Psalm 37 26

Psalm 37:26 kjv

He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed.

Psalm 37:26 nkjv

He is ever merciful, and lends; And his descendants are blessed.

Psalm 37:26 niv

They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be a blessing.

Psalm 37:26 esv

He is ever lending generously, and his children become a blessing.

Psalm 37:26 nlt

The godly always give generous loans to others,
and their children are a blessing.

Psalm 37 verses

Psalm 37 26 Meaning

Psalm 37:26 describes a hallmark characteristic of the righteous individual, elaborating on the blessing they experience, as introduced in verse 25. The verse posits that the righteous person is consistently generous, exhibiting a spirit of benevolence through constant lending or giving. As a direct consequence or divine reward for this virtuous conduct, their descendants are said to receive blessing. This blessing encompasses not merely material prosperity, but also spiritual well-being, favor, and security, indicating an enduring legacy of God's favor extending to future generations.

Psalm 37 26 Context

Psalm 37 is a wisdom psalm, presented as an alphabetic acrostic, a literary device common in Hebrew poetry. The overarching theme of the psalm is a divine reassurance to the righteous who observe the apparent prosperity and success of the wicked, urging them not to "fret" or be envious. Instead, the psalmist, King David, counsels unwavering trust in the Lord, commitment to doing good, quiet waiting on God, and righteous living. Verse 26 falls within a section (verses 21-26) that elaborates on the contrast between the unrighteous, who borrow and do not repay, and the righteous, who generously give. It emphasizes the stable and prosperous future of the righteous, which extends even to their offspring, contrasting with the eventual downfall of the wicked and their seed. The historical context reflects a society where observing justice and benevolence was crucial, and a righteous life, marked by integrity and generosity, was understood to attract God's enduring favor across generations.

Psalm 37 26 Word analysis

• He is ever lending generously (Hebrew: כָּל־הַיּוֹם הוּא חונֵ֣ן וּמַלְוֶה - kol-hayyom hu chonen umalve)
  • כָּל־הַיּוֹם (kol-hayyom): Literally "all the day," signifying continuity, constancy, or perpetually. This highlights the ongoing, consistent nature of the righteous person's generosity, not just an occasional act.
  • הוּא (hu): "He," referring to the righteous man established and blessed by God.
  • חונֵ֣ן (chonen): Participle from the verb חָנַן (chanan), meaning "to be gracious, to show favor, to be merciful." This word denotes an attitude of unearned benevolence, kindness, and compassion that precedes the act of giving. It implies not just the act of giving but the generous spirit behind it.
  • וּמַלְוֶה (umalve): "And lending." Participle from the verb לָוָה (lavah), meaning "to lend, to borrow." In ancient Near Eastern contexts, lending, especially without interest, was often an act of social welfare, assisting the needy rather than merely making an investment. It demonstrates active, practical love for one's neighbor, consistent with Mosaic law. The coupling of chanan (graciousness) with lavah (lending) emphasizes that the lending is born out of compassion, not profit motive.
• and his children (Hebrew: וְזַרְע֥וֹ - v'zar'o)
  • וְזַרְע֥וֹ (v'zar'o): "And his seed," "his offspring," or "his descendants." This term broadly refers to one's posterity. The Hebrew worldview placed significant importance on lineage and the continuation of the family line, seeing the blessing or curse of God extending to future generations.
• become a blessing (Hebrew: לִבְרָכָֽה - livrakhah)
  • לִבְרָכָֽה (livrakhah): "For a blessing" or "into a blessing." The preposition לְ (le) signifies purpose, result, or state. This implies that their children don't just receive a blessing, but they are a blessing themselves—a source of blessing to others, or demonstrably blessed individuals who testify to God's favor. This encompasses well-being, prosperity (not limited to material wealth), favor from God, safety, and an overall good and flourishing life. It highlights an enduring legacy where the righteous one's faithful actions produce intergenerational favor and flourishing.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "He is ever lending generously": This phrase encapsulates the core action and character of the righteous person described. It highlights consistent (ever, kol-hayyom) active generosity (lending) stemming from a compassionate heart (generously, chonen). It is not passive charity but proactive, regular support for those in need. This speaks to the embodiment of practical righteousness in daily life.
• "and his children become a blessing": This describes the profound and enduring consequence of the righteous person's actions. The reward extends beyond the individual to their posterity. It signifies divine affirmation and covenantal faithfulness, where the parents' upright conduct ensures a legacy of favor for their descendants. The "blessing" can be manifest in various ways: divine protection, prosperity, wisdom, spiritual flourishing, and even becoming a source of blessing for their community, thus echoing the Abrahamic covenant (Gen 12:2-3).

Psalm 37 26 Bonus section

The concept of "lending" in this verse should not be narrowly interpreted as merely a financial transaction. Given the agricultural society and the Mosaic Law's injunctions against interest for fellow Israelites (Deut 23:19-20), "lending" here is more accurately understood as a compassionate extension of resources, whether food, seed, or tools, to aid those in temporary distress, without expectation of profit. It reflects the heart of Exodus 22:25 and Deuteronomy 15:7-11, where God commands His people to open their hands to the needy. The "blessing" upon the children, therefore, is not a guarantee of material wealth, but rather encompasses divine favor, spiritual inheritance, and a heritage of well-being that guards against the forsaken state of the wicked. It underlines the enduring principle that living in alignment with God's generous character creates a legacy of divine favor across generations, a testament to God's covenant faithfulness to those who obey Him.

Psalm 37 26 Commentary

Psalm 37:26 provides a profound insight into God's economy of generosity and blessing. It contrasts sharply with the common perception that immediate gains define success. The righteous individual, driven by a spirit of compassion (rooted in God's own character, Who "graces" and gives), is depicted not just as giving, but as consistently lending freely. This isn't mere philanthropy; in an agrarian society, lending to the needy often meant life support, fulfilling the heart of the Law to care for the poor. The continuous nature of their generosity – "ever" or "all the day long" – suggests it's an ingrained part of their character, a lifestyle. The result is not merely personal enrichment but an intergenerational legacy: "his children become a blessing." This is a powerful declaration that righteousness and a heart of liberal generosity are not only good in themselves but are divinely acknowledged with enduring favor upon one's descendants. It implies that a life lived in accordance with God's will leaves a positive spiritual and material inheritance, where the children themselves embody and extend God's blessing. This transcends the physical, suggesting divine favor in their spiritual walk and overall well-being.

• Example: A family known for faithfully tithing, helping the impoverished in their community, and raising their children with Christian values, finds that their children and grandchildren also develop strong faith, a desire to serve others, and experience God's provision in their lives, often citing the foundational generosity of their forebears as an inspiration.