Psalms 37:14
What does Psalms 37:14 mean?
A plain-English look at Psalms 37:14 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Psalms 37:14 means
This verse details the specific, violent intentions and preparations of the wicked against the vulnerable and upright. It describes their active measures: they have "drawn out the sword" and "bent their bow," imagery suggesting readiness for attack and a determination to inflict harm. Their targets are explicitly named: "to cast down the poor and needy," highlighting their oppression of the vulnerable, and "to slay such as are upright in the way," emphasizing their desire to eliminate those who follow God's path. This paints a picture of deliberate, malicious aggression against the innocent and defenseless.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, To cast down the poor and needy, To slay such as are upright in the way.
KJV
King James Version · 1611The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, and to slay such as be of upright conversation.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, To cast down the poor and needy, To slay such as are upright in the way.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949The evil-doers have taken out their swords, their bows are bent; for crushing the poor, and to put to death those who are upright in their ways.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862A sword have the wicked opened, And they have trodden their bow, To cause to fall the poor and needy, To slaughter the upright of the way.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752But I, as a deaf man, heard not: and as a dumb man not opening his mouth.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the afflicted and needy, to slay those that are upright in [the] way:
Context
Following the Lord's confident laughter at the wicked's impending doom in verse 13, this verse offers a realistic look at the wicked's *current* malicious actions. It illustrates the very real threats and violence faced by the righteous. This vivid description of their evil plans then makes the divine judgment in the very next verse all the more impactful, demonstrating God's sovereign hand in thwarting evil designs.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 7:52
Which of the prophets did not your fathers persecute? and they killed them that showed before of the coming of the Righteous One; of whom ye have now become betrayers and murderers;
- 1 Samuel 24:17
And he said to David, Thou art more righteous than I; for thou hast rendered unto me good, whereas I have rendered unto thee evil.
- Proverbs 29:10
The bloodthirsty hate him that is perfect; And as for the upright, they seek his life.
- 1 John 3:12
not as Cain was of the evil one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his works were evil, and his brother’s righteous.
- Habakkuk 1:13
Thou that art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and that canst not look on perverseness, wherefore lookest thou upon them that deal treacherously, and holdest thy peace when the wicked swalloweth up the man that is more righteous than he;
- Psalms 35:10
All my bones shall say, Jehovah, who is like unto thee, Who deliverest the poor from him that is too strong for him, Yea, the poor and the needy from him that robbeth him?
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