The wicked plotteth against the just (comp. Psalms 31:13 ; Psalms 35:4 , Psalms 35:7 , etc.). Wicked men commonly lay their plots against the righteous, as being less likely to suspect them, and perhaps as less likely to resist their machinations. And gnasheth upon him with his teeth (comp. Psalms 35:16 ). read more
The righteous and the wicked. The argument is continued and repeated in various forms, that the righteous is to hold fast his confidence in God, and not to be discouraged by the prosperity of the wicked. For— I. CONSIDER THE EXPERIENCE OF THE WICKED . ( Psalms 37:12-15 , Psalms 37:20 .) 1 . The impotence of the plots which they in their anger devise. ( Psalms 37:12 , Psalms 37:13 .) The Lord shall laugh. "No weapon formed against him shall prosper." 2 . ... read more
The Lord shall laugh at him (comp. Psalms 2:4 ; Psalms 59:8 ; and see the comment on the former passage). For he seeth that his day is coming ; i.e. God sees that the day of the wicked man's visitation is approaching. read more
The wicked have drawn out the sword, and bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy . David is perhaps thinking especially of his own persecutors, Saul and Absalom, who pursued after him with armed men, and sought his life ( 1 Samuel 23:8 , 1 Samuel 23:14 , 1 Samuel 23:26 ; 1 Samuel 24:2 ; 1 Samuel 26:2 ; 2 Samuel 17:24-26 ; 2 Samuel 18:6-8 ). But he may also have in his mind the raids that powerful chiefs made upon their weak and peaceful neighbours ( Job 24:5-12 ). And... read more
The wicked plotteth against the just - Margin, “practiceth.” The Hebrew word means to plot; to lie in wait; to plan; to purpose; to devise. See Psalms 31:13. The meaning is, that wicked people lay their plans against the righteous, but that they will not be able to carry them out, or accomplish them, for they will be cut off, and the Lord will protect His friends.And gnasheth upon him with his teeth - An expression of rage or anger. See the notes at Psalms 35:16. read more
The Lord shall laugh at him - See the notes at Psalms 2:4. That is, he will regard all his attempts as vain - as not worthy of serious thought or care. The language is that which we use when there is no fear or apprehension felt. It is not that God is unfeeling, or that he is disposed to deride man, but that he regards all such efforts as vain, and as not demanding notice on the ground of anything to be apprehended from them.For he seeth that his day is coming - The day of his destruction or... read more
The wicked have drawn out the sword - That is, they have prepared themselves with a full purpose to destroy the righteous.And have bent their bow - literally, “have trodden the bow,” in allusion to the method by which the bow was bent: to wit, by placing the foot on it, and drawing the string back.To cast down the poor and needy - To cause them to fall.And to slay such as be of upright conversation - Margin, as in Hebrew: “the upright of way.” That is, those who are upright in their manner of... read more
Psalms 37:12-13. The wicked plotteth against the just There is a rooted enmity in the seed of the wicked one against the righteous seed: their aim is, if they can, to destroy their righteousness; if that fail, then to destroy them. To this end they plot, or act with a great deal of policy and contrivance; and gnasheth upon him with his teeth Out of malice and rage. They join zeal and fury to craft and subtlety, inflamed with eager desire to have it in their power to destroy them, and... read more
Psalms 37:14-15. The wicked have drawn out the sword, &c. They are furnished with all sorts of arms, and are ready to give the deadly blow. To slay such as be of upright conversation Those against whom they have no quarrel, for any injury they have done them; but only for their integrity and righteousness, or because they are better than themselves, and will not comply with their wicked counsels and courses. Their sword shall enter into their own heart God will not only defend the... read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 37:1-40
Two pictures. The psalmist says, at Psalms 37:25 , "I have been young, and now am old . " We may regard him therefore as speaking in this psalm with the fulness of knowledge and the confidence of ripened wisdom. His old experience has attained to prophetic strain. Let us consider two pictures. I. THE EVILS OF ENVY . It is common. It takes its rise and works upon the lower part of our nature, blinding our minds, perverting our hearts, and stirring up all our evil passions.... read more