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Bible Commentaries
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 24
hand. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia. App-6 .
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 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 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 .
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Bullinger, Ethelbert William. "Commentary on Psalms 37". "Bullinger's Companion bible Notes". https://studylight.org/
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