Psalms 37:17
What does Psalms 37:17 mean?
A plain-English look at Psalms 37:17 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Psalms 37:17 means
This verse provides the divine reason for the qualitative superiority of the righteous's "little" over the wicked's "abundance." It promises that God actively disarms the wicked: "the arms of the wicked shall be broken" signifies the removal of their strength, power, and ability to cause harm. Their resources and influence, on which they rely, will ultimately fail. In contrast, "Jehovah upholdeth the righteous." This means God actively supports, sustains, and strengthens His faithful ones. His divine hand is their ongoing source of power and protection, ensuring their stability even when they have less in worldly terms.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000For the arms of the wicked shall be broken; But Jehovah upholdeth the righteous.
KJV
King James Version · 1611For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the Lord upholdeth the righteous.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901For the arms of the wicked shall be broken; But Jehovah upholdeth the righteous.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949For the arms of the evil-doers will be broken: but the Lord is the support of the good.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862For the arms of the wicked are shivered, And Jehovah is sustaining the righteous.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752For I said: Lest at any time my enemies rejoice over me: and whilst my feet are moved, they speak great things against me.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890for the arms of the wicked shall be broken, but Jehovah upholdeth the righteous.
Context
This verse unpacks the principle introduced in verse 16 regarding the superiority of the righteous's "little." It explains *how* this is true by directly contrasting God's active intervention: He disables the wicked while powerfully sustaining the righteous. This promise of divine upholding then naturally leads into further assurances about God's eternal knowledge and provision for His perfect ones in the verses that follow.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Psalms 51:12
Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; And uphold me with a willing spirit.
- Jude 1:24
Now unto him that is able to guard you from stumbling, and to set you before the presence of his glory without blemish in exceeding joy,
- Psalms 10:15
Break thou the arm of the wicked; And as for the evil man, seek out his wickedness till thou find none.
- Psalms 63:8
My soul followeth hard after thee: Thy right hand upholdeth me.
- Psalms 119:116
Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live; And let me not be ashamed of my hope.
- Psalms 37:24
Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; For Jehovah upholdeth him with his hand.
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