Psalm 37 40

Psalm 37:40 kjv

And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him.

Psalm 37:40 nkjv

And the LORD shall help them and deliver them; He shall deliver them from the wicked, And save them, Because they trust in Him.

Psalm 37:40 niv

The LORD helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him.

Psalm 37:40 esv

The LORD helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him.

Psalm 37:40 nlt

The LORD helps them,
rescuing them from the wicked.
He saves them,
and they find shelter in him.

Psalm 37 verses

Psalm 37 40 Meaning

Psalm 37:40 assures that the Lord intervenes for those who have placed their trust in Him, granting them aid, liberation, and ultimate salvation from the perils posed by the wicked. It emphasizes the direct correlation between sincere reliance on God and His unwavering commitment to rescue His devoted ones.

Psalm 37 40 Context

Psalm 37 is a wisdom psalm structured in an acrostic (though imperfect) form, instructing the faithful on how to live in a world where the wicked often seem to prosper while the righteous suffer. It addresses the common struggle of reconciling God's justice with observable reality. Throughout the psalm, David, inspired by the Holy Spirit, contrasts the temporary, fleeting prosperity of the wicked with the enduring, blessed inheritance of the righteous. Key exhortations include: "Fret not" (v. 1, 7, 8), "Trust in the Lord" (v. 3, 5), "Delight yourself in the Lord" (v. 4), and "Commit your way to the Lord" (v. 5). The psalm progressively reveals that the apparent success of the wicked is ephemeral, leading to their eventual demise, while the patient and trusting righteous will inherit the earth and enjoy lasting peace and prosperity. Verse 40 serves as a summary and powerful culmination of these promises, reinforcing God's unwavering commitment to His people, rooted in their active trust and dependence on Him. Historically, this theme addresses perennial human questioning about divine justice, common in Israel and throughout the ancient Near East, challenging the notion that material prosperity is always a direct indicator of divine favor or that immediate consequences define righteousness.

Psalm 37 40 Word analysis

• The LORD: Hebrew: יְהוָה (Yahweh). This is the personal, covenant name of God, revealing His self-existent, faithful, and unchangeable nature. It emphasizes that the promised help, deliverance, and salvation come directly from the sovereign, covenant-keeping God of Israel, not from human effort or random chance.
• helps: Hebrew: עָזַר (azar). Means to give aid, support, or assist. It denotes a practical intervention to uphold or deliver someone in need. This is active, practical assistance in the face of difficulties.
• them: Refers to "the righteous" mentioned repeatedly throughout Psalm 37 (e.g., v. 29, 30, 39). These are those who live in faithful obedience and reliance on God.
• and delivers: Hebrew: וַיְפַלְּטֵם (vayefalletem). From the root פָּלַט (palat), meaning to escape, deliver, rescue, save, usually implying a narrow escape or freeing from a dangerous situation. It speaks of snatching one out of peril.
• he delivers them: Hebrew: יְחַלְּצֵם (yechall'tsem). From the root חָלַץ (chalats), meaning to draw out, withdraw, pull out, release. This root often implies freeing someone from bonds, difficulties, or oppressive situations. It points to a definitive release from entanglement.
• from the wicked: Hebrew: מֵרְשָׁעִים (meresha'im). The רְשָׁעִים are the ungodly, lawless ones who do not respect God or His commands, and often oppress the righteous (as seen in earlier verses like Ps 37:12-15). God's deliverance is specifically from their harm and oppressive schemes. This directly contrasts with the psalm's central theme of the contrasting destinies of the righteous and the wicked.
• and saves them: Hebrew: וְיוֹשִׁיעֵם (veyoshi'em). From the root יָשַׁע (yasha'), meaning to save, deliver, give victory, or rescue. This root is profoundly significant, being the root from which the name "Jesus" (Yeshua) is derived, meaning "Yahweh saves." It implies a complete and holistic rescue, bringing to safety and a state of well-being. This extends beyond physical rescue to ultimate redemption.
• because they take refuge: Hebrew: כִּי-חָסוּ (ki-chasu). The word כִּי (ki) often means "because," indicating a causal link. חָסָה (chasah) means to flee for protection, seek shelter, trust in, or confide in. It speaks of actively seeking cover and finding safety in God. This isn't mere belief but a volitional act of trust and dependence, seeking shelter under God's wing. It’s an act of humble, desperate reliance.
• in him: Refers to the Lord, Yahweh. This reinforces that the refuge is exclusively in God Himself.

Words-group analysis:

• "The LORD helps them and delivers them": This phrase establishes the Lord as the primary agent of aid and rescue. It speaks to both the general assistance and the specific liberation from trouble that He provides. The combination of 'azar' (help) and 'palat' (deliver) indicates a comprehensive and active divine intervention in the life of the righteous.
• "he delivers them from the wicked and saves them": This further specifies the source and nature of the deliverance. The Lord's rescue is explicitly from the oppressive actions and threats of the wicked. The word 'saves' (yasha') here takes on a broad meaning, encompassing not just escape but restoration and secure well-being, implying God's comprehensive redemption. It highlights that God not only rescues His people from immediate danger but also grants them ultimate victory and security against evil forces.
• "because they take refuge in him": This critical causal clause highlights the prerequisite for receiving such comprehensive divine assistance. The chasah (taking refuge/trusting) denotes an intentional, active dependence on God, fleeing to Him for protection and safety. This trust is not passive, but a deliberate act of seeking and finding ultimate security in God, recognizing His power and faithfulness. It signifies a humble surrender and confident expectation that God is their ultimate sanctuary. This relationship of trust is the foundation for God's action on their behalf.

Psalm 37 40 Bonus section

The progressive nature of the verbs—help, deliver (from general trouble), deliver (from specific enemies), save (holistic well-being)—presents an escalation of divine intervention, moving from immediate assistance to complete liberation and secure well-being. This sequence illustrates God's full and unwavering commitment to those who seek Him. The fulfillment of these promises, especially the ultimate 'saving' (yasha'), is seen fully in the redemptive work of Jesus Christ, where believers are delivered from the ultimate enemy, sin and death, and are saved unto eternal life, inheriting a kingdom that is truly everlasting. While Psalm 37 speaks to temporal injustices and God's temporal deliverance, the full scope of God's salvation extends into eternity, securing the righteous beyond earthly struggles and threats. This provides believers with enduring hope and the ability to persevere in trials, knowing their God is their ultimate sanctuary and Savior.

Psalm 37 40 Commentary

Psalm 37:40 serves as a majestic summation of the psalm's central message: God's covenant faithfulness to His righteous ones. It is a powerful affirmation that while the paths of the wicked and the righteous may seem confusingly intertwined in the present, their ultimate destinies are divergent, entirely determined by God's unwavering justice and grace. The verse begins with the personal name of God, "Yahweh," immediately anchoring the promise in the character of the God who is faithful to His covenant. He is depicted in multifaceted roles for His people: as Helper (practical aid), Deliverer (rescuer from specific perils), and Savior (bringing complete well-being and security). This tri-fold action underscores the comprehensive nature of God's provision.

The repeated emphasis on deliverance "from the wicked" highlights the ongoing spiritual and social conflict that the righteous face in this world. God does not promise a life free from conflict, but rather a God who intervenes in and delivers through the conflict. The phrase "saves them" uses the powerful Hebrew term yasha', carrying the full weight of comprehensive redemption—spiritual, physical, and ultimately eternal. This saving work finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, whose name itself embodies "Yahweh saves," providing salvation not merely from external foes but from the dominion of sin and death itself.

The hinge upon which all these divine actions turn is clearly stated: "because they take refuge in Him." This is the foundational posture of faith. To "take refuge" in God (chasah) means to actively and completely entrust oneself to Him, fleeing from other sources of supposed security or help, and casting all one's hope upon the Lord alone. It is a dynamic trust, acknowledging His sovereignty, goodness, and ability to protect and save. This verse affirms that God's intervention is not arbitrary, but deeply relational, springing from the confident dependence His children place in Him. It calls for patience and steadfastness, as the deliverance may not always be instantaneous or according to human timing, but it is assured. The practical usage reminds believers to maintain unwavering trust in God, even when facing opposition or when the wicked seem to triumph, knowing that their ultimate security and deliverance rest firmly in His hands.