The LORD knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be for ever.
The Lord knoweth ... - in contrast to Psalms 37:13, "The Lord ... seeth that his (the wicked man's) day (of destruction) is coming." "The Lord knoweth" (i:e., taketh account of) implies Yahweh's special providence; also His love, recognizing them as His own, ordering the length of their earthly "days" (cf. Psalms 119:84), and the most minute events affecting their welfare in each day (Romans 8:28; Psalms 31:15), and finally giving them length of days for ever and ever (Exodus 2:25, margin; Psalms 1:6). He cares for them "in the days of famine" (Psalms 37:19), as in the days of plenty. So He cared for Jeremiah during the famine caused by the siege (Jeremiah 37:21; Psalms 33:19). Where it is for their good, He "prolongeth (their) days," as in Hezekiah's case (Isaiah 38:5; cf. Exodus 23:26, end). Whenever they die, it is not prematurely; but the years of the wicked shall be shortened (Proverbs 10:27). When He removes His people early, as in Abijah's case (1 Kings 14:13; Isaiah 57:1), it is in order to "take" them "away from the evil to come." Whether their earthly days be long or short, in heaven "their inheritance shall be for ever." Compare 1 Peter 1:4,
[kaph (k)]