Psalms 37:25

What does Psalms 37:25 mean?

A plain-English look at Psalms 37:25 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Psalms 37:25 means

David offers a powerful personal testimony, based on a lifetime of experience, affirming God's unfailing faithfulness to the righteous and their descendants. "I have been young, and now am old" establishes his credibility, speaking from a breadth of seasons and observations. His unwavering conclusion is, "Yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, Nor his seed begging bread." This is a declaration of God's covenant loyalty: He never abandons His own, nor does He allow their children to suffer extreme destitution. It reassures believers that God provides for and protects His faithful ones across generations, despite any temporary trials.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

I have been young, and now am old; Yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, Nor his seed begging bread.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

I have been young, and now am old; Yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, Nor his seed begging bread.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

I have been young, and now am old, but I have not seen the good man without help, or his children looking for bread.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

Young I have been, I have also become old, And I have not seen the righteous forsaken, And his seed seeking bread.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Not available in this translation

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

I have been young, and now am old, and I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed seeking bread:

Context

Following the promise of God upholding the righteous even when they fall in verse 24, this verse provides a compelling personal witness from David. His long life validates the psalm's central claims, offering empirical evidence of God's consistent care. This personal testimony about the security of the righteous and their descendants then transitions to describe the generous and blessed character of the righteous in the subsequent verse.

v.24Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; For Jehovah upholdeth him with his hand.

v.25This passage

v.26All the day long he dealeth graciously, and lendeth; And his seed is blessed.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Proverbs 13:22

    A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children; And the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the righteous.

  • Job 32:6

    And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said, I am young, and ye are very old; Wherefore I held back, and durst not show you mine opinion.

  • Isaiah 13:16

    Their infants also shall be dashed in pieces before their eyes; their houses shall be rifled, and their wives ravished.

  • Psalms 25:13

    His soul shall dwell at ease; And his seed shall inherit the land.

  • Psalms 37:28

    For Jehovah loveth justice, And forsaketh not his saints; They are preserved for ever: But the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.

  • Genesis 17:7

    And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee and to thy seed after thee.

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