Psalms 37:2

For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.

For they shall soon {H4120} be cut down {H5243} like the grass {H2682}, and wither {H5034}{H8799)} as the green {H3418} herb {H1877}.

for soon they will wither like grass and fade like the green in the fields.

For they wither quickly like grass and wilt like tender plants.

For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, And wither as the green herb.

Context of Psalms 37:2

Psalm 37 is a wisdom psalm written by David, offering guidance and encouragement to the righteous who may feel discouraged or tempted to envy the apparent prosperity of the wicked. The preceding verse, Psalm 37:1, sets the stage by admonishing believers not to "fret thyself because of evildoers," nor to be envious of those who practice iniquity. Verse 2 immediately provides the reason for this counsel: the success and flourishing of the wicked are exceedingly temporary and ultimately lead to destruction.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Transience of the Wicked: The central message of this verse is the fleeting nature of the wicked's prosperity and presence. Their flourishing is depicted as superficial and short-lived, much like vegetation that appears vibrant but quickly fades.
  • Divine Justice and Judgment: Implicit in this verse is the certainty of God's ultimate justice. While the wicked may seem to thrive for a season, their end is predetermined and swift. This serves as a comfort to the righteous, reminding them that God is sovereign and will execute judgment in due time.
  • Contrast with Enduring Righteousness: This verse stands in stark contrast to the promises made to the righteous in Psalm 37, who are encouraged to "trust in the Lord" and "delight thyself also in the Lord," knowing that their inheritance and future are secure and enduring (Psalm 37:3-4).

Linguistic Insights

The imagery used in Psalms 37:2 is rich and evocative, drawing on common agricultural metaphors:

  • "cut down like the grass": The Hebrew word for "cut down" is karath (כָּרַת), which can mean to cut off, destroy, or utterly remove. "Grass" (chatziyr, חָצִיר) is a frequent biblical symbol for human frailty and the brevity of life, as seen in Isaiah 40:7-8, where it speaks of the grass withering and the flower fading.
  • "wither as the green herb": The term "wither" (nabhel, נָבֵל) conveys the idea of fading, falling away, or decaying. "Green herb" (yereq, יֶרֶק) emphasizes the freshness and initial vibrancy, making the subsequent withering even more striking. This vivid picture underscores the sudden and inevitable end of the wicked's temporal success, similar to how a plant, no matter how lush, cannot withstand the heat or the reaper.

Practical Application

Psalms 37:2 offers profound encouragement for believers today. In a world where it often appears that the unrighteous prosper and gain advantage, this verse reminds us not to be dismayed or to envy their temporary success. Their "victory" is an illusion, as fleeting as the morning dew. Instead, we are called to:

  • Cultivate Patience: Resist the urge to fret or react impulsively to injustice. God's timing is perfect.
  • Trust in Divine Sovereignty: Rest in the assurance that God sees all and will bring about His justice in His own way and time. The wicked's end is certain, as is the ultimate vindication of the righteous. This perspective helps us to leave vengeance to God.
  • Focus on Enduring Values: Rather than chasing after fleeting earthly gains, invest in what is eternal. The true prosperity is found in a relationship with God and obedience to His word, which yields lasting peace and inheritance (Matthew 6:20).
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • James 1:10

    But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.

  • James 1:11

    For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.

  • Psalms 92:7

    ¶ When the wicked spring as the grass, and when all the workers of iniquity do flourish; [it is] that they shall be destroyed for ever:

  • Psalms 90:5

    Thou carriest them away as with a flood; they are [as] a sleep: in the morning [they are] like grass [which] groweth up.

  • Psalms 90:6

    In the morning it flourisheth, and groweth up; in the evening it is cut down, and withereth.

  • Job 14:2

    He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not.

  • Psalms 37:35

    I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree.
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