Psalm 37/Notes/Lexical.vv. 1-2.572115
From Psalms: Layer by Layer
v. 1b: The verb רעע in the hiphil means “to treat badly, make difficulties for someone, cause injury” (TLOT). In Ps 37, the participle מרעים is partially synonymous with עשי עולה (v. 1), רשׁעים (vv. 9, 12, 14, etc.), and so it has a clear moral dimension: "[those who] act wickedly" (SDBH). The מרעים rebel against YHWH's authority (cf. v. 38) and are thus considered "YHWH's enemies" (v. 20).