Psalms 37:15

Their sword shall enter into their own heart, and their bows shall be broken.

Their sword {H2719} shall enter {H935} into their own heart {H3820}, and their bows {H7198} shall be broken {H7665}{H8735)}.

But their swords will pierce their own hearts, and their bows will be broken.

But their swords will pierce their own hearts, and their bows will be broken.

Their sword shall enter into their own heart, And their bows shall be broken.

Commentary

Context of Psalms 37:15

Psalm 37 is a didactic (teaching) psalm, attributed to David, offering wisdom and encouragement to the righteous who often see the wicked seemingly prosper. The overarching theme is to trust in the Lord and wait patiently for His justice, rather than fretting over the success of evildoers. Verses 12-14 describe the wicked plotting against the righteous, drawing their sword and bending their bow to slay the upright. Verse 15 is a direct response and divine declaration regarding the futility of their malicious intent, assuring believers that God will act.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Justice and Retribution: This verse powerfully illustrates the principle of poetic justice, where the wicked's own instruments of destruction are turned back upon them. It assures believers that God sees the schemes of the ungodly and will ensure their downfall.
  • Futility of Wicked Plans: The imagery of the sword entering their own heart and broken bows signifies the ultimate failure and self-destruction inherent in evil intentions. Their power and means of attack are rendered useless. This theme is echoed throughout the psalm, emphasizing that the prosperity of the wicked is temporary and ultimately leads to their demise.
  • God's Protection of the Righteous: Implicit in the judgment of the wicked is the unwavering protection of the righteous. When the weapons of the enemy fail, those they sought to harm are safeguarded by divine intervention.

Linguistic and Poetic Insights

The imagery in Psalm 37:15 is vivid and metaphorical, characteristic of Hebrew poetry. "Their sword shall enter into their own heart" (Hebrew: חֶרֶב תָּבוֹא בְלִבָּם, ḥerev tāvoʾ bilbām) is a powerful personification of self-inflicted harm, suggesting that the very malice and violence they intend for others will ultimately consume them. It's a dramatic reversal of fortune, where their aggressive actions boomerang. "And their bows shall be broken" (וְקַשְּׁתוֹתָם תִּשָּׁבַרְנָה, vəqaššətotām tiššāvarnāh) symbolizes the complete incapacitation of their offensive capabilities and the collapse of their power. This reflects a common biblical motif where the wicked are caught in their own snares, as seen in Psalm 7:15 or Proverbs 26:27.

Practical Application

For believers today, Psalm 37:15 offers profound comfort and a call to steadfast faith. It reminds us not to be dismayed or envious when we see injustice or when malicious individuals seem to gain a temporary advantage. Instead, we are encouraged to trust in God's sovereign control and His ultimate justice. This verse assures us that evil is inherently self-destructive and that God will dismantle the power of the wicked. It encourages patience and perseverance in righteousness, knowing that the Lord will ultimately vindicate His people and bring the plans of the ungodly to naught. This principle is a cornerstone of God's divine retribution and a source of hope for the righteous.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 7:14

    Behold, he travaileth with iniquity, and hath conceived mischief, and brought forth falsehood.

  • Psalms 7:15

    He made a pit, and digged it, and is fallen into the ditch [which] he made.

  • Psalms 35:8

    Let destruction come upon him at unawares; and let his net that he hath hid catch himself: into that very destruction let him fall.

  • Hosea 1:5

    And it shall come to pass at that day, that I will break the bow of Israel in the valley of Jezreel.

  • Jeremiah 51:56

    Because the spoiler is come upon her, [even] upon Babylon, and her mighty men are taken, every one of their bows is broken: for the LORD God of recompences shall surely requite.

  • Psalms 46:9

    He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.

  • 2 Samuel 17:23

    And when Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled [his] ass, and arose, and gat him home to his house, to his city, and put his household in order, and hanged himself, and died, and was buried in the sepulchre of his father.