Psalm 37 28

Psalm 37:28 kjv

For the LORD loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.

Psalm 37:28 nkjv

For the LORD loves justice, And does not forsake His saints; They are preserved forever, But the descendants of the wicked shall be cut off.

Psalm 37:28 niv

For the LORD loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones. Wrongdoers will be completely destroyed; the offspring of the wicked will perish.

Psalm 37:28 esv

For the LORD loves justice; he will not forsake his saints. They are preserved forever, but the children of the wicked shall be cut off.

Psalm 37:28 nlt

For the LORD loves justice,
and he will never abandon the godly.
He will keep them safe forever,
but the children of the wicked will die.

Psalm 37 verses

Psalm 37 28 Meaning

Psalm 37:28 states that the Lord, by His very nature, deeply values and consistently upholds what is right and fair. Because of this unwavering attribute, He will never abandon or cease to uphold those who are devoted to Him. These faithful ones are supernaturally kept safe and maintained perpetually, signifying an eternal security. Conversely, those who actively defy God and live wickedly will face ultimate annihilation and removal from His presence and blessings, and their very legacy will cease.

Psalm 37 28 Context

Psalm 37 is a wisdom psalm, presented as an alphabetic acrostic in its original Hebrew (though not perfectly sustained throughout). It addresses the perplexing issue of why the wicked often seem to prosper while the righteous suffer—a central concern for the faithful. The psalmist, David, offers counsel and assurance to those tempted to be envious or dismayed by the apparent success of evildoers. The central theme is trust in the Lord and patience, as God's justice will ultimately prevail, revealing the temporary nature of the wicked's prosperity versus the enduring inheritance of the righteous. Verse 28 serves as a foundational declaration explaining why the righteous will not ultimately fail and why the wicked's success is fleeting; it is because of God's unchanging character—His love for justice and His unwavering faithfulness. This verse reinforces the ultimate outcome predicted throughout the psalm, contrasting God's eternal preservation of His covenant people with the certain eradication of the wicked's line. The historical-cultural context acknowledges the common Near Eastern belief that blessings and curses manifested corporately and in a lineage, not just individually.

Psalm 37 28 Word analysis

• For: kî (כִּי). This Hebrew particle often introduces a causal explanation, providing the reason or foundation for the previous statements (e.g., the admonition not to fret). It establishes a direct link between God's character and His actions regarding the righteous and the wicked.
• the LORD: Yahweh (יְהוָה). The covenant name of God, emphasizing His personal, relational, and unchanging nature. This name signifies His faithfulness to His promises and His steadfast love for His people. The Lord's actions are rooted in His covenant character.
• loves: ’ōhēv (אֹהֵב). An active participle, indicating a continuous and active disposition of deep affection and commitment. It is not a passive or fleeting sentiment but an inherent and persistent characteristic of God. This love is fundamental to His being and directly influences His governance.
• justice: mišpāṭ (מִשְׁפָּט). This term encompasses more than just legal judgments; it refers to rectitude, what is right, fair, and just according to divine standards. It's about administering righteous governance, upholding moral order, and ensuring equity. God's very being is aligned with righteousness and order.
• he will not forsake: lo'-ya‘azōv (לֹא־יַעֲזֹב). A strong negative coupled with the verb ‘āzav (to abandon, relinquish, neglect). This signifies God's absolute commitment and steadfast faithfulness. He will not desert, withdraw support from, or forget His own.
• his saints: ḥăsîḏâv (חֲסִידָיו). Literally, "His faithful ones" or "His pious ones." These are individuals who display ḥeseḏ (loyal love, covenant faithfulness, kindness) towards God, and who are recipients of God's ḥeseḏ. They are marked by their devotion and integrity, reflecting God's own character.
• They are preserved: nišmārû (נִשְׁמָרוּ). This is a passive form of šāmar (to keep, guard, preserve, watch over), indicating that the preservation is a result of divine action. God Himself is actively safeguarding them. This goes beyond mere protection to signify being kept in a state of blessing and security.
• forever: lê‘ôlām (לְעוֹלָם). This word denotes eternity, perpetuity, or for an indefinitely long period. In this context, given the contrast with being "cut off," it points to enduring preservation, hinting at a security that transcends temporary earthly conditions and suggests an eternal destiny.
• but: The transition from the positive declaration about the righteous to the negative about the wicked. The Hebrew uses the conjunction wāw (וְ) often translated "and," but its contrasting nature here effectively serves as "but."
• the offspring: zera‘ (זֶרַע). Meaning "seed," "posterity," "descendants." In ancient Israel, the continuation of one's lineage was vital, representing continuity, legacy, and blessings. Its fate often mirrored the parent's spiritual standing.
• of the wicked: rəšā‘îm (רְשָׁעִים). Those who are guilty, lawless, ungodly; individuals who oppose God and His standards. Their defining characteristic is a disregard for divine justice and righteousness.
• shall be cut off: niḵrāt (נִכְרָת). A verb often used for divine judgment. It implies extermination, severance, or removal from blessing, land, or existence among God's people. This signifies a definitive and destructive end, contrasted with the perpetual preservation of the righteous. It conveys not just death, but the end of their legacy and the extinguishing of their influence.

Words-group analysis:

• For the LORD loves justice: This phrase establishes God's fundamental nature and governing principle. His actions flow from His inherent character. It's a declaration of divine righteousness as the bedrock of creation's moral order.
• he will not forsake his saints. They are preserved forever: This speaks to the unwavering, enduring fidelity of God towards those who are faithful to Him. It emphasizes both God's active, intentional safeguarding and the perpetual duration of this divine protection, assuring His people of their eternal security.
• but the offspring of the wicked shall be cut off: This presents a stark, non-negotiable consequence for those who defy God's justice. It highlights divine judgment not just on individuals, but on their lineage, indicating the complete and final eradication of their presence and influence from the land of blessing. This reinforces God's uncompromising application of justice.

Psalm 37 28 Bonus section

The concept of ḥeseḏ is critical to understanding "saints" (ḥăsîḏâv) in this verse. It describes God's covenant love and loyalty, which His people are expected to reciprocate. When believers embody ḥeseḏ, they align with God's character and become recipients of His preserving ḥeseḏ. The emphasis on "offspring" (seed) in relation to both blessing and cursing reflects ancient Near Eastern thought, where family lines and national destiny were intricately linked to the actions and covenant standing of individuals or generations. This is not strictly a genetic curse but indicates a spiritual and existential cutoff, meaning their legacy of wickedness will not endure or thrive under God's righteous rule, which is fulfilled ultimately in the Kingdom of Christ. This verse undergirds the concept of the two ways (righteous and wicked) that permeates much of wisdom literature and provides an early glimpse of the eschatological destinies ultimately revealed more fully in the New Testament.

Psalm 37 28 Commentary

Psalm 37:28 profoundly reveals the consistent nature of God's character and its implications for humanity. God is inherently just and righteous; His very being loves mišpāṭ, what is equitable and true. This is not a mere preference but an immutable attribute that guides all His actions. Consequently, His interaction with humanity is directly aligned with this love for justice. For "His saints" (ḥăsîḏâv), those who live righteously and in covenant loyalty, God's love translates into unfailing preservation. This protection is not temporary but "forever," assuring ultimate, eternal security that transcends earthly trials or temporal death. It speaks to a deep, unbreakable bond of divine faithfulness that keeps them, body and spirit, secure in His purposes.

In stark contrast, God's justice also mandates the severe judgment of the wicked. Their prosperity is illusory and short-lived. The declaration that their "offspring shall be cut off" underscores the totality of divine judgment, encompassing their legacy and their very existence in the context of God's blessings. It means their influence, their lineage, and their portion in the good things God has prepared will be definitively terminated. This verse, therefore, serves as a powerful reminder of divine order: faithfulness to God leads to eternal preservation, while wickedness leads to eternal cessation from His presence and blessing, ultimately bringing comfort to the righteous who trust in God's perfect timing and righteous administration.