Psalms 37:14

KJV

The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, [and] to slay such as be of upright conversation.

KJV (with Strong's)

The wicked {H7563} have drawn out {H6605} the sword {H2719}, and have bent {H1869}{H8804)} their bow {H7198}, to cast down {H5307}{H8687)} the poor {H6041} and needy {H34}, and to slay {H2873}{H8800)} such as be of upright {H3477} conversation {H1870}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The wicked have unsheathed their swords, they have strung their bows to bring down the poor and needy, to slaughter those whose way is upright.

Berean Standard Bible

The wicked have drawn the sword and bent the bow to bring down the poor and needy, to slay those whose ways are upright.

American Standard Version

The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, To cast down the poor and needy, To slay such as are upright in the way.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 37:14 graphically portrays the active malevolence of the wicked, who arm themselves with weapons like swords and bows, not for defense, but with the deliberate intent to oppress the vulnerable and destroy the righteous. This verse, situated within a wisdom psalm, starkly illustrates the profound injustices faced by God's people in a fallen world, while simultaneously laying the groundwork for the psalm's overarching message of divine sovereignty, ultimate justice, and the assured vindication of those who faithfully trust in the Lord.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 37 is an intricately structured wisdom psalm, likely an alphabetic acrostic, attributed to King David. Its primary purpose is didactic: to instruct God's people on how to navigate a world where the wicked often appear to prosper, while the righteous endure hardship. The psalm opens with a foundational admonition, "Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity" ([Psalms 37:1](/psalms/37-1 "Psalm 37:1 - Fret Not Thyself")). This sets the stage for a recurring theme of trusting in the Lord, doing good, and patiently waiting for God's sovereign justice to unfold. Verse 14 provides a vivid, concrete illustration of the active aggression and malicious intent of the wicked, offering a specific example of the kind of oppression that might tempt the righteous to "fret." By detailing the wicked's hostile preparations, the verse intensifies the urgency of the psalm's subsequent reassurances regarding God's ultimate intervention and the contrasting, inevitable destinies of the righteous and the wicked.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Composed in ancient Israel, likely during the monarchical period, Psalm 37 reflects a societal landscape where social stratification and the potential for abuse of power by the influential were constant realities. The imagery of "drawn out the sword" and "bent their bow" draws upon common military and hunting practices prevalent in the ancient Near East, signifying a state of readiness for combat or violent assault. These were not merely tools but instruments of war, subjugation, and lethal intent. The "poor and needy" (Hebrew: *ʻânîy* and *ʼebyôwn*) represented a consistently vulnerable demographic within Israelite society, frequently subjected to exploitation and injustice, a reality vehemently condemned by numerous prophets (e.g., [Amos 2:6-7](/amos/2-6-7 "Amos 2:6-7 - Oppression of the Poor and Needy")). The phrase "upright conversation" (KJV) speaks to the moral and ethical dimensions of life within the covenant community, where integrity and righteous conduct were highly esteemed yet frequently challenged by those who disregarded divine law and societal norms.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Psalm 37 and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores the **Aggression and Malice of the Wicked**, portraying their hostility as deliberate, prepared, and actively destructive, rather than passive or accidental. Secondly, it precisely identifies the **Targets of Malice** as "the poor and needy" (the economically and socially vulnerable) and "such as be of upright conversation" (those who live righteously and with integrity), revealing the wicked's contempt for both human dignity and divine standards. Thirdly, the verse highlights the **Reality of Spiritual and Ethical Conflict**, acknowledging that those who choose a path of righteousness will inevitably face opposition and persecution from those who oppose God's ways. This theme is further developed throughout the psalm, which ultimately promises that the wicked will be cut off, while the righteous will inherit the land, as emphatically stated in [Psalm 37:29](/psalms/37-29 "Psalm 37:29 - The Righteous Inherit the Land").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Drawn out (Hebrew, _pâthach'_):** This verb, H6605, literally means "to open wide" or "to loosen." When applied to a sword (H2719, _chereb'_), it signifies the act of unsheathing the weapon, making it ready for immediate and decisive use. This conveys a profound sense of deliberate preparation and imminent action, emphasizing that the wicked's malice is not impulsive but a calculated readiness to inflict harm, revealing a premeditated intent.
* **Bent (Hebrew, _dârak'_):** This verb, H1869, means "to tread" or, by implication, "to string a bow (by treading on it in bending)." In the context of a bow (H7198, _qesheth'_), it refers to the act of stringing the bow and drawing back the string, making it taut and poised to launch an arrow. Like "drawn out," it denotes a state of active preparation for aggression, highlighting the wicked's focused intent and readiness to strike with precision and force.
* **Upright conversation (Hebrew, _yâshâr derek'_):** This crucial phrase combines H3477 (_yâshâr'_) meaning "straight" or "upright" (literally or figuratively), and H1870 (_derek'_), meaning "a road" or figuratively, "a course of life or mode of action." In KJV English, "conversation" refers to one's entire conduct, manner of life, or behavior, not merely verbal communication. Thus, "upright conversation" signifies a life characterized by integrity, moral rectitude, and consistent adherence to God's standards. The wicked seek to destroy not just the physically vulnerable but also those whose lives exemplify righteousness and conformity to divine will, demonstrating their fundamental opposition to God's moral order.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow,"**: This opening clause vividly establishes the aggressive posture and meticulous preparedness of the wicked. The military imagery of unsheathing a sword and drawing a bow signifies their readiness for violent action and their deliberate intent to inflict harm. It is a graphic depiction of active, premeditated hostility, revealing a calculated determination to cause destruction.
* **"to cast down the poor and needy,"**: This phrase identifies the first, and often most vulnerable, group targeted by the wicked's aggression. "The poor and needy" (Hebrew: *ʻânîy wəʼebyôwn*) refers to those who are economically disadvantaged, socially marginalized, and often lacking power or influence in society. The wicked aim to "cast down" or oppress them, further exacerbating their suffering and vulnerability, highlighting the profound social injustice inherent in the wicked's actions.
* **"[and] to slay such as be of upright conversation."**: This second target group reveals the moral and spiritual dimension of the wicked's malice. They seek not only to oppress the physically vulnerable but also to "slay" (H2873, _ṭâbach'_, meaning to slaughter or kill) those whose lives are characterized by integrity, righteousness, and consistent adherence to God's ways. This demonstrates their fundamental opposition to God's standards and to those who embody them, indicating a spiritual battle against truth and goodness.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 37:14 employs several powerful **Literary Devices** to convey its message with vivid impact. The most prominent is **Military Metaphor**. The "sword" and "bow" are not merely literal weapons but symbolic representations of the wicked's readiness for violence, aggression, and destructive intent. This imagery powerfully portrays their active malevolence and calculated hostility. The verse also utilizes **Parallelism** by presenting two distinct but related targets of the wicked's aggression: "the poor and needy" and "such as be of upright conversation." This structural device emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the wicked's destructive aims, encompassing both social injustice against the vulnerable and moral corruption against the righteous. Finally, the verse establishes a stark **Contrast** between the wicked, characterized by their aggressive and destructive actions, and their victims, who represent vulnerability and righteousness. This contrast underscores the fundamental ethical and spiritual conflict at the heart of the psalm, highlighting the inherent opposition between good and evil.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 37:14 serves as a sobering reminder of the pervasive reality of evil and injustice in the world, particularly how the wicked actively target the vulnerable and the righteous. Theologically, it affirms God's intimate awareness of such suffering and His profound concern for the oppressed. It highlights the ongoing spiritual battle between the forces of light and darkness, where those who choose to live righteously often become objects of intense hostility and persecution. However, within the broader, comforting context of Psalm 37, this verse also sets the stage for the psalm's overarching message of divine justice, reassuring believers that while the wicked may scheme and act with malicious intent, their efforts are ultimately futile against God's sovereign plan. God will not allow His righteous ones to be utterly destroyed, and He will ultimately bring about perfect justice and vindication for His faithful.

* [Psalms 37:28](/psalms/37-28 "Psalm 37:28 - God Loves Justice and Preserves His Saints")
* [Proverbs 22:22-23](/proverbs/22-22-23 "Proverbs 22:22-23 - Do Not Oppress the Poor or Afflicted")
* [2 Timothy 3:12](/2_timothy/3-12 "2 Timothy 3:12 - Persecution for Godliness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 37:14 offers a profoundly realistic yet ultimately encouraging message for believers today. It validates the painful reality that those who seek to live righteously or are economically disadvantaged often become targets of oppression, injustice, and even violence. In a world where evil persists and often seems to flourish, this verse assures us that God sees and acknowledges the suffering inflicted by the wicked. It calls us to resist the natural human temptation to fret, despair, or become envious when faced with such malice, instead urging us to anchor our hope firmly in God's unfailing justice and perfect timing. Our response should be one of patient endurance, steadfast trust in God's sovereignty, and active compassion for the vulnerable. It also serves as a timeless call to stand against injustice, to advocate for those who are targeted by the wicked, and to remember that our ultimate vindication comes from the Lord, who promises to cut off the wicked and preserve His saints for eternity.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the vivid imagery of "drawn out the sword" and "bent their bow" deepen your understanding of the active and premeditated nature of evil in the world?**
* **In what specific ways do you observe "the poor and needy" or "such as be of upright conversation" being targeted or oppressed in your community or globally today?**
* **Considering the broader admonition of Psalm 37 to "fret not thyself," how does this verse challenge or affirm your emotional and spiritual responses to injustice?**
* **What practical steps can you personally take to embody the "upright conversation" and to advocate for or stand in solidarity with those who suffer for righteousness' sake?**

### FAQ
**What does "upright conversation" mean in the context of Psalms 37:14?**

Answer: In the King James Version, the word "conversation" (H1870, _derek'_) does not refer to verbal communication as it primarily does in modern English. Instead, it refers to one's entire conduct, manner of life, or behavior. The Hebrew phrase behind "upright conversation" is *yəšar-dāreḵ*, which literally translates to "straight of way" or "upright path." Therefore, "such as be of upright conversation" refers to individuals whose lives are characterized by integrity, moral rectitude, and consistent adherence to God's righteous standards. The wicked in this verse are seeking to destroy not just the physically vulnerable but also those whose very lives exemplify righteousness and conformity to God's will, demonstrating their opposition to divine truth.

**Why does Psalm 37 focus so much on the prosperity of the wicked and the suffering of the righteous?**

Answer: Psalm 37, like other wisdom literature, grapples with the profound and ancient problem of theodicy – how a just and powerful God can allow evil and suffering, particularly when the wicked appear to prosper and the righteous suffer. The psalm directly addresses the natural human tendency to "fret" or be envious of the wicked's apparent success. Its primary aim is to reorient the reader's perspective from short-term observations to God's eternal justice and sovereign control. While the wicked may flourish temporarily and wield power, their ultimate end is destruction, as seen in passages like [Psalm 37:20](/psalms/37-20 "Psalm 37:20 - The Wicked Perish"). Conversely, the righteous, though they may suffer and be targeted, will ultimately inherit the land and be preserved by God, as promised in [Psalm 37:9-11](/psalms/37-9-11 "Psalm 37:9-11 - The Meek Inherit the Earth"). The psalm encourages patient trust in God's timing and sovereignty, assuring believers that divine justice will ultimately prevail.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 37:14, with its vivid portrayal of the wicked's aggression against the vulnerable and the righteous, finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the preeminent "upright conversation," whose life was perfectly righteous and without sin, yet He was relentlessly targeted by the wicked of His generation, both human and spiritual. As the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), He became the ultimate "poor and needy" one, humbling Himself and becoming poor for our sakes so that through His poverty we might become spiritually rich ([2 Corinthians 8:9](/2_corinthians/8-9 "2 Corinthians 8:9 - Christ's Poverty for Our Riches")). He endured the full force of the wicked's drawn swords and bent bows, not only from human adversaries but also from the spiritual forces of evil, culminating in His unjust trial, profound suffering, and crucifixion. Yet, in His suffering, Jesus perfectly embodied the patient trust in God's justice that Psalm 37 commends. His glorious resurrection is the definitive vindication of the Righteous One, demonstrating God's ultimate triumph over all wickedness and oppression, and His promise to "cut off" the wicked and establish His eternal kingdom ([Revelation 19:11-16](/revelation/19-11-16 "Revelation 19:11-16 - Christ as Righteous Judge and Victor")). Thus, Christ's experience validates the suffering of the righteous, while His victory provides the certain hope that evil will not ultimately prevail, and that those who live an "upright conversation" in Him will share in His eternal inheritance and triumph ([Romans 8:37-39](/romans/8-37-39 "Romans 8:37-39 - More Than Conquerors Through Christ")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Proverbs 29:27

¶ An unjust man [is] an abomination to the just: and [he that is] upright in the way [is] abomination to the wicked.

1 John 3:12

Not as Cain, [who] was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous.

Psalms 11:2

For, lo, the wicked bend [their] bow, they make ready their arrow upon the string, that they may privily shoot at the upright in heart.

1 Samuel 24:17

And he said to David, Thou [art] more righteous than I: for thou hast rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded thee evil.

Matthew 23:30

And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.

Matthew 23:34

¶ Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and [some] of them ye shall kill and crucify; and [some] of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute [them] from city to city:

Psalms 64:2

Hide me from the secret counsel of the wicked; from the insurrection of the workers of iniquity: