Psalm 37 14

Psalm 37:14 kjv

The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, and to slay such as be of upright conversation.

Psalm 37:14 nkjv

The wicked have drawn the sword And have bent their bow, To cast down the poor and needy, To slay those who are of upright conduct.

Psalm 37:14 niv

The wicked draw the sword and bend the bow to bring down the poor and needy, to slay those whose ways are upright.

Psalm 37:14 esv

The wicked draw the sword and bend their bows to bring down the poor and needy, to slay those whose way is upright;

Psalm 37:14 nlt

The wicked draw their swords
and string their bows
to kill the poor and the oppressed,
to slaughter those who do right.

Psalm 37 verses

Psalm 37 14 Meaning

Psalm 37:14 describes the active malice of the wicked, who are depicted as deliberately preparing for violence. They equip themselves with deadly weapons—swords and bows—with the specific intent of harming the vulnerable and the morally upright. Their goal is to cast down the poor and needy, both literally and figuratively bringing them to ruin, and to slay those who live righteously, showing a complete disdain for godly conduct and social justice. This verse highlights the profound antagonism between the unrighteous and the righteous within society.

Psalm 37 14 Context

Psalm 37 is a wisdom psalm, contrasting the destinies of the righteous and the wicked. It is an alphabetic acrostic, a literary device aiding memory and structuring themes. The psalmist, David, encourages believers not to fret over the apparent prosperity of the wicked or their aggressive actions. Instead, he exhorts them to trust in the Lord, do good, and wait patiently for God's justice. The historical context reflects a common challenge in ancient Israel and throughout human history: seeing the ungodly flourish and seemingly overcome the righteous, leading to questioning of divine justice. This psalm serves as a reassurance that God sees and will ultimately act, reversing the roles of oppressor and oppressed. Verse 14 specifically portrays the concrete, malicious intent of the wicked, setting the stage for the divine intervention promised in subsequent verses. It stands in direct contrast to God's care for the poor and His call for justice found throughout the law and prophets.

Psalm 37 14 Word analysis

• The wicked (Heb. rasha' - רָשָׁע): Refers to those who are morally evil, unjust, and hostile toward God and His ways. Their character is inherently contrary to righteousness, marking them as active agents of chaos and oppression.
• have drawn out (Heb. shālap̄ - שָׁלַף): To draw out, unsheathe. This indicates a deliberate act of preparing for immediate and violent aggression. It signifies an unveiled readiness for conflict rather than covert planning.
• the sword (Heb. ḥereḇ - חֶרֶב): A weapon of close combat, symbolizing direct, fatal attack, often with ruthless intent. It speaks of a physical, brutal assault.
• and have bent (Heb. dāraḵ - דָּרַךְ): To tread, step on, or bend, as a bow. This implies a purposeful, preparatory action, demonstrating forethought and readiness for offensive action.
• their bow (Heb. qešet - קֶשֶׁת): A weapon used for ranged attacks, signifying potential for distant or ambushing violence. It suggests a premeditated strike, often from a hidden position or with deceit.
• to cast down (Heb. nāphal - נָפַל): To fall, throw down, ruin, or bring low. This refers to the wicked's aim to cause downfall, whether through physical harm, social degradation, or economic ruin.
• the poor (Heb. ‘āniy - עָנִי): Describes those who are afflicted, humble, or economically deprived. They are vulnerable, often oppressed, and depend on God for help.
• and needy (Heb. ‘eḇyôn - אֶבְיוֹן): Denotes one who is destitute, utterly impoverished, or craving sustenance. This term often appears alongside ‘aniy, emphasizing their utter state of helplessness and dependency.
• and to slay (Heb. ṭābaḥ - טָבַח): To slaughter, kill. This is a strong verb indicating brutal, ruthless killing, often implying a massacre or extensive destruction.
• such as be of upright conversation (Heb. yišrēy dereḵ - יִשְׁרֵי־דָרֶךְ): Literally, "those whose way is upright" or "the upright of path." "Conversation" here refers to one's conduct, manner of living, or moral integrity. These are individuals who live righteously according to God's standards.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow": This phrase paints a picture of active, dual-mode preparation for hostility. It signifies a comprehensive and premeditated intent to inflict harm, encompassing both immediate, close-range violence (sword) and distant, calculated attacks (bow). It speaks of a mindset fixed on aggressive confrontation.
• "to cast down the poor and needy": This highlights the wicked's targets: the most vulnerable members of society. Their goal is not just harm, but specifically to bring about the complete collapse or destruction of those already in distress, often for personal gain or to assert power. This demonstrates a deep injustice and cruelty, as they exploit the weak.
• "and to slay such as be of upright conversation": This reveals a deeper, spiritual enmity. The wicked not only target the economically and socially disadvantaged but also those who live with integrity and godliness. Their ultimate desire is to eliminate those who reflect righteousness, revealing their opposition to God's character and truth. It shows their animosity is against upright conduct itself.

Psalm 37 14 Bonus section

• Futility of Wicked Plans: Despite their thorough preparations and wicked intent described in verse 14, Psalm 37:15 immediately assures that their weapons will be turned back upon them, and their bows will be broken. This illustrates a divine law of retribution often seen in the Scriptures, where the plans of the wicked become their own undoing.
• Symbolic Violence: While the language is literal regarding swords and bows, these also symbolize various forms of aggressive, destructive acts, including legal maneuvering, slander, financial exploitation, and social ostracism, all aimed at the vulnerable and righteous.
• Polemics against Human Injustice: This verse, and indeed the entire Psalm 37, acts as a polemic against the ancient and persistent belief that might makes right, or that God does not intervene in earthly injustices. It counters the worldly view that prosperity is a sign of divine favor, regardless of one's actions, affirming instead God's moral governance of the world.
• Suffering of the Righteous: The verse underscores a harsh reality faced by believers throughout history—that their commitment to righteousness can often make them targets of malice, especially when coupled with social or economic vulnerability. Yet, the Psalm’s overall message is one of enduring hope and trust in God’s ultimate justice.

Psalm 37 14 Commentary

Psalm 37:14 vividly portrays the malicious intent and active aggression of the ungodly against the righteous and vulnerable. The depiction of the wicked drawing their swords and bending their bows signifies deliberate preparation for comprehensive assault, employing both immediate and distant forms of attack. Their chosen targets are precise: "the poor and needy" represent the economically and socially marginalized, while "such as be of upright conversation" speaks to those who live with integrity and moral righteousness. This indicates that the wicked’s enmity is not merely against the weak, but against virtue and God's order itself. Their ambition is to "cast down" (to bring to ruin, degrade) and "slay" (to kill mercilessly), illustrating the extent of their depravity. This verse sets up the stark contrast with God’s unwavering justice and His eventual vindication of the righteous, which is elaborated upon in subsequent verses of the psalm, such as Psalm 37:15, where the wicked's own weapons are prophesied to turn against them. It is a timeless observation of spiritual conflict where active evil opposes goodness.