Bible Commentaries

Psalm 37 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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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".

the righteous. (Plural.)

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

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

sheweth mercy = is gracious.

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

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

ordered = prepared, or made firm.

hand. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia. App-6.

ever = all the day, or all day long.

merciful = gracious.

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

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 1 Chronicles 3:11, 1 Chronicles 3:12.

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

the righteous = a righteous one.

judgment = justice.

God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4.

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.

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

the end = the hereafter, or future.

peace: or wellbeing.

transgressors. Hebrew. pasha". App-44.

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

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