's personal insights add a human element (Psalm 37:25–26, 35–38). He encourages viewing the land's inheritance with a long-term perspective: The earth belongs to the Lord, who will give it to those he blesses—the humble and godly who trust, hope, and follow him (see Psalm 37:9, 11, 22, 29, 34; see also Isaiah 57:13; Matthew 5:5).

Theme notes and profiles

David Inheriting the Land Wisdom Psalms

Parallels

1 Kings 2:1–9

Glossary

Acrostic David Inheritance Music Poetry, Biblical Poor, the Proverbs, Book of Psalms, Book of Wisdom Literature

Topics

Blessing: Spiritual, from God God: Preserver Power of God: Upheld By Protection is Granted to Saints in Upholding Them The Power of God: Saints: Upheld By Wicked (People): Contrasted with Righteous People Wicked (People): Punishment of