Psalm 37

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Psalm Overview 37
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They will soon wither

Introduction

Overview

Purpose: To encourage the righteous not to be upset by the success of the wicked, but to trust in YHWH and do good.

Content: The wicked will be destroyed, and the righteous will possess the land. Therefore, don't get upset about the wicked! Trust in YHWH and do good!

Message: The wicked will not last for long. It is the righteous who will possess the land.

Background Ideas

  • YHWH is the judge of all the earth who rewards the righteous and punishes the wicked (see Gen 18:25).
  • The success of the wicked poses a perennial challenge to the idea of YHWH's justice (see Jer 12:1; Mal 3:14-15; Ps 73; Job 20-21; cf. The Babylonian Theodicy VII, XXIII in COS 1.154).
  • YHWH promised to give the land of Canaan to Abraham and his descendants (see Gen 12:7; 15:7, 18-21), and in the conquest of Canaan under Joshua, YHWH fulfilled his promise (see Josh 21:43-45; Jdg 2:6; 1 Kgs 8:56). But Israel's continued possession of the land depended on their faithfulness to the covenant (see Lev 26; Deut 28; cf. Ezra 9:10-12; 1 Chron 28:8) (cf. Martin 2013).
  • In the end, "all of [YHWH's] people will be righteous, and they [i.e., the righteous] will possess the land forever" (Isa 60:21; cf. Isa 57:13; 65:9; Jer 30:3; Gen 13:15; 17:8; 48:4; Exod 32:13; Josh 14:9).

Background Situation

Psalm 037 - Background situation.jpg

Sections

Psalm 037 - At-a-glance updated.jpg

Videos



Video files

  • The script for the Overview video is available here.
  • The slides for the Overview video are available here.

Translation Aids

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  3. TRANSLATE THE PSALM IN THE APPROPRIATE LOCAL ART/POETRY GENRE.

Translation and Performance Notes

TPNs are an at-a-glance reference for anyone involved with translating or checking a translation of the psalm. Specific words, phrases, and images that could be difficult to understand or to translate are highlighted, and then briefly discussed. Each note is intended to help the reader understand the meaning of the Hebrew word or phrase in its context, as well as provide a few translation options or suggestions, often pulling from existing translations. Where pertinent, our preferred translation option is given. NOTE: These notes are intended to supplement a robust internalization of the psalm, not replace it. Translation Challenges for Psalm 37 not available yet.

Close-but-Clear Translation

1. By David. Do not get upset about those who act wickedly;
Do not be jealous of those who do wrong.
2. For they will soon wither like grass,
and they will fade like green leaves on plants.
3. Trust in YHWH and do good!
Reside in the land and graze securely!
4. And then you will delight yourself in YHWH,
and he will give you your heart’s desires.
5. Commit your way to YHWH,
and trust in him, and he will act,
6. and he will make your righteousness known like the light,
and [he will make] your justice [known] like midday.
7. Be silent before YHWH and wait for him!
Do not get upset about someone who makes his way successful,
about a person carrying out schemes.
8. Let go of anger and leave wrath behind!
Do not get upset, only to act wickedly!
9. For those who act wickedly will be destroyed;
but those who hope in YHWH—they will possess the land.
10. And just a little bit longer, and the wicked person will be gone;
And you will look closely at the place where he was, and he will not be there.
11. But the humble will possess the land
and delight themselves in great prosperity.
12. The wicked person is plotting against the righteous person
and grinding his teeth at him.
13. The Lord laughs at him,
because he sees that his time will come.
14. The wicked have drawn swords
and strung their bows
in order to bring down the one who is afflicted and poor,
in order to slaughter those whose conduct is upright.
15. Their swords will go into their own hearts
and their bows will be broken.
16. A little belonging to the righteous person is better
than the abundance of many wicked people.
17. For the arms of the wicked will be broken,
but YHWH is upholding the righteous.
18. YHWH knows the days of the blameless,
and their inheritance will be forever.
19. They will not come to shame during hard times,
and they will eat their fill during times of famine.
20. For the wicked will perish,
and YHWH’s enemies [will perish] like flowers in a pasture.
They are finished like smoke! They are finished!
21. The wicked person is borrowing and will not repay,
but the righteous person is giving generously.
22. For those blessed by him will possess the land,
and those cursed by him will be destroyed.
23. When a person’s steps are made steadfast by YHWH,
then he will be pleased with his way.
24. When he falls, he will not fall flat,
because YHWH is supporting his hand.
25. I was once a young man, and now I am old,
and I have not seen a righteous person abandoned
or his children looking for food.
26. He is always lending generously,
and his children will become a blessing.
27. Turn away from evil and do good,
and you will reside forever!
28A. For YHWH loves justice,
and he will not abandon those who are loyal to him.
30. A righteous person’s mouth utters what is wise,
and his tongue speaks what is just.
31. The instruction of his God is in his heart.
His steps will not slip.
28B. Wrong-doers are exterminated,
and the children of the wicked are destroyed!
29. The righteous will possess the land
and reside on it forever.
32. The wicked person is watching for the righteous person
and trying to kill him.
33. YHWH will not abandon him into his hand,
and he will not let him be condemned as guilty when he enters into judgment.
34. Hope in YHWH and keep his way,
and he will exalt you to possess the land.
You will see when the wicked are destroyed.
35. I once saw a ruthless wicked person,
and he was ascending like a native tree.
36. Then I passed by, and—get this!—he was gone;
then I looked for him, and he was not found.
37. Pay attention to the blameless one, and look at the upright one,
because the future of a [blameless] person is peace.
38. But those who rebel are completely exterminated!
The future of the wicked is destroyed!
39. But the salvation of the righteous comes from YHWH,
their fortress during times of trouble,
40. and YHWH helps them and rescues them.
He will rescue them from the wicked and save them,
because they have sought refuge in him.



Explore the Layers

Exegetical Issues

  • The Text, Grammar, and Meaning of Ps 37:20
  • The Text of Ps 37:28
  • The Text and Meaning of Ps 37:35b
  • Grammar

    Semantics

    Lexical and Phrase-level Semantics

    Verbal Semantics

    Story Behind the Psalm (Unit-level Semantics)

    Discourse

    Participant Analysis

    Macrosyntax

    Speech Act Analysis

    Emotional Analysis

    Repeated Roots

    Poetics

    Poetic Structure & Features

    Verse-by-Verse Notes

    View all of Psalm 37 Verse-by-Verse Notes, or click on an individual verse below.