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Psalms 37:1 open_in_new
Psalms 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
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Psalms 37:3 open_in_new
Trust. Confide in. Hebrew. batah. App-4
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Psalms 37:5 open_in_new
Commit. Roll upon, or Repose on. Compare Psalms 55:22. Hebrew. galal. App-69
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Psalms 37:6 open_in_new
judgment. vindication. Some codices, with six early printed editions and Syriac, read plural, "vindications". plural of majesty. thy complete vindication.
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Psalms 37:7 open_in_new
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.
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Psalms 37:9 open_in_new
be cut off: i.e. die. Used of Messiah (Daniel 9:26), whose resurrection was sure. (Psalms 16, &c).
the earth. the land, as in Psalms 37:3; Psalms 37:29; Psalms 37:34.
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Psalms 37:10 open_in_new
wicked. lawless (plural) Hebrew. rasha'. App-44.
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Psalms 37:11 open_in_new
But the meek. patient oppressed ones. Quoted in Matthew 5:5.
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Psalms 37:13 open_in_new
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.
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Psalms 37:14 open_in_new
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".
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Psalms 37:17 open_in_new
the righteous. (Plural.)
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Psalms 37:18 open_in_new
knoweth. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6, for regarding with affection or favour. Compare Psalms 1:6; Psalms 31:7.
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Psalms 37:20 open_in_new
into. Some codices, with Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read "like".
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Psalms 37:21 open_in_new
sheweth mercy. is gracious.
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Psalms 37:22 open_in_new
of. Genitive of Cause. by: i.e. His blessed ones.
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Psalms 37:23 open_in_new
good man. Hebrew. geber. App-14. IV
ordered. prepared, or made firm.
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Psalms 37:24 open_in_new
hand. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia. App-6.
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Psalms 37:26 open_in_new
ever. all the day, or all day long.
merciful. gracious.
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Psalms 37:27 open_in_new
dwell. Figure of speech Heterosis (of Mood), App-6, imperative mood for indicative mood. thou shalt dwell.
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Psalms 37:28 open_in_new
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 1Ch 3:11, 1 Chronicles 3:12.
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Psalms 37:29 open_in_new
the land. See note on "the earth", Psalms 37:9.
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Psalms 37:30 open_in_new
the righteous. a righteous one.
judgment. justice.
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Psalms 37:31 open_in_new
God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4.
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Psalms 37:35 open_in_new
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.
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Psalms 37:36 open_in_new
he. Aramaean, Septuagint, and Vulg, read "I".
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Psalms 37:37 open_in_new
the end. the hereafter, or future.
peace: or wellbeing.
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Psalms 37:38 open_in_new
transgressors. Hebrew. pasha'. App-44.
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Psalms 37:39 open_in_new
But. Some codices, with Syriac and Vulgate, omit "But", thus making the Tau the first letter instead of the second.
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Psalms 37:40 open_in_new
deliver. have made them escape. trust in. fled for refuge to. Hebrew. hasah. App-69.