Psalms 37:28

KJV

For the LORD loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.

KJV (with Strong's)

For the LORD {H3068} loveth {H157} judgment {H4941}, and forsaketh {H5800}{H8799)} not his saints {H2623}; they are preserved {H8104}{H8738)} for ever {H5769}: but the seed {H2233} of the wicked {H7563} shall be cut off {H3772}{H8738)}.

Complete Jewish Bible

For ADONAI loves justice and will not abandon his faithful; they are preserved forever. But the descendants of the wicked will be cut off.

Berean Standard Bible

For the LORD loves justice and will not forsake His saints. They are preserved forever, but the offspring of the wicked will be cut off.

American Standard Version

For Jehovah loveth justice, And forsaketh not his saints; They are preserved for ever: But the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 37:28 stands as a profound declaration of God's unchanging character, asserting His inherent delight in justice and His unwavering faithfulness to His devoted followers. It sharply contrasts the enduring preservation and eternal security of the righteous with the certain, ultimate demise and lack of lasting legacy for the wicked. This verse provides a theological bedrock for the psalm's overarching message: to trust in the Lord and not fret over the temporary prosperity of evildoers, for God's perfect justice will ultimately prevail, ensuring distinct and eternal outcomes for those who align with Him and those who oppose Him.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 37 is a wisdom psalm, likely attributed to David, structured as an acrostic (though not perfectly maintained throughout) that offers practical advice and theological assurance to the righteous. It addresses the perennial human struggle of observing the wicked prosper while the righteous suffer. The psalm repeatedly counsels patience, trust, and commitment to good deeds, rather than envy or despair. Verse 28 acts as a pivotal theological anchor, providing the divine rationale for the psalm's exhortations. It builds upon earlier statements about the wicked perishing, as seen in [the fading of grass](/psalms/37-2 "Psalm 37:2 - Wicked Wither Like Grass"), and the righteous inheriting the land, a promise reiterated in [Psalm 37:9](/psalms/37-9 "Psalm 37:9 - The Righteous Inherit the Land"), solidifying God's character as the immutable basis for these contrasting outcomes. This verse is a concise summary of the psalm's core argument regarding divine justice and recompense.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Written in an ancient Near Eastern context, likely during the Israelite monarchy, the psalm reflects a society where justice was often administered by human kings and judges, yet the ultimate arbiter was understood to be God. The concept of "seed" (posterity) was paramount in ancient Israel, representing a family's legacy, inheritance, and continuity. To be "cut off" meant not only death but the termination of one's lineage and remembrance from the community or the land, a severe form of divine judgment that implied the obliteration of one's name and future influence. Conversely, "preservation" and a lasting "seed" signified divine blessing, a secure future, and the continuation of one's heritage. The psalm's audience would have understood the deep cultural implications of these contrasting destinies, reinforcing the importance of living righteously under God's covenant.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully encapsulates several key themes prevalent in Psalm 37 and the broader wisdom literature. Firstly, it underscores God's **unwavering justice** (`mishpat`), portraying Him not just as a judge who punishes but as one whose very nature delights in what is right and equitable. This divine attribute guarantees that chaos will not have the final word, and that ultimate equity will be established. Secondly, it highlights God's **covenant faithfulness** (`chesed` implied in His relationship with His "saints"), assuring His people of His enduring loyalty and protection. This theme of divine preservation is central, offering profound comfort and stability. Thirdly, the verse presents a stark **eschatological distinction** between the righteous and the wicked, emphasizing the temporary nature of worldly success for the ungodly and the ultimate, eternal security of those devoted to God. This dual outcome reinforces the wisdom tradition's emphasis on the two ways of life, as seen in [Proverbs 2:21-22](/proverbs/2-21-22 "Proverbs 2:21-22 - The Upright Inherit the Land, the Wicked are Cut Off").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **loveth (Hebrew, _ʼâhab'_):** This primitive root signifies a deep affection, whether sexual or otherwise. When applied to the LORD, it denotes His intrinsic and profound delight in "judgment" (justice). It's not merely that God approves of justice, but that it is an inherent part of His very being and character, something He passionately embraces and embodies. This love drives His actions and governance.
* **judgment (Hebrew, _mishpâṭ'_):** This word is rich in meaning, extending beyond mere punitive justice to encompass righteous governance, equitable dealings, and what is morally right and just. It refers to a verdict, a formal decree, the act of judging, the place of judgment, and abstractly, justice itself, including a participant's right or privilege. When the text states "the LORD loveth judgment," it signifies that justice, fairness, and righteousness are not just attributes of God, but intrinsic to His very character and being. His actions are always aligned with His perfect standard of righteousness, which serves as the foundation for His administration over all creation and His covenant relationship with humanity.
* **saints (Hebrew, _châçîyd'_):** Derived from the root `châçad` (to be kind, merciful), this term properly means "kind" or "pious." Religiously, it refers to God's "godly" or "holy ones"—those who demonstrate `chesed` (loyal love, steadfast mercy, covenant faithfulness) towards God through their devotion, obedience, and trust. In return, God shows `chesed` to them, emphasizing a mutual, covenantal relationship of faithfulness and steadfast love. The term highlights not just moral uprightness but a deep, reciprocal bond with the divine, making them the recipients of His special care.
* **preserved (Hebrew, _shâmar'_):** This primitive root means to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., to guard; generally, to protect, attend to, or keep. In the context of "they are preserved for ever," it conveys an enduring, perpetual protection and a lasting legacy. It emphasizes God's continuous, unwavering watch care over His people, securing their spiritual well-being, their ultimate destiny, and their lasting inheritance beyond the temporal realm.
* **seed (Hebrew, _zeraʻ'_):** From the root `zâraʻ` (to sow), this word literally means "seed." Figuratively, it refers to fruit, plant, sowing-time, or, most relevant here, posterity. In this verse, "the seed of the wicked" refers to their descendants, their lineage, and by extension, their lasting legacy and influence. The fate of one's "seed" was of paramount importance in ancient Israel, symbolizing the continuity and success of a family or individual.
* **cut off (Hebrew, _kârath'_):** This primitive root means to cut (off, down, or asunder). By implication, it means to destroy or consume. It is a strong term, often used in the Old Testament to denote a severe form of divine judgment resulting in complete termination. It implies not just physical death but the eradication of one's lineage, influence, and memory from the community or the land. It signifies a definitive end to their prosperity and legacy, standing in stark contrast to the eternal preservation promised to the righteous.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For the LORD loveth judgment":** This opening clause establishes the fundamental premise for the entire verse and, indeed, much of the psalm's argument. It grounds God's actions in His inherent nature. God's love for judgment means that He is intrinsically committed to what is right, fair, and morally upright. His governance of the world is not arbitrary but flows from His perfect righteousness, ensuring that ultimately, justice will prevail as an expression of His very character.
* **"and forsaketh not his saints":** This clause reveals a direct consequence of God's love for judgment. Because He is just and righteous, He is also faithful to those who are devoted to Him. His "saints" (His faithful, pious ones) are never abandoned or left destitute. This speaks to God's unwavering covenant loyalty and His steadfast commitment to His people, providing immense assurance of His continuous presence, support, and care.
* **"they are preserved for ever":** This phrase elaborates on the nature of God's faithfulness to His saints. Their preservation is not temporary or contingent but eternal and secure. This "preservation" encompasses their spiritual well-being, their ultimate destiny, and a lasting legacy that transcends earthly life. It signifies that God's protective hand ensures their ultimate good and eternal security, contrasting sharply with the fleeting nature of worldly success. This is a divine guarantee of their enduring existence and blessed future.
* **"but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off":** This concluding clause provides the stark antithesis, highlighting the ultimate fate of those who oppose God's ways. "The seed of the wicked" refers to their posterity, their legacy, and their influence. To be "cut off" signifies a complete and definitive termination, implying that their prosperity, though it may flourish for a season, will ultimately lead to ruin, and their name and influence will not endure. This serves as a powerful reminder of God's ultimate judgment and the futility of a life lived apart from Him, emphasizing that there is no lasting future for those who reject His righteousness.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Psalms 37:28 is **Antithetical Parallelism**. The verse is structured to present a clear contrast between two opposing ideas or groups: the righteous (God's saints) and the wicked. The first half of the verse ("For the LORD loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever") describes God's character and the positive, enduring outcome for His faithful ones. The second half ("but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off") presents a direct and opposing consequence for the ungodly, highlighting their ultimate termination. This stark contrast emphasizes the definitive and differing destinies determined by one's relationship with God. Additionally, **Metaphor** is used with "seed" representing posterity or legacy, and "cut off" serving as a vivid metaphor for complete termination or destruction of that legacy. The phrase "the LORD loveth judgment" also employs **Personification**, attributing a human emotion (love) to an abstract concept (judgment) to emphasize God's deep, intrinsic commitment to righteousness.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 37:28 is a profound theological statement that undergirds the entire biblical narrative of God's interaction with humanity. It affirms God's absolute sovereignty and His moral governance over the universe. His "love for judgment" means that His very being is righteousness, and therefore, His actions are always perfectly just and true. This divine attribute guarantees that chaos will not have the final word, and that ultimate equity will be established. Furthermore, the verse highlights the unbreakable nature of God's covenant faithfulness to His people, a theme that runs from Abraham to the New Covenant. The contrasting destinies of the righteous and the wicked point to a foundational biblical truth: there are two paths in life, and each leads to a distinct and ultimate outcome, reflecting God's perfect justice and His unwavering commitment to His kingdom.
* [Deuteronomy 32:4](/deuteronomy/32-4 "Deuteronomy 32:4 - God is the Rock, His work is perfect")
* [Hebrews 13:5](/hebrews/13-5 "Hebrews 13:5 - God's Promise to Never Leave or Forsake")
* [Psalm 1:6](/psalms/1-6 "Psalm 1:6 - The Way of the Righteous and the Way of the Ungodly")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This powerful verse offers immense comfort and a clear call to action for believers. In a world where injustice often seems to triumph and the wicked appear to flourish, Psalms 37:28 reminds us that God's character is the ultimate arbiter of truth and destiny. We are called not to fret or envy, but to anchor our hope and trust in the Lord, knowing that His love for judgment ensures that righteousness will ultimately prevail. Our security is not in our circumstances or earthly achievements, but in God's unwavering faithfulness to His "saints." This truth should empower us to live lives of integrity, perseverance, and active goodness, confident that our labor in the Lord is never in vain and that our spiritual inheritance and divine preservation are eternally secure in His hands. It encourages us to align our lives with God's righteous standards, knowing that His justice is both punitive for the wicked and redemptive and preserving for His own, ultimately leading to a life of lasting significance and eternal joy.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the truth of God's love for judgment shape your understanding of justice in the world, especially when you witness apparent injustice or the prosperity of the wicked?**
* **In what specific ways does the promise of God's preservation of His saints bring you comfort and security amidst life's uncertainties, challenges, or even the fear of death?**
* **Considering the contrasting destinies, how does this verse challenge you to live a life that reflects God's righteousness and faithfulness, even when it seems difficult or unrewarding in the short term, prioritizing eternal legacy over temporal gain?**

### FAQ
**What does "the LORD loveth judgment" truly imply about God's nature?**

Answer: It implies that justice, righteousness, and moral order are not merely external rules God imposes, but intrinsic aspects of His very character. God's love for judgment means He delights in what is right, fair, and equitable. His actions are always perfectly aligned with His holy standards, making Him the ultimate and trustworthy arbiter of all things. It assures us that His governance of the universe is founded on perfect integrity and truth, as seen in the declaration that [God is the Rock, His work is perfect, and all His ways are just](/deuteronomy/32-4 "Deuteronomy 32:4 - God is the Rock, His Work is Perfect").

**How are God's "saints" preserved forever, especially in light of physical death?**

Answer: The "preservation for ever" of God's saints refers to a multi-faceted and enduring security that transcends physical mortality. It encompasses their spiritual preservation, their eternal security in Christ, and a lasting legacy in God's kingdom. While believers experience physical death, their souls are eternally secure with God, and their ultimate resurrection is guaranteed. This promise points to a spiritual inheritance and a future hope that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for them, as described in [1 Peter 1:4](/1_peter/1-4 "1 Peter 1:4 - An Inheritance Imperishable and Undefiled"). It is a preservation of their identity, their relationship with God, and their ultimate destiny.

**What does it mean for "the seed of the wicked shall be cut off"?**

Answer: This phrase signifies the complete and definitive termination of the wicked's influence, legacy, and posterity in a meaningful sense. It implies that their earthly success and apparent prosperity are temporary and will not lead to a lasting heritage or a positive remembrance. While they may have physical descendants, their "seed" in terms of their impact, their name, and their influence will be brought to nothing in the long run, signifying divine judgment and the ultimate futility of a life lived in opposition to God's righteous ways. This stands in stark contrast to the enduring legacy of the righteous, as highlighted in [Proverbs 10:7](/proverbs/10-7 "Proverbs 10:7 - The Memory of the Righteous is Blessed"). It speaks to the ultimate consequence of rejecting God's ways: a lack of eternal significance and a final end to their rebellion.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 37:28 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. He is the perfect embodiment of God's "love for judgment," for in Him, God's righteousness is fully revealed and perfectly satisfied. On the cross, Jesus bore the judgment for humanity's sin, demonstrating God's unwavering commitment to justice while simultaneously providing a means for mercy and salvation, as He was presented as [a propitiation through faith in His blood, to demonstrate God's righteousness](/romans/3-25-26 "Romans 3:25-26 - God's Righteousness Displayed Through Christ"). Through faith in Him, believers are declared righteous and become God's "saints" (holy ones), chosen and preserved in Christ from [before the foundation of the world](/ephesians/1-4 "Ephesians 1:4 - Chosen in Christ Before the Foundation of the World"). Their "preservation for ever" is guaranteed by His resurrection, which conquered death and secured eternal life for all who believe, for [whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God So Loved the World"). Conversely, Jesus' triumph over sin and death ensures that the "seed of the wicked"—representing all who reject God's gracious offer in Christ and persist in rebellion—will ultimately be "cut off" in the final judgment, their power and influence completely nullified by the King of kings and Lord of lords, as they are cast into [the lake of fire, which is the second death](/revelation/20-14-15 "Revelation 20:14-15 - The Lake of Fire"). Thus, Christ is the means by which God's justice is perfectly upheld, His saints are eternally preserved, and all wickedness is definitively vanquished.

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

Psalms 11:7

For the righteous LORD loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright.

Proverbs 2:22

But the wicked shall be cut off from the earth, and the transgressors shall be rooted out of it.

Psalms 21:10

Their fruit shalt thou destroy from the earth, and their seed from among the children of men.

Isaiah 59:21

As for me, this [is] my covenant with them, saith the LORD; My spirit that [is] upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed's seed, saith the LORD, from henceforth and for ever.

Job 27:14

If his children be multiplied, [it is] for the sword: and his offspring shall not be satisfied with bread.

1 Peter 1:5

Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Jude 1:1

¶ Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, [and] called: