The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 37:20

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

But the wicked shall perish (comp. Psalms 37:2, Psalms 37:9, Psalms 37:10, Psalms 37:15, Psalms 37:36); literally, for the wicked shall perish. The happiness of the righteous cannot be complete until the wicked are removed out of their way; since, so long as they continue in the world, they will be ever vexing the righteous and troubling them (Psalms 56:1).

And the enemies of the Lord shall be as the fat of lambs. So, many of the old commentators, as Aquila, Kimchi, and others; and among moderns, Rosenmuller, and Professor Alexander. But the bulk of recent critics translate, as the excellency of the pastures (Hupfeld, Kay, Hengstenberg, Canon Cook, Cheyne, Revised Version); i.

e. the rich herbage which is burnt up by the heat of summer (comp. Psalms 37:2). Both translations seem to be tenable; but the latter is perhaps preferable, since the consumption of the fat of lambs upon the altar is connected with the idea, not of rejection, but of acceptance.

Into smoke shall they consume away (comp. Psalms 102:3).

More for Psalms 37:20

Continue with other commentaries and DiscipleDeck content connected to this verse, chapter, or topic.

Other commentaries

The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 37:1-40Psalms 37:1-40 · The Pulpit CommentaryEXPOSITION THIS is another of the alphabetical psalms (see above, Psalms 9:1-20; Psalms 25:1-22; and 34.), and, though more free from irregularities than the previous ones, is not altogether without them. While, general…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 37:1-40Psalms 37:1-40 · The Pulpit CommentaryThe good man's directory. This is a very remarkable psalm. Its theme is one throughout its entire length. Yet it is not so much drawn out consecutively as repeated proverbially. This may be partly accounted for by its a…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 37:1-40Psalms 37:1-40 · The Pulpit CommentaryTwo pictures. The psalmist says, at Psalms 37:25, "I have been young, and now am old." We may regard him therefore as speaking in this psalm with the fulness of knowledge and the confidence of ripened wisdom. His old ex…Matthew Henry on Psalms 37:7-20Psalms 37:7-20 · Matthew Henry Concise CommentaryLet us be satisfied that God will make all to work for good to us. Let us not discompose ourselves at what we see in this world. A fretful, discontented spirit is open to many temptations. For, in all respects, the litt…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 37:12-20Psalms 37:12-20 · The Pulpit CommentaryThe righteous and the wicked. The argument is continued and repeated in various forms, that the righteous is to hold fast his confidence in God, and not to be discouraged by the prosperity of the wicked. For— I. CONSIDE…

commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 37:1-40Two pictures. The psalmist says, at Psalms 37:25, "I have been young, and now am old." We may regard him therefore as speaking in this psalm with the fulness of knowledge and the confidence of ripened wisdom. His old ex…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 37:1-40EXPOSITION THIS is another of the alphabetical psalms (see above, Psalms 9:1-20; Psalms 25:1-22; and 34.), and, though more free from irregularities than the previous ones, is not altogether without them. While, general…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 37:1-40The good man's directory. This is a very remarkable psalm. Its theme is one throughout its entire length. Yet it is not so much drawn out consecutively as repeated proverbially. This may be partly accounted for by its a…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryMatthew Henry on Psalms 37:7-20Let us be satisfied that God will make all to work for good to us. Let us not discompose ourselves at what we see in this world. A fretful, discontented spirit is open to many temptations. For, in all respects, the litt…Matthew Henry commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 37:12-20The righteous and the wicked. The argument is continued and repeated in various forms, that the righteous is to hold fast his confidence in God, and not to be discouraged by the prosperity of the wicked. For— I. CONSIDE…Joseph S. Exell and contributors