TRV
Study This Verse
Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Psalms 37:7–20. His four-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.
In these verses we have,
I.The foregoing precepts inculcated; for we are so apt to disquiet ourselves with needless fruitless discontents and distrusts that it is necessary there should be precept upon precept, and line upon line, to suppress them and arm us against them.
1.Let us compose ourselves by believing in God: "Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him (Psa 37:7), that is, be well reconciled to all he does and acquiesce in it, for that is best that is, because it is what God has appointed; and be well satisfied that he will still make all to work for good to us, though we know not how or which way." Be silent to the Lord (so the word is), not with a sullen, but a submissive silence. A patient bearing of what is laid upon us, with a patient expectation of what is further appointed for us, is as much our interest as it is our duty, for it will make us always easy; and there is a great deal of reason for it, for it is making a virtue of necessity.
2.Let us not discompose ourselves at what we see in this world: "Fret not thyself because of him who prospers in his wicked way, who, though he is a bad man, yet thrives and grows rich and great in the world; no, nor because of him who does mischief with his power and wealth, and brings wicked devices to pass against those that are virtuous and good, who seems to have gained his point and to have run them down. If thy heart begins to rise at it, stroke down thy folly, and cease from anger (Psa 37:8), check the first stirrings of discontent and envy, and do not harbour any hard thoughts of God and his providence upon this account. Be not angry at any thing that God does, but forsake that wrath; it is the worst kind of wrath that can be. Fret not thyself in any wise to do evil; do not envy them their prosperity, lest thou be tempted to fall in with them and to take the same evil course that they take to enrich and advance themselves or some desperate course to avoid them and their power." Note, A fretful discontented spirit lies open to many temptations; and those that indulge it are in danger of doing evil.
II.The foregoing reasons, taken from the approaching ruin of the wicked notwithstanding their prosperity, and the real happiness of the righteous notwithstanding their troubles, are here much enlarged upon and the same things repeated in a pleasing variety of expression. We were cautioned (Psa 37:7) not to envy the wicked either worldly prosperity or the success of their plots against the righteous, and the reasons here given respect these two temptations severally: -
1.Good people have no reason to envy the worldly prosperity of wicked people, nor to grieve or be uneasy at it,
(1.)Because the prosperity of the wicked will soon be at an end (Psa 37:9): Evil-doers shall be cut off by some sudden stroke of divine justice in the midst of their prosperity; what they have got by sin will not only flow away from them (Job 20:28), but they shall be carried away with it. See the end of these men (Psa 73:17), how dear their ill-got gain will cost them, and you will be far from envying them or from being willing to espouse their lot, for better, for worse. Their ruin is sure, and it is very near (Psa 37:10): Yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be what they now are; they are brought into desolation in a moment, Psa 73:19. Have a little patience, for the Judge stands before the door, Jam 5:8, Jam 5:9. Moderate your passion, for the Lord is at hand, Phi 4:5. And when their ruin comes it will be an utter ruin; he and his shall be extirpated; the day that comes shall leave him neither root nor branch (Mal 4:1): Thou shalt diligently consider his place, where but the other day he made a mighty figure, but it shall not be, you will not find it; he shall leave nothing valuable, nothing honourable, behind. him. To the same purport (Psa 37:20), The wicked shall perish; their death is their perdition, because it is the termination of all their joy and a passage to endless misery. Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord; but undone, for ever undone, are the dead that die in their sins. The wicked are the enemies of the Lord; such those make themselves who will not have him to reign over them, and as such he will reckon with them: They shall consume as the fat of lambs, they shall consume into smoke. Their prosperity, which gratifies their sensuality, is like the fat of lambs, not solid or substantial, but loose and washy; and, when their ruin comes, they shall fall as sacrifices to the justice of God and be consumed as the fat of the sacrifices was upon the altar, whence it ascended in smoke. The day of God's vengeance on the wicked is represented as a sacrifice of the fat of the kidneys of rams (Isa 34:6); for he will be honoured by the ruin of his enemies, as he was by the sacrifices. Damned sinners are sacrifices, Mar 9:49. This is a good reason why we should not envy them their prosperity; while they are fed to the full, they are but in the fattening for the day of sacrifice, like a lamb in a large place (Hos 4:16), and the more they prosper the more will God be glorified in their ruin.
(2.)Because the condition of the righteous, even in this life, is every way better and more desirable than that of the wicked, Psa 37:16. In general, a little that a righteous man has of the honour, wealth, and pleasure of this world, is better than the riches of many wicked. Observe,
[1.]The wealth of the world is so dispensed by the divine Providence that it is often the lot of good people to have but a little of it, and of wicked people to have abundance of it; for thus God would show us that the things of this world are not the best things, for, if they were, those would have most that are best and dearest to God.
[2.]That a godly man's little is really better than a wicked man's estate, though ever so much; for it comes from a better hand, from a hand of special love and not merely from a hand of common providence, - it is enjoyed by a better title (God gives it to them by promise, Gal 3:18), - it is theirs by virtue of their relation to Christ, who is the heir of all things, - and it is put to better use; it is sanctified to them by the blessing of God. Unto the pure all things are pure, Tit 1:15. A little wherewith God is served and honoured is better than a great deal prepared for Baal or for a base lust. The promises here made to the righteous secure them such a happiness that they need not envy the prosperity of evil-doers. Let them know to their comfort, First, That they shall inherit the earth, as much of it as Infinite Wisdom sees good for them; they have the promise of the life that now is, Ti1 4:8. If all the earth were necessary to make them happy, they should have it. All is theirs, even the world, and things present, as well as things to come, Co1 3:21, Co1 3:22. They have it by inheritance, a safe and honourable title, not by permission only and connivance. When evil-doers are cut off the righteous sometimes inherit what they gathered. The wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just, Job 27:17; Pro 13:22. This promise is here made, 1. To those that live a life of faith (Psa 37:9); Those that wait upon the Lord, as dependents on him, expectants from him, and suppliants to him, shall inherit the earth, as a token of his present favour to them and an earnest of better things intended for them in the other world. God is a good Master, that provides plentifully and well, not only for his working servants, but for his waiting servants. 2. To those that live a quiet and peaceable life (Psa 37:11): The meek shall inherit the earth. They are in least danger of being injured and disturbed in the possession of what they have and they have most satisfaction in themselves and consequently the sweetest relish of their creature-comforts. Our Saviour has made this a gospel promise, and a confirmation of the blessings he pronounced on the meek, Mat 5:5. Secondly, That they shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace, Psa 37:11. Perhaps they have not abundance of wealth to delight in; but they have that which is better, abundance of peace, inward peace and tranquility of mind, peace with God, and then peace in God, that great peace which those have that love God's law, whom nothing shall offend (Psa 119:165), that abundance of peace which is in the kingdom of Christ (Psa 72:7), that peace which the world cannot give (Joh 14:27), and which the wicked cannot have, Isa 57:21. This they shall delight themselves in, and in it they shall have a continual feast; while those that have abundance of wealth do but cumber and perplex themselves with it and have little delight in it. Thirdly, That God knows their days, Psa 37:18. He takes particular notice of them, of all they do and of all that happens to them. He keeps account of the days of their service, and not one day's work shall go unrewarded, and of the days of their suffering, that for those also they may receive a recompence. He knows their bright days, and has pleasure in their prosperity; he knows their cloudy and dark days, the days of their affliction, and as the day is so shall the strength be. Fourthly, That their inheritance shall be for ever; not their inheritance in the earth, but that incorruptible indefeasible one which is laid up for them in heaven. Those that are sure of an everlasting inheritance in the other world have no reason to envy the wicked their transitory possessions and pleasures in this world. Fifthly, That in the worst of times it shall go well with them (Psa 37:19): They shall not be ashamed of their hope and confidence in God, nor of the profession they have made of religion; for the comfort of that will stand them in stead, and be a real support to them, in evil times. When others droop they shall lift up their heads with joy and confidence: Even in the days of famine, when others are dying for hunger round about them, they shall be satisfied, as Elijah was; in some way or other God will provide food convenient for them, or give them hearts to be satisfied and content without it, so that, if they should be hardly bestead and hungry, they shall not (as the wicked do) fret themselves and curse their king and their God (Isa 7:21), but rejoice in God as the God of their salvation even when the fig-tree does not blossom, Hab 3:17, Hab 3:18.
2.Good people have no reason to fret at the occasional success of the designs of the wicked against the just. Though they do bring some of their wicked devices to pass, which makes us fear they will gain their point and bring them all to pass, yet let us cease from anger, and not fret ourselves so as to think of giving up the cause. For,
(1.)Their plots will be their shame, Psa 37:12, Psa 37:13. It is true the wicked plotteth against the just; there is a rooted enmity in the seed of the wicked one against the righteous seed; their aim is, if they can, to destroy their righteousness, or, if that fail, then to destroy them. With this end in view they have acted with a great deal both of cursed policy and contrivance (they plot, they practice, against the just), and of cursed zeal and fury - they gnash upon them with their teeth, so desirous are they, if they could get it into their power, to eat them up, and so full of rage and indignation are they because it is not in their power; but by all this they do but make themselves ridiculous. The Lord shall laugh at them, Psa 2:4, Psa 2:5. They are proud and insolent, but God shall pour contempt upon them. he is not only displeased with them, but he despises them and all their attempts as vain and ineffectual, and their malice as impotent and in a chain; for he sees that his day is coming, that is,
[1.]The day of God's reckoning, the day of the revelation of his righteousness, which now seems clouded and eclipsed. Men have their day now. This is your hour, Luk 22:53. But God will have his day shortly, a day of recompences, a day which will set all to rights, and render that ridiculous which now passes for glorious. It is a small thing to be judged of man's judgment, Co1 4:3. God's day will give a decisive judgment.
[2.]The day of their ruin. The wicked man's day, the day set for his fall, that day is coming, which denotes delay; it has not yet come, but certainly it will come. The believing prospect of that day will enable the virgin, the daughter of Zion, to despise the rage of her enemies and laugh them to scorn, Isa 37:22.
(2.)Their attempts will be their destruction, Psa 37:14, Psa 37:15. See here,
[1.]How cruel they are in their designs against good people. They prepare instruments of death, the sword and the bow, no less will serve; they hunt for the precious life. That which they design is to cast down and slay; it is the blood of the saints they thirst after. They carry on the design very far, and it is near to be put in execution: They have drawn the sword, and bent the bow; and all these military preparations are made against the helpless, the poor and needy (which proves them to be very cowardly), and against the guiltless, such as are of upright conversation, that never gave them any provocation, nor offered injury to them or any other person, which proves them to be very wicked. Uprightness itself will be no fence against their malice. But,
[2.]How justly their malice recoils upon themselves: Their sword shall turn into their own heart, which implies the preservation of the righteous from their malice and the filling up of the measure of their own iniquity by it. Sometimes that very thing proves to be their own destruction which they projected against their harmless neighbours; however, God's sword, which their provocations have drawn against them, will give them their death's wound.
(3.)Those that are not suddenly cut off shall yet be so disabled for doing any further mischief that the interests of the church shall be effectually secured: Their bows shall be broken (Psa 37:15); the instruments of their cruelty shall fail them and they shall lose those whom they had made tools of to serve their bloody purposes with; nay, their arms shall be broken, so that they shall not be able to go on with their enterprises, Psa 37:17. But the Lord upholds the righteous, so that they neither sink under the weight of their afflictions nor are crushed by the violence of their enemies. He upholds them both in their integrity and in their prosperity; and those that are so upheld by the rock of ages have no reason to envy the wicked the support of their broken reeds.
Historical interpretation
Historical Reception
2 surviving comments on this verse. Each one is dated, so this reads as a timeline rather than a list.
Select a marker to jump to its quote. Markers stagger vertically where authors wrote within a few decades of each other.
(Vers. 12, 13.) It follows: The sinner will observe the just and will gnash his teeth over him. But the Lord will deride him; for He sees that his day is coming. It is customary for one who is angry and seething to gnash his teeth: but the heart of the wicked also has its teeth, which are not accustomed to merely making noise, but to tearing. The sinner's traps, schemes, and wickedness are his teeth. Therefore, the sinner lies in wait for the just, because he envies him; for the life of the just rebukes the sinner, whom it silently condemns with greater authority than if it were to speak with a loud voice. But the righteous should not fear the clamor of the sinner, for wickedness cannot be everlasting. Temporary are the snares, but eternal are the fortresses of virtue. Death dissolves all power and deceit of the sinner.
Then follow these words: "The wicked plots against the just, and gnashes upon him with his teeth" [Psalm 37:12]: "But the Lord shall laugh at him" [Psalm 37:13]. At whom? Surely at the sinner, "gnashing upon" the other "with his teeth." But wherefore shall the Lord "laugh at him"? "For He foresees that his day is coming." He seems indeed full of wrath, while, ignorant of the morrow that is in store for him, he is threatening the just. But the Lord beholds and "foresees his day." "What day?" That in which "He will render to every man according to his works." For he is "treasuring up unto himself wrath against the day of wrath, and revelation of the just judgment of God." [Romans 2:6, 5] But it is the Lord that foresees it; you do not foresee it. It has been revealed to you by Him who foresees it. You did not know of the "day of the unrighteous," in which he is to suffer punishment. But He who knows it has revealed it to you. It is a main part of knowledge to join yourself to Him who has knowledge. He has the eyes of knowledge: have thou the eyes of a believing mind. That which God "sees," be thou willing to believe. For the day of the unjust, which God foresees, will come. What day is that? The day for all vengeance! For it is necessary that vengeance should be taken upon the ungodly, that vengeance be taken upon the unjust, whether he turn, or whether he turn not. For if he shall turn from his ways, that very thing, that his "injustice has come to an end," is the infliction of vengeance....
Continue studying Psalms 37:13 across the web’s major study libraries — every link below opens this exact verse, chapter, or book on the destination site.
Read & Compare
BibleGatewayThis verse in more than 200 translations and 70 languages.
Bible.comThe YouVersion reader — hundreds of translations, reading plans, and highlights.
ESV.orgCrossway's official English Standard Version reader.
NET BibleThe NET translation with 60,000+ translators' notes on every rendering decision.
STEP BibleTyndale House's free study tool — original text, vocabulary, and scholarly resources.
BibliaLogos Bible Software's free web reader.
USCCBThe New American Bible (Revised Edition) with the U.S. bishops' study notes.
Commentaries
BibleHub CommentariesDozens of classic commentaries on this verse, gathered on one page.
StudyLightMore than 100 commentary sets — the largest collection on the web.
BibleRefPlain-English commentary on what this verse means, verse by verse.
Enduring WordDavid Guzik's free commentary on this chapter, widely used by Bible teachers.
Bible Study ToolsVerse commentary alongside Greek and Hebrew study aids.
Original Language & Research
- BibleHub InterlinearThe verse word by word — original language, transliteration, and English.
- BibleHub LexiconEvery word's original-language definition and Strong's entry.
Blue Letter BibleDeep-study tools — Strong's numbers, concordance, and word studies.
SefariaThe Hebrew text with Rashi and centuries of Jewish commentary.
Sermons, Hymns & Audio
TrulyRandomVerse is not affiliated with these sites and doesn’t control their content. They’re linked because they’re genuinely useful.
Summary
Psalms 37:13 offers profound reassurance to the righteous by portraying God's sovereign perspective on the wicked. It reveals the Lord's derisive laughter at the schemes and temporary prosperity of evildoers, not out of amusement, but from a position of absolute knowledge and control, knowing with certainty that their appointed day of judgment and destruction is swiftly approaching. This verse serves as a powerful reminder that divine justice is inevitable, providing comfort and a call to patient trust for those who observe the apparent success of the ungodly.
Context
Literary Context
Psalms 37:13 is embedded within a wisdom psalm attributed to David, which functions as an extended exhortation to trust in the Lord and not to fret over the prosperity of the wicked. The psalm repeatedly contrasts the fleeting success of the ungodly with the enduring blessing and inheritance promised to the righteous. Verses preceding verse 13, such as Psalms 37:1-2, warn against envy and highlight the transient nature of the wicked's flourishing, likening them to grass that quickly withers. Following verse 13, the psalm continues to elaborate on the ultimate fate of the wicked (e.g., Psalms 37:14-15) and the security of the righteous, reinforcing the overarching theme of divine justice and God's unwavering commitment to His covenant people.
Historical & Cultural Context
Composed likely during a period when the righteous observed the apparent success and oppression by the wicked, this psalm addresses a common human dilemma: why do the ungodly prosper while the faithful suffer? In ancient Israel, prosperity was often seen as a sign of divine favor, and suffering as a sign of judgment. Psalms 37 challenges this simplistic view, urging a long-term perspective rooted in God's ultimate sovereignty and justice. The cultural context would have included the constant tension between those who lived according to God's law and those who disregarded it, often with seemingly immediate worldly benefits for the latter. The psalm reassures the audience that God is not absent or indifferent but actively engaged in the affairs of humanity, ensuring that ultimate justice will prevail, aligning with the broader prophetic tradition of a "Day of the Lord."
Key Themes
The verse significantly contributes to several overarching themes within Psalms 37 and the broader biblical narrative. It underscores Divine Sovereignty and Omniscience, portraying God as fully aware of and in control over the destinies of all, including the wicked. His "laughter" is not amusement but a powerful expression of His absolute certainty regarding their inevitable downfall, a theme echoed in Psalms 2:4. Furthermore, it highlights the Inevitable Judgment of the wicked, emphasizing that their "day is coming," a fixed and certain time of reckoning. This provides Comfort and Vindication for the Righteous, encouraging them to "rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him" (Psalms 37:7), knowing that God will ultimately expose and punish evil, ensuring that "the meek shall inherit the earth" (Psalms 37:11).
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
This word, שָׂחַק (H7832), carries a range of meanings from joyful laughter to derisive scorn or mockery. In this context, as in Psalms 2:4, it denotes God's confident derision and contempt for the futile plans and boasts of the wicked. It is not an expression of lighthearted amusement, but rather a powerful demonstration of divine superiority, sovereignty, and the absolute certainty of the wicked's ultimate undoing. God's laughter signifies the utter foolishness and impotence of those who oppose Him, highlighting their schemes as utterly insignificant in the face of His omnipotence.
The Hebrew word יוֹם (H3117) typically means "day," but in biblical idiom, especially when paired with a possessive pronoun like "his day," it often refers to a specific, appointed time or season. In this context, "his day" signifies a predetermined, inevitable moment of divine judgment, destruction, or reckoning for the wicked. It implies a fixed, unavoidable date on God's calendar, emphasizing the certainty and finality of their impending doom, regardless of their present apparent success or influence.
Verse Breakdown
"The Lord shall laugh at him:"
This clause presents a powerful anthropomorphism, attributing human emotion (laughter) to God. However, as discussed in Key Word Analysis, this is not a laugh of amusement but of confident scorn and derision. It signifies God's complete awareness of the wicked's futile efforts and His absolute certainty regarding their ultimate downfall. It underscores His supreme authority and His unshakeable control over all circumstances, rendering the wicked's boasts and schemes utterly insignificant.
"for he seeth that his day is coming."
This explanatory clause provides the reason for God's "laughter." The Lord's derision is rooted in His perfect omniscience and foresight. He "sees" (Hebrew: רָאָה, H7200) not just the present actions of the wicked but also the predetermined, inevitable outcome of their rebellion – "his day," an appointed time of judgment and destruction. This certainty of divine retribution is what renders the wicked's temporary success laughable from God's eternal perspective, offering profound comfort and assurance to the righteous.
Literary Devices
Psalms 37:13 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message. The most prominent is Anthropomorphism, where human characteristics are attributed to God, specifically His "laughter." This device helps the human reader grasp God's emotional response and sovereign perspective, making the divine accessible while simultaneously highlighting His transcendence. Furthermore, there is a strong element of Irony at play: while the wicked may boast in their temporary prosperity and believe themselves to be successful, God, from His eternal vantage point, finds their efforts laughable because He knows their inevitable, miserable end. This creates a stark Contrast between the wicked's perception of their reality and God's ultimate reality. The phrase "his day is coming" also functions as Foreshadowing, hinting at the certain, future judgment that awaits the ungodly, building anticipation and reinforcing the psalm's overarching theme of divine justice.
Theological and Thematic Connections
This verse powerfully articulates God's active engagement in the world, not as a distant observer, but as the sovereign judge who sees beyond immediate appearances to the ultimate reality. It reinforces the biblical truth that God is just and will not allow evil to triumph indefinitely. The "laughter" of the Lord is a theological statement of His absolute control, His perfect knowledge, and the utter futility of any rebellion against His will. This divine perspective provides a crucial anchor for believers struggling with the problem of evil and the apparent prosperity of the wicked, assuring them that God's justice, though sometimes delayed, is never denied and will be perfectly executed in His appointed time.
Reflection and Application
In a world often characterized by injustice, where the wicked frequently seem to flourish and the righteous to suffer, Psalms 37:13 offers a profound and necessary shift in perspective. It calls us away from human envy and anxiety, redirecting our gaze to the divine throne. Knowing that God "laughs" at the wicked's fleeting triumphs because He sees their inevitable "day" coming allows believers to find peace amidst turmoil. This verse encourages us to cultivate a long-term, eternal perspective, trusting in God's perfect timing and unwavering justice, rather than being swayed by temporary circumstances. It reminds us that our hope is not in the immediate outcome of earthly events, but in the certain and ultimate triumph of God's righteous kingdom. This understanding frees us to live righteously, to "delight yourself in the Lord" (Psalms 37:4), and to patiently wait for His vindication, confident that His perfect plan will unfold.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why does God "laugh" at the wicked in this verse? Is it a cruel or mocking laugh?
The "laughter" of the Lord in Psalms 37:13, as in Psalms 2:4, is not a laugh of cruel amusement or lighthearted mockery. Instead, it signifies God's confident derision and contempt for the futile plans and boasts of the wicked. It expresses His absolute sovereignty, His perfect knowledge, and the utter impotence of those who oppose Him. From God's eternal perspective, the wicked's schemes and temporary successes are so insignificant and doomed to failure that they are laughable. It's a declaration of divine certainty and control, assuring the righteous that God is fully aware and will ultimately bring about justice.
What does "his day is coming" specifically refer to for the wicked?
"His day is coming" is a common biblical idiom that refers to a specific, appointed time of reckoning, judgment, or destruction for the wicked. It's not a general concept but a certain, predetermined moment when God will intervene to bring their evil deeds to an end and administer justice. This concept is often linked to the broader biblical theme of the "Day of the Lord," which can refer to specific historical judgments or the ultimate eschatological judgment. For the wicked, it signifies the end of their temporary prosperity and the beginning of their deserved punishment, as seen in prophetic warnings like Obadiah 1:15.
How does this verse offer comfort to the righteous who might be struggling with injustice?
This verse offers profound comfort by shifting the righteous person's perspective from the fleeting present to God's eternal certainty. When the righteous see the wicked prosper, they might be tempted to fret or envy, feeling that God is absent or uncaring. However, Psalms 37:13 assures them that God is not only fully aware of every injustice but also has a fixed, inevitable "day" appointed for the wicked's downfall. This knowledge allows believers to "rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him" (Psalms 37:7), trusting that divine justice will ultimately prevail. It reminds them that God has the final word, and their vindication is certain, even if it is not immediate.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
Psalms 37:13 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "laughter" of the Lord at the wicked's futile plans foreshadows Christ's decisive victory over sin, death, and all the powers of darkness. While the wicked of all ages, including those who opposed Christ, believed they were succeeding, God, in Christ, knew their "day" was coming. The crucifixion, which appeared to be the triumph of evil, was in fact the very means by which Christ "disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him" (Colossians 2:15). The "day" of the wicked, their ultimate judgment, is intrinsically tied to the glorious return of Christ, when He will come as the righteous judge to execute justice and establish His eternal kingdom. Every act of rebellion against God, every boast of the ungodly, is ultimately a laughable and futile endeavor in the face of the resurrected and ascended Christ, who now sits at the right hand of the Father, waiting "until his enemies are made a footstool for his feet" (Hebrews 1:13). Thus, the comfort offered in Psalms 37:13 is fully realized in the believer's confidence in Christ's final and absolute triumph over all evil (Revelation 19:11-21), assuring them that their inheritance in Him is secure and eternal.