Psalm 37:35-36

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 37:35

I have seen the wicked in great power, and flourishing like a green bay tree ; rather, as in the margin, like a green tree in his own (or, his native ) soil. Growing, i.e; rankly and luxuriantly, like a leafy shrub, that has never suffered transplantation (comp. Psalms 1:3 ; Ezekiel 31:3 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 37:36

Yet he passed away, and lo, he was not (cf. Job 20:5 ; Psalms 73:19 , Psalms 73:20 ). Yea, I sought him, but he could not be found . The sudden disappearance of an imposing personality astonishes and confuses us. We cannot believe that one who has played so prominent a part in our drama of life is gone altogether. We look about for him; we expect him to reappear at any moment. We cannot realize the fact that he is vanished for ever. We ask ourselves, "Where is he?' ( Job 20:7 ). read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 37:35

I have seen - I have had an opportunity, in my long life Psalms 37:25, of witnessing the accuracy of the statement just made, that a righteous man may live to see a confirmation of the truth that wickedness, however prosperous the wicked man may be, will lead to ultimate ruin - as I have had an opportunity of seeing Psalms 37:25-26 the effect of a course of righteousness on the ultimate prosperity and happiness of its possessor. The same experience, with the same result, is referred to in Job... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 37:36

Yet he passed away - Compare the notes at Job 20:5. The allusion here, of course, is to the man, and not to the tree, though the grammatical construction might refer to either. The idea is that he passed out of view - “he was gone;” he had no permanent abode on earth, but with all his pomp and splendor he had disappeared. Neither his prosperity, his greatness, nor his wealth, could secure him a permanent abode on earth. It might be said, also, in reply to this, that the good man passes away and... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 37:35-36

Psalms 37:35-36. I have seen the wicked in great power Hebrew, עריצ , gnaritz, violent, or formidable: not only himself out of danger, as it seemed, but terrible to others; and spreading himself And therefore firmly and deeply rooted; like a green bay-tree Which is continually green and flourishing, yea, even in the winter season. Hebrew, כאזרח , cheezrach, sicut arbor indigena virens, like a green native plant, or a green tree in its native soil, where trees flourish much... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Psalms 37:1-40

Psalms 37:0 Opposite destiniesThis psalm is an acrostic and a wisdom poem. (Concerning acrostics see notes on Psalms 9:0 and 10. Concerning wisdom literature see introductory notes to Job.) Other wisdom poems are found in Psalms 10:14, 19, 49, 73 and 112.On seeing how wicked people prosper, believers may be tempted to envy them or, worse still, to doubt God’s goodness. The reminder given in this psalm is that no one should judge by outward appearances. The prosperity of worthless people will be... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Psalms 37:35

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 . read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Psalms 37:36

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

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Psalms 37:35

FINAL CONTRAST OF THE RIGHTEOUS AND WICKED"I have seen the wicked in great power,And spreading himself like a green tree in its native soil.But one passed by, and, lo, he was not:Yea, I sought him, but he could not be found.Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright;For there is a happy end to the man of peace,As for transgressors, they shall be destroyed together:The end of the wicked shall be cut off.But the salvation of the righteous is of Jehovah:He is their stronghold in the time of... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Psalms 37:35

Psalms 37:35. Spreading himself like a green bay-tree— Like a native plant, or a tree in its native soil. Mudge. Like a flourishing cedar. Houbigant, after the LXX, and many of the ancient versions. See Psalms 92:12. He likewise reads the beginning of the next verse after the same versions, and with much propriety, I passed by. read more

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