35 I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green [1] bay tree. 36 Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found. 37 Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace. 38 But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off.
35 I have seen a wicked and ruthless man flourishing like a luxuriant native tree, 36 but he soon passed away and was no more; though I looked for him, he could not be found. 37 Consider the blameless, observe the upright; a future awaits those who seek peace.
35 I have seen a wicked, ruthless man, spreading himself like a green laurel tree.
35 I saw Wicked bloated like a toad, croaking pretentious nonsense. 36 The next time I looked there was nothing - a punctured bladder, vapid and limp. 37 Keep your eye on the healthy soul, scrutinize the straight life; There's a future in strenuous wholeness. 38 But the willful will soon be discarded; insolent souls are on a dead-end street.
35 I have seen the wicked in great power, And spreading himself like a native green tree. 36 Yet he passed away, and behold, he was no more; Indeed I sought him, but he could not be found. 37 Mark the blameless man, and observe the upright; For the future of that man is peace. 38 But the transgressors shall be destroyed together; The future of the wicked shall be cut off.
35 I have seen wicked and ruthless people flourishing like a tree in its native soil. 36 But when I looked again, they were gone! Though I searched for them, I could not find them! 37 Look at those who are honest and good, for a wonderful future awaits those who love peace. 38 But the rebellious will be destroyed; they have no future.
17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.
17 till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny.
17 until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I discerned their end.
17 Until I entered the sanctuary of God. Then I saw the whole picture:
17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God; Then I understood their end.
17 Then I went into your sanctuary, OÂ God, and I finally understood the destiny of the wicked.
(Read Psalm 73:15-20)
The psalmist having shown the progress of his temptation, shows how faith and grace prevailed. He kept up respect for God's people, and with that he restrained himself from speaking what he had thought amiss. It is a sign that we repent of the evil thoughts of the heart, if we suppress them. Nothing gives more offence to God's children, than to say it is vain to serve God; for there is nothing more contrary to their universal experience. He prayed to God to make this matter plain to him; and he understood the wretched end of wicked people; even in the height of their prosperity they were but ripening for ruin. The sanctuary must be the resort of a tempted soul. The righteous man's afflictions end in peace, therefore he is happy; the wicked man's enjoyments end in destruction, therefore he is miserable. The prosperity of the wicked is short and uncertain, slippery places. See what their prosperity is; it is but a vain show, it is only a corrupt imagination, not substance, but a mere shadow; it is as a dream, which may please us a little while we are slumbering, yet even then it disturbs our repose.
20 As a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image.
20 They are like a dream when one awakes; when you arise, Lord, you will despise them as fantasies.
20 Like a dream when one awakes, O Lord, when you rouse yourself, you despise them as phantoms.
20 We wake up and rub our eyes. . . . Nothing. There's nothing to them. And there never was.
20 As a dream when one awakes, So, Lord, when You awake, You shall despise their image.
20 When you arise, OÂ Lord, you will laugh at their silly ideas as a person laughs at dreams in the morning.
(Read Psalm 73:15-20)
The psalmist having shown the progress of his temptation, shows how faith and grace prevailed. He kept up respect for God's people, and with that he restrained himself from speaking what he had thought amiss. It is a sign that we repent of the evil thoughts of the heart, if we suppress them. Nothing gives more offence to God's children, than to say it is vain to serve God; for there is nothing more contrary to their universal experience. He prayed to God to make this matter plain to him; and he understood the wretched end of wicked people; even in the height of their prosperity they were but ripening for ruin. The sanctuary must be the resort of a tempted soul. The righteous man's afflictions end in peace, therefore he is happy; the wicked man's enjoyments end in destruction, therefore he is miserable. The prosperity of the wicked is short and uncertain, slippery places. See what their prosperity is; it is but a vain show, it is only a corrupt imagination, not substance, but a mere shadow; it is as a dream, which may please us a little while we are slumbering, yet even then it disturbs our repose.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 37:35-38
Commentary on Psalm 37:34-40
(Read Psalm 37:34-40)
Duty is ours, and we must mind it; but events are God's, we must refer the disposal of them to him. What a striking picture is in verses 35,36, of many a prosperous enemy of God! But God remarkably blights the projects of the prosperous wicked, especially persecutors. None are perfect in themselves, but believers are so in Christ Jesus. If all the saint's days continue dark and cloudy, his dying day may prove comfortable, and his sun set bright; or, if it should set under a cloud, yet his future state will be everlasting peace. The salvation of the righteous will be the Lord's doing. He will help them to do their duties, to bear their burdens; help them to bear their troubles well, and get good by them, and, in due time, will deliver them out of their troubles. Let sinners then depart from evil, and do good; repent of and forsake sin, and trust in the mercy of God through Jesus Christ. Let them take his yoke upon them, and learn of him, that they may dwell for evermore in heaven. Let us mark the closing scenes of different characters, and always depend on God's mercy.