Psalm 37 38

Psalm 37:38 kjv

But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off.

Psalm 37:38 nkjv

But the transgressors shall be destroyed together; The future of the wicked shall be cut off.

Psalm 37:38 niv

But all sinners will be destroyed; there will be no future for the wicked.

Psalm 37:38 esv

But transgressors shall be altogether destroyed; the future of the wicked shall be cut off.

Psalm 37:38 nlt

But the rebellious will be destroyed;
they have no future.

Psalm 37 verses

Psalm 37 38 Meaning

Psalm 37:38 proclaims the inevitable and comprehensive destruction of the wicked, asserting that those who intentionally rebel against God's ways will be annihilated, and their legacy, including their descendants or future influence, will be utterly terminated. This verse provides assurance that divine justice will ultimately prevail, contrasting the fleeting prosperity of evil with their ultimate and irreversible doom.

Psalm 37 38 Context

Psalm 37 is a wisdom psalm, presented as an alphabetic acrostic, offering encouragement to those who observe the temporary prosperity of the wicked and feel frustrated or envious. Its central theme is the contrasting destinies of the righteous and the wicked. The psalm exhorts the righteous to "fret not," to "trust in the LORD," and to "wait patiently" because God, in His perfect timing, will surely administer justice. Verse 38 specifically concludes a segment (vv. 37-40) that summarizes the ultimate outcome predicted throughout the psalm: while the righteous endure and inherit the earth (v.37), the wicked face certain and total destruction. This contrasts with common ancient Near Eastern beliefs where gods could be capricious or allow evil to flourish unchecked, asserting instead the unwavering moral order and just governance of Yahweh.

Psalm 37 38 Word analysis

• But (וְ - we): This conjunctive particle introduces a stark contrast, directly opposing the destiny of the upright (v. 37) with that of the transgressors. It signals a dramatic shift in outcome, emphasizing the dichotomous paths laid out in the psalm.
• transgressors (פֹּשְׁעִים - pōš‘îm): From the root פָּשַׁע (pasha‘), meaning "to rebel, transgress, revolt." This term denotes active and willful rebellion against God's law or established moral order. It signifies a profound spiritual departure and defiance, rather than accidental sin. These are individuals characterized by a settled lifestyle of wrongdoing.
• shall be destroyed (נִשְׁמְדוּ - nišmədû): This is the Niphal perfect form of the verb שָׁמַד (shamad), meaning "to annihilate, exterminate, wipe out." The Niphal stem denotes a passive action, implying that God is the agent of this destruction. The perfect tense indicates a completed action, underscoring the certainty and finality of this judgment. It signifies a thorough and complete eradication, leaving nothing remaining.
• together (יַחְדָּו - yaḥdāw): This adverb emphasizes the collective nature of the judgment. All transgressors, without exception or distinction, will face this unified demise. It reinforces the completeness of their destruction, as no one among them will escape their common fate.
• the posterity (אַחֲרִית - ʾaḥărît): Meaning "end, aftermath, future, ultimate issue, last estate, descendants, posterity." Here, it specifically refers to the offspring or future lineage. This highlights the comprehensive scope of the judgment, which extends beyond the individual's lifetime to affect their continuation and legacy. For ancient cultures, one's enduring legacy was heavily tied to one's descendants, so this loss signifies ultimate ruin.
• of the wicked (רְשָׁעִים - rəšāʿîm): From the root רָשַׁע (rasha‘), describing those whose actions are consistently evil, unrighteous, and unjust. This is a common biblical antithesis to "righteous," representing individuals fundamentally opposed to God's character and commandments. It encapsulates their moral condition and identifies the recipients of this specific aspect of judgment.
• shall be cut off (נִכְרָתָה - nikh'rāthâ): This is the Niphal perfect of כָּרַת (karat), meaning "to cut off, eliminate, utterly destroy." Similar to shamad, it signifies decisive and absolute termination. It's often used in the Bible for divine judgment, implying removal from existence or severing a lineage/covenant relationship. The Niphal perfect again signifies the action is completed by divine will, irreversible and absolute.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "But transgressors shall be destroyed together": This phrase directly contrasts with the prior verse's assurance for the righteous. It speaks to a communal and total annihilation of those who defy God. The deliberate nature of their "transgression" justifies the comprehensive and universal judgment. This destruction is not piecemeal but engulfs all identified as transgressors, emphasizing divine impartiality and thoroughness in judgment.
• "the posterity of the wicked shall be cut off": This extends the severe judgment beyond the individual wicked person to their future existence, signifying a complete and utter termination of their line or legacy. In a cultural context where lineage and progeny represented enduring life and honor, to be "cut off" from one's posterity was the ultimate curse, a wiping out of one's memory and influence from the earth. It demonstrates the enduring, intergenerational consequences of unrepentant wickedness in God's eyes.

Psalm 37 38 Bonus section

• The Hebrew verb shamad (destroyed) implies not just removal but often carries the nuance of utter devastation, sometimes applied to cities or nations that are entirely eradicated. Its pairing with karat (cut off) reinforces this idea of absolute termination, ensuring no remnant.
• The Psalm offers a theological polemic against the idea that God is either indifferent to injustice or incapable of meting out retribution. It strongly affirms God's active involvement and moral governance in human history.
• This verse stands in direct theological contrast to Proverbs 10:7, "The memory of the righteous is a blessing, but the name of the wicked will rot," amplifying the psalmist's message of complete erasure for the wicked.
• The concepts of "transgressors" (pasha‘) and "wicked" (rasha‘) highlight different facets of unrighteousness: pasha‘ often implies a rebellious breaking of a bond or law, while rasha‘ refers more broadly to general moral depravity or guilt. Together, they capture the totality of ungodly living.

Psalm 37 38 Commentary

Psalm 37:38 is a climactic declaration within a psalm focused on God's unwavering justice and faithfulness. It provides a solemn warning and a profound assurance. For those struggling to comprehend the temporary success of evildoers, this verse unequivocally declares that such prosperity is ephemeral. The terms "destroyed" and "cut off," rendered in the definitive perfect tense in Hebrew, denote an accomplished, irreversible act by God, not merely a future possibility. The destruction is presented as absolute, applying to all transgressors collectively and even extending to their future legacy, meaning their name and influence will not continue. This strong statement reinforces God's sovereignty over the affairs of humanity and His commitment to establishing moral order, contrasting the momentary triumphs of the wicked with their certain, catastrophic, and lasting doom.