Bible Commentaries
Psalms 37

Verse 1

Psalms 37:0 is an Acrostic Psalm (see App-63 ), having four lines (a quatrain) assigned to each successive letter of the alphabet, except the fourth (Psalms 37:7 ), the eleventh (Psalms 37:20 ), the nineteenth (Psalms 37:34 ), which each have three lines (a triplet) assigned to them. These three triplet verses occur in perfect order. The seventh verse is the seventh letter from the beginning; the thirty-fourth verse is the seventh letter from the end; while the middle verse (Psalms 37:20 ) marks the end of the first half with the first of the two middle letters.

Title, of David = by David, and relating to the true David. The Psalm is Messiah's admonition as to present blessing, arising from the fact that Jehovah is His Shepherd.

Fret not = Heat not thyself with vexation.

evildoers. Compare Psalms 36:11 , Psalms 36:12 . Hebrew ra'a'. App-44 . Hebrew 'aval . App-44

Verse 3

Trust = Confide in. Hebrew. batah. App-4

Verse 5

Commit = Roll upon, or Repose on. Compare Psalms 55:22 . Hebrew. galal. App-69

Verse 6

judgment = vindication. Some codices, with six early printed editions and Syriac, read plural, "vindications" = plural of majesty = thy complete vindication.

Verse 7

Rest. Hebrew be silent for: i.e. wait for, or stand still. Compare Psalms 62:5 .Exodus 14:13 .

man. Hebrew 'ish. App-14

wicked. Hebrew 'dshah. App-44 .

Verse 9

be cut off: i.e. die. Used of Messiah (Daniel 9:26 ), whose resurrection was sure. (Psalms 16:0 , &c).

the earth = the land, as in Psalms 37:3 , Psalms 37:29 , Psalms 37:34 .

Verse 10

wicked = lawless (plural) Hebrew. rasha'. App-44 .

Verse 11

But the meek = patient oppressed ones. Quoted in Matthew 5:5 .

Verse 13

The LORD*. Hebrew. Jehovah. Altered by the Sopherim to Adonai. App-32 .

laugh. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia. App-6 .

day = judgment. "Day" put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), App-6 , for the judgment then to be executed.

is coming. So some codices, with Aram, and Syriac Hebrew text = will come.

Verse 14

the poor and needy = a poor and needy one.

of upright conversation = upright in the (or their) way: i.e. in life. Some codices, with Septuagint and Vulgate, read "upright in heart".

Verse 17

the righteous. (Plural.)

Verse 18

knoweth. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6 , for regarding with affection or favour. Compare Psalms 1:6 ; Psalms 31:7 .

Verse 20

into. Some codices, with Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read "like".

Verse 21

sheweth mercy = is gracious.

Verse 22

of. Genitive of Cause = by: i.e. His blessed ones.

Verse 23

good man. Hebrew. geber . App-14 . IV

ordered = prepared, or made firm.

Verse 24

hand. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia. App-6 .

Verse 26

ever = all the day, or all day long.

merciful = gracious.

Verse 27

dwell. Figure of speech Heterosis (of Mood), App-6 , imperative mood for indicative mood = thou shalt dwell.

Verse 28

saints = favoured, or gracious ones.

They, &c. The letter Ayin is hidden behind the Preposition Lamed , in the first word "for ever" (Hebrew. le'olam ,). Dr. John Lightfoot says it is cut off like the "seed" of the "wicked" in same clause, both these words ending with Ayin . He sees in this the seed of Joram being cut off (i.e. Ahaziah, Joash, and Amaziah. Matthew 1:8 ). Compare with 1Ch 3:11 , 1 Chronicles 3:12 .

Verse 29

the land. See note on "the earth", Psalms 37:9 .

Verse 30

the righteous = a righteous one.

judgment = justice.

Verse 31

God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4 .

Verse 35

the wicked = a lawless man.

in great power = ruthless.

a green bay tree = a green tree in its native soil. Septuagint and Syriac read "cedars in Lebanon". Compare Hosea 14:6 .

Verse 36

he. Aramaean, Septuagint, and Vulg, read "I".

Verse 37

the end = the hereafter, or future.

peace: or wellbeing.

Verse 38

transgressors. Hebrew. pasha'. App-44 .

Verse 39

But. Some codices, with Syriac and Vulgate, omit "But", thus making the Tau the first letter instead of the second.

Verse 40

deliver = have made them escape. trust in = fled for refuge to. Hebrew. hasah. App-69 .