Psalms 37:36
What does Psalms 37:36 mean?
A plain-English look at Psalms 37:36 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Psalms 37:36 means
This verse delivers the powerful, personal, and sudden reversal of the wicked's apparent prosperity, directly concluding the observation from verse 35. "But one passed by, and, lo, he was not" highlights the abruptness and completeness of their disappearance. Their seemingly deep-rooted strength (like a green tree) proved to be an illusion, vanishing without a trace. The personal search—"Yea, I sought him, but he could not be found"—emphasizes the utter obliteration of their presence and legacy. This serves as a final, decisive factual confirmation of the psalm's teaching about the transient nature of evil and God's sovereign judgment.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000But one passed by, and, lo, he was not: Yea, I sought him, but he could not be found.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901But one passed by, and, lo, he was not: Yea, I sought him, but he could not be found.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But he came to an end, and there was no sign of him; I made a search for him and he was not there.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And he passeth away, and lo, he is not, And I seek him, and he is not found!
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Not available in this translation
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890but he passed away, and behold, he was not; and I sought him, but he was not found.
Context
In immediate and sharp contrast to the wicked's flourishing described in verse 35, this verse delivers the startling consequence: their swift and complete disappearance. It provides a concrete example that validates the psalm's earlier claims about the wicked being "cut off" and "not being found." This dramatic illustration then immediately precedes the psalmist's concluding exhortation to observe the enduring blessedness of the righteous, solidifying the psalm's core message.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Job 20:5
That the triumphing of the wicked is short, And the joy of the godless but for a moment?
- Acts 12:22
And the people shouted, saying, The voice of a god, and not of a man.
- Isaiah 10:33
Behold, the Lord, Jehovah of hosts, will lop the boughs with terror: and the high of stature shall be hewn down, and the lofty shall be brought low.
- Exodus 15:19
For the horses of Pharaoh went in with his chariots and with his horsemen into the sea, and Jehovah brought back the waters of the sea upon them; but the children of Israel walked on dry land in the midst of the sea.
- Exodus 15:9
The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; My desire shall be satisfied upon them; I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them.
- Psalms 37:10
For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: Yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and he shall not be.
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