Psalm 37 25

Psalm 37:25 kjv

I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.

Psalm 37:25 nkjv

I have been young, and now am old; Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, Nor his descendants begging bread.

Psalm 37:25 niv

I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread.

Psalm 37:25 esv

I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread.

Psalm 37:25 nlt

Once I was young, and now I am old.
Yet I have never seen the godly abandoned
or their children begging for bread.

Psalm 37 verses

Psalm 37 25 Meaning

Psalm 37:25 is a powerful statement of King David’s lifelong observation concerning the faithfulness of God toward the righteous and their descendants. It conveys a deep conviction, drawn from personal experience spanning youth to old age, that God never completely abandons His righteous people, nor allows their children to fall into such extreme destitution that they must beg for basic sustenance. It reassures believers of God's unfailing providential care and sustenance for those who live according to His ways.

Psalm 37 25 Context

Psalm 37 is a wisdom psalm, likely composed as a didactic poem to instruct the godly on how to navigate a world where the wicked often appear to prosper while the righteous suffer. It takes the form of an acrostic (though incomplete in some sections), a common literary device in Hebrew poetry to aid memorization and convey completeness. The psalm consistently contrasts the temporal success and ultimate downfall of the wicked with the present trials and ultimate vindication of the righteous. David advises trusting in the Lord, doing good, being still, and committing one’s way to Him, rather than fretting over the apparent prosperity of evildoers. Verse 25 stands as a profound summary of David’s life experience and a core assertion of divine providence, reinforcing the psalm's central theme that God will indeed care for His own. Historically, it reflects the challenges faced by Israelites observing injustice in society and grappling with the problem of evil. It directly opposes the common perception that immediate material prosperity is the sole indicator of God's favor or lack thereof, asserting a deeper, generational, and unfailing care.

Psalm 37 25 Word analysis

• I have been young, and now am old:
  • I have been young: The Hebrew word for 'young' is na'ar (נַ֫עַר), which can refer to a youth, servant, or lad. Here it indicates David’s earliest experiences. It speaks of a specific vantage point: an individual’s formative years when one is impressionable and learning.
  • and now am old: The Hebrew word for 'old' is zaqen (זָקֵן), referring to an aged person. This phrase emphasizes the breadth of David's observation—spanning an entire lifetime, from the vigor of youth to the wisdom of old age. This gives his declaration considerable weight, indicating deep personal experience and sustained empirical evidence, not merely a transient observation or abstract theological assertion. It implies long reflection and confirmation.
• yet have I not seen:
  • yet: A strong adversative conjunction, highlighting the contrast with common human perception or experience. It introduces a statement that defies a negative expectation.
  • have I not seen: This is a powerful rhetorical device using a negative question to make a strong positive affirmation. It implies certainty and indisputability based on personal witness. It’s an emphatic "Never have I seen!" This negates the possibility of the perceived phenomenon occurring within David's comprehensive life experience.
• the righteous forsaken:
  • the righteous: The Hebrew word is tsaddiq (צַדִּיק), referring to someone who is just, upright, innocent, and stands in a right relationship with God, characterized by integrity and adherence to God's laws and ways. It is not about human perfection but a life oriented towards God.
  • forsaken: The Hebrew verb is ʿāzav (עָזַב), meaning to abandon, leave, neglect, or desert completely. When used in relation to God, it signifies a withdrawal of His presence, care, or support. The phrase signifies a complete lack of divine sustenance or protection. The "not seen forsaken" points to continuous divine upholding.
• nor his seed begging bread:
  • nor his seed: "Seed" is zera' (זֶרַע) in Hebrew, meaning offspring, progeny, or descendants. This extends the promise beyond the individual righteous person to their entire lineage, emphasizing generational blessing and covenantal faithfulness. It connects individual piety to corporate or family well-being.
  • begging bread: This refers to the most dire form of poverty and destitution, implying total lack of provision and survival on charity. "Bread" (lechem לֶחֶם) represents basic sustenance or daily food. "Begging" implies a public act of shame and ultimate need. David affirms that the righteous and their children are spared from such profound public humiliation and deprivation.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "I have been young, and now am old, yet have I not seen": This phrase functions as a comprehensive life testimony. It establishes the speaker’s authority and the weight of his declaration. The emphasis is on prolonged, consistent observation that defies a potential human skepticism regarding divine care amidst apparent worldly injustice. It is an argument from extensive personal experience.
• "the righteous forsaken": This group highlights the foundational theological assertion—that God will not utterly abandon those in covenant relationship with Him who walk righteously. This refers to their overall spiritual well-being, protection, and fundamental needs, not necessarily absence of trial or hardship, but ultimate destitution and divine neglect.
• "nor his seed begging bread": This expands the assurance of God’s care to future generations of the righteous. It's a statement about enduring lineage and generational faithfulness in God's provision. It also defines the minimum threshold of God’s provision: basic needs will be met, preventing extreme, shameful poverty for the descendants of the godly. This promise encompasses both material well-being (bread) and social standing (not begging).

Psalm 37 25 Bonus section

• The Nature of "Righteous": The 'righteous' in this context are not perfect people, but those who are justified by faith (as understood more fully in the New Testament) and live in integrity, aligning their ways with God's commandments. Their righteousness is a walk of faith and obedience, trusting God rather than relying on worldly wealth or methods.
• Divine Sovereignty and Human Responsibility: This verse speaks to divine provision, but it doesn't negate human responsibility for diligence, hard work, or wise stewardship (e.g., Prov 6:6-11; 2 Thess 3:10). Rather, it underscores that even when human efforts might seem to fail, God's providence ensures ultimate sufficiency for the righteous and their lineage.
• Profound Cultural Impact of "Begging Bread": In ancient near Eastern cultures, begging was associated with the lowest rung of society and carried immense shame. The promise that the "seed" would not resort to this speaks powerfully to the social and economic well-being assured by God's faithfulness, beyond mere physical survival.
• Long-term vs. Short-term Observation: David's statement challenges a purely short-term perspective that might fret over momentary struggles. His observation spans a lifetime, confirming that while the righteous may face trials, their ultimate condition and the destiny of their families are secured by divine favor. It implicitly contrasts with the short-lived prosperity of the wicked as discussed elsewhere in the Psalm (e.g., v. 2, 10, 20, 35-36).

Psalm 37 25 Commentary

Psalm 37:25 articulates a profound truth about God's enduring character: His unfailing faithfulness to the righteous. It is not a guarantee of wealth or an easy life, but an assurance that those who trust and follow God will always have their fundamental needs met and will not be ultimately abandoned to despair or utter destitution. This declaration, made by King David from a lifetime of experience, stands as a testimony against the often-observed phenomenon of the wicked prospering. It counters the temptation to envy the wicked or lose hope when difficulties arise, redirecting focus to God's steadfast care which extends not just to the individual but also to their descendants, a significant blessing in ancient and biblical culture. The "righteous" are those whose life is characterized by trust, obedience, and dependence on God, rather than relying on their own resources or worldly systems.