Psalm 37 35

Psalm 37:35 kjv

I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree.

Psalm 37:35 nkjv

I have seen the wicked in great power, And spreading himself like a native green tree.

Psalm 37:35 niv

I have seen a wicked and ruthless man flourishing like a luxuriant native tree,

Psalm 37:35 esv

I have seen a wicked, ruthless man, spreading himself like a green laurel tree.

Psalm 37:35 nlt

I have seen wicked and ruthless people
flourishing like a tree in its native soil.

Psalm 37 verses

Psalm 37 35 Meaning

The Psalmist, reflecting on personal experience, observed individuals devoted to unrighteousness, who appeared to possess formidable and often oppressive power. They seemed to thrive and expand without hindrance, likened to a robust, native tree growing vigorously in its own fertile ground, conveying an illusion of strength, permanence, and self-sufficiency.

Psalm 37 35 Context

Psalm 37 is an acrostic (or alphabetic) wisdom psalm of David, intended to counsel believers facing the troubling reality of the wicked prospering while the righteous suffer. It consistently advises trust, patience, doing good, and committing one's way to the Lord, assuring that God's justice will ultimately prevail. The Psalmist presents his observations from a long life (Ps 37:25), offering comfort and a steadying perspective amidst the apparent inconsistencies of life. Verse 35 serves as a direct example of the disorienting observations that prompt the faithful to fret (as mentioned in Ps 37:1, 7-8). It illustrates the stark contrast between how the wicked appear to thrive and how their destiny truly unfolds, a theme immediately continued in the next verse (Ps 37:36) which shows their sudden disappearance. The historical context reflects a common ancient Near Eastern dilemma: the prosperity of the unrighteous challenging the concept of divine justice, a topic explored in Job and Ecclesiastes as well.

Psalm 37 35 Word analysis

• I have seen: This emphasizes the Psalmist's personal, lived observation (ra'iti, רָאִיתִי). It is not an abstract theological statement but an account of experience, giving the message authenticity and relatability. It reflects a deep human struggle with what is visibly apparent versus what is divinely promised.
• the wicked: The Hebrew word rasha' (רָשָׁע) denotes someone guilty, unjust, impious, morally wrong, and in opposition to God and His laws. It refers to those who intentionally walk away from righteousness.
• in great power: The KJV's "in great power" translates the Hebrew word arits (עָרִיץ), which carries the stronger connotation of being terrible, ruthless, violent, or tyrannical. It suggests an oppressive, intimidating display of strength, not just power, making their prosperity even more jarring and unsettling to the observer.
• and spreading himself: The Hebrew mitareh` (מִתְעָרֶה) is a participle that implies a process of luxuriant growth or extending oneself broadly and unhindered. It conjures an image of unchecked, vigorous expansion, without apparent limits or consequences, much like a vine or tree allowed to grow wild.
• like a green bay tree: The Hebrew phrase k'ezrach raanan` (כְּאֶזְרָח רַעֲנָן).
  • 'ezrach (אֶזְרָח) means "native" or "indigenous." It points to a tree that grows naturally and vigorously in its native soil, implying strong roots and a healthy, self-sufficient life. It’s not necessarily a specific "bay tree" (laurel), but rather any robust, native tree. This term highlights the illusion that the wicked are firmly established and intrinsically strong.
  • raanan` (רַעֲנָן) means "green," "flourishing," "fresh," "vigorous." It emphasizes the lushness and vitality of the tree, adding to the visual of robust and apparent prosperity.

Words-group analysis

• I have seen the wicked: The opening sets the stage as a direct testimony based on personal experience. The Psalmist's seeing of the wicked indicates a confrontational observation, which the entire Psalm seeks to address and resolve through faith in God's ultimate justice.
• in great power, and spreading himself: This phrase captures the immediate, alarming impression of the wicked's strength and expansive influence. It speaks to the oppressive nature of their dominion and their seemingly unhindered increase in prominence. This perception of formidable power often instills fear and doubt in the observer regarding divine oversight.
• like a green bay tree: This vivid simile provides a powerful visual metaphor for the wicked's apparent condition. The imagery of a robust, flourishing, native tree, rooted deep in its own ground, symbolizes deep-seated strength, inherent vitality, and abundant, natural growth. It powerfully conveys the deceptive impression of unassailable permanence and prosperity enjoyed by the ungodly, which the following verse then quickly dispels.

Psalm 37 35 Bonus section

The term ezrach (אֶזְרָח) literally means "native" or "home-born." In a broader biblical context, it refers to those born in the land of Israel, distinguishing them from foreigners or sojourners. Its use here for a tree subtly implies a natural, rightful rootedness or belonging, enhancing the illusion that the wicked's prosperity is deeply natural and perhaps even divinely ordained (which the Psalm then explicitly contradicts). The Psalmist's emphasis on "I have seen" sets up a contrast between merely superficial observation (seeing the flourishing tree) and profound spiritual discernment (understanding its fleeting nature through God's revealed truth). It calls believers not to judge by appearances alone, but to wait on the Lord, acknowledging that human observation of injustice is often limited in time and perspective compared to God's eternal purpose and unfolding justice.

Psalm 37 35 Commentary

Psalm 37:35 encapsulates a universal human dilemma: the visible, unsettling prosperity of the wicked. The Psalmist, through his lifetime observations, describes the ungodly in positions of immense and often tyrannical power, flourishing seemingly unchecked like a vibrant, deeply rooted tree native to its environment. This creates an illusion of invincibility, stability, and enduring success for the wicked, which can cause profound distress and doubt among the righteous. The verse, however, is not a final statement but a setting of the problem, leading immediately to the crucial resolution in verse 36, where the "tree" metaphor swiftly fades as the wicked vanish. The point is to acknowledge the deceptive outward appearance of their power, but to remember it is only a fleeting display compared to God's eternal truth and justice. The true, lasting reality is not what the eye sees in the short term, but what God orchestrates in the long term for both the wicked and the righteous.

• Practical example: Consider a corrupt leader who seems to accumulate wealth and influence effortlessly, expanding their reach and crushing opposition, leading many to wonder if morality truly matters. This verse describes the "sight" of such a person.