Psalms 37:32

KJV

The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him.

KJV (with Strong's)

The wicked {H7563} watcheth {H6822} the righteous {H6662}, and seeketh {H1245}{H8764)} to slay {H4191}{H8687)} him.

Complete Jewish Bible

The wicked keeps his eye on the righteous, seeking a chance to kill him.

Berean Standard Bible

Though the wicked lie in wait for the righteous, and seek to slay them,

American Standard Version

The wicked watcheth the righteous, And seeketh to slay him.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 37:32 offers a stark and sobering observation of the spiritual conflict inherent in a fallen world: the wicked actively and malevolently observe the righteous with the destructive intent to eliminate them. This verse encapsulates the persistent hostility and deliberate designs often directed towards those who walk in alignment with God's ways, serving as a poignant reminder of the pervasive opposition faced by the upright and setting the stage for the psalm's broader message of divine justice and ultimate vindication.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 37 is a wisdom psalm, attributed to David, designed to instruct and comfort believers who are perplexed by the apparent prosperity of the wicked and the suffering of the righteous. Structured as an alphabetic acrostic, it systematically contrasts the ultimate destinies of these two groups, urging steadfast trust in the Lord and unwavering commitment to doing good. This particular verse falls within a section (verses 30-33) that meticulously describes the character and actions of both the righteous and the wicked. While [Psalms 37:30-31](/psalms/37-30-31 "Psalms 37:30-31 - The Wisdom and Law of the Righteous") detail the wisdom and integrity of the righteous, [Psalms 37:33](/psalms/37-33 "Psalms 37:33 - God's Protection of the Righteous") immediately follows with a powerful assurance of God's protection over them. Thus, [Psalms 37:32](/psalms/37-32 "Psalms 37:32 - The Wicked Watch the Righteous") serves as a vivid, unvarnished portrayal of the present reality of conflict and malice, intensifying the comfort and significance of the divine assurance that follows.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Composed likely during a period when David observed significant societal injustices, this psalm reflects the common Old Testament dilemma of theodicy – the question of why the wicked often prosper while the righteous suffer. In ancient Israel, societal well-being and individual prosperity were frequently perceived as indicators of divine favor, making the success of the ungodly particularly perplexing and challenging to faith. The "watching" and "seeking to slay" described in the verse could refer to various forms of persecution prevalent in the ancient Near East, ranging from legal manipulation, false accusations, and economic oppression to direct physical violence or assassination plots. These were common tactics employed by those in positions of power or influence against perceived threats or rivals. The psalm implicitly addresses a community grappling with these visible realities, offering a divine, long-term perspective that transcends immediate appearances and societal norms.
* **Key Themes:** [Psalms 37](/psalms/37 "Psalms 37 - Trust in the Lord") is profoundly shaped by themes of **Divine Justice** and **Ultimate Vindication**, consistently assuring the reader that God will ultimately rectify all wrongs, despite present inequities. It strongly emphasizes **Trust and Patience in the Lord**, urging believers not to fret or envy the wicked but to commit their way to God and wait for His timing. The psalm also draws a **Stark Contrast between the Righteous and the Wicked**, not only in their actions and character but, more significantly, in their ultimate destinies. [Psalms 37:32](/psalms/37-32 "Psalms 37:32 - The Wicked Watch the Righteous") contributes powerfully to these themes by vividly illustrating the active malice and destructive intent of the wicked, thereby underscoring the very real opposition faced by the righteous. This portrayal makes God's subsequent vindication and protection all the more significant and comforting, echoing a recurring motif of conflict throughout Scripture, from the earliest narratives of Cain and Abel in [Genesis 4:8](/genesis/4-8 "Genesis 4:8 - Cain Kills Abel") to New Testament warnings about persecution for righteousness' sake, as seen in [Matthew 5:10-12](/matthew/5-10-12 "Matthew 5:10-12 - Blessed Are the Persecuted").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Wicked (Hebrew, _râshâʻ'_):** This term (H7563) denotes someone who is morally wrong, ungodly, and actively bad. It describes a person whose fundamental orientation is away from God's righteous standards, often manifesting in oppressive and unjust actions towards others. It signifies not merely an occasional sin, but a deep-seated character flaw and a deliberate choice to disregard divine law, leading to a life characterized by malevolence.
* **Watcheth (Hebrew, _tsâphâh'_):** This verb (H6822) implies a deliberate, often insidious, observation or surveillance. It suggests a patient, focused peering into the distance, indicative of a strategic monitoring with an ulterior, hostile motive. The wicked are not merely aware of the righteous; they are actively scrutinizing them, seeking vulnerabilities, opportunities, or flaws to exploit for their destructive purposes. This "watching" is a prelude to plotting and harm.
* **Seeketh (Hebrew, _bâqash'_):** This primitive root (H1245) signifies an active, determined search or pursuit. It implies a strong desire and a focused effort to achieve a specific outcome. When combined with "to slay," it underscores that the wicked's observation is not passive but driven by a deliberate and persistent intention to bring about the destruction of the righteous.
* **Slay (Hebrew, _mûwth'_):** As a primitive root (H4191), this word means to die, or causatively, to kill. In this context, "to slay" (lehamit) denotes a determined effort to bring about death or complete destruction. While it can refer to literal physical death, it also encompasses any act designed to utterly destroy the righteous person's reputation, influence, livelihood, faith, or overall well-being, aiming at their complete eradication.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The wicked watcheth the righteous,"**: This initial clause establishes the active, malevolent posture of the wicked. They are not indifferent observers but are keenly observant of the righteous, studying their ways, perhaps looking for flaws, weaknesses, or opportunities to ensnare them. This "watching" is a calculated act, revealing a deep-seated antagonism towards those who embody God's standards and a precursor to hostile action. It underscores the spiritual conflict at play, where evil actively targets good.
* **"and seeketh to slay him."**: This second clause reveals the ultimate, destructive intent behind the wicked's persistent observation. Their watching is not idle curiosity; it is purposeful, aiming at the complete annihilation or ruin of the righteous. The term "slay" (Hebrew: *hamit*) encompasses not only literal death but also the destruction of one's livelihood, reputation, influence, or spirit. This highlights the extreme malice of the wicked, whose opposition extends to desiring the very eradication of righteousness from their presence and the world.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 37:32 powerfully conveys its message through several effective literary devices. **Antithesis** is foundational, immediately establishing a stark contrast between "the wicked" and "the righteous," thereby highlighting the fundamental opposition between these two ways of life and their adherents. The verse also employs **Personification** by attributing active, malicious intent ("watcheth," "seeketh to slay") to the abstract concept of "the wicked," making their hostility tangible and immediate, almost as if evil itself is a predatory agent. Furthermore, the phrase "seeketh to slay him" provides **Vivid Imagery**, painting a chilling picture of determined, destructive intent, which evokes a sense of danger and urgency for the righteous, emphasizing the severity of the threat they face.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly articulates the reality of spiritual warfare and the inherent, irreconcilable conflict between light and darkness in the world. It serves as a stark reminder that walking in righteousness frequently provokes hostility from those aligned with evil, who perceive the upright as a direct challenge to their own ungodly ways and a condemnation of their actions. However, the psalm's broader, overarching message is one of divine sovereignty and ultimate justice, assuring believers that while the wicked may plot and scheme, their designs will ultimately fail. God is the ultimate protector and vindicator of His people, and their apparent vulnerability is never beyond His watchful eye and powerful intervention. This theme resonates throughout Scripture, affirming God's unwavering commitment to His covenant people and His righteous judgment against those who oppose Him, ensuring that the righteous will endure and inherit what is promised.

* [Psalms 37:33](/psalms/37-33 "Psalms 37:33 - God's Protection and Vindication")
* [Proverbs 4:16](/proverbs/4-16 "Proverbs 4:16 - The Wicked Cannot Sleep Without Doing Evil")
* [Matthew 5:10](/matthew/5-10 "Matthew 5:10 - Blessed Are the Persecuted")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 37:32 serves as a timeless and sobering reminder that living righteously in a fallen world does not exempt us from opposition; rather, it often invites it. The "watching" and "seeking to slay" of the wicked can manifest in myriad contemporary ways: through slander, social ostracization, professional sabotage, legal battles, or even direct persecution. This verse calls us to a sober awareness of the spiritual realities at play, urging us not to be naive about the pervasive nature of evil and its active malice. However, it also implicitly calls us to unwavering steadfastness. Knowing that the wicked are actively plotting should not lead to fear, despair, or a desire for retaliation, but rather to a deeper, more profound reliance on God's sovereign protection and a renewed commitment to living righteously. Our faithful response to such malice is not to fret or retaliate, but to continue to trust in the Lord, to do good, and to commit our way to Him, confident that He will ultimately vindicate us and bring His perfect justice to bear. This steadfastness, rooted in trust, becomes a powerful testimony to the enduring power of God in the face of human wickedness.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what subtle or overt ways might the "wicked" in our contemporary society "watch" and "seek to slay" the righteous?**
* **How does understanding the active malice of the wicked deepen your resolve to trust in God's protection and ultimate justice?**
* **What practical steps can believers take to remain steadfast in righteousness and faith when facing opposition or persecution, rather than succumbing to fear or retaliation?**

### FAQ
**Why does God allow the wicked to seemingly prosper and persecute the righteous, as implied in this verse?**

Answer: Psalms 37, in its entirety, is dedicated to addressing this profound and ancient question. While [Psalms 37:32](/psalms/37-32 "Psalms 37:32 - The Wicked Watch the Righteous") highlights the immediate reality of the wicked's malice and apparent success, the psalm's overarching message is that this prosperity and persecution are temporary and ultimately futile. God, in His sovereign wisdom and perfect timing, allows a season for the wicked to act, but their ultimate end is destruction and oblivion, while the righteous, though tested and tried, will inherit the earth and be eternally vindicated. This delay is not indifference on God's part but often serves divine purposes, such as testing and refining the faith of the righteous, demonstrating God's immense patience, and allowing time for the wicked to repent. The very next verse, [Psalms 37:33](/psalms/37-33 "Psalms 37:33 - God's Protection of the Righteous"), immediately reassures us that "The LORD will not leave him, nor condemn him when he is judged," indicating God's constant watchfulness and ultimate, decisive intervention.

**How should the righteous respond when they feel "watched" or targeted by the wicked?**

Answer: The psalm provides clear and repeated guidance for the righteous in the face of such opposition: "Fret not thyself because of evildoers" ([Psalms 37:1](/psalms/37-1 "Psalms 37:1 - Fret Not Thyself")). Instead of yielding to fear, anxiety, or a desire for retaliation, the righteous are called to actively trust in the Lord ([Psalms 37:3](/psalms/37-3 "Psalms 37:3 - Trust in the Lord")), to delight themselves in Him ([Psalms 37:4](/psalms/37-4 "Psalms 37:4 - Delight in the Lord")), to commit their way to Him ([Psalms 37:5](/psalms/37-5 "Psalms 37:5 - Commit Your Way to the Lord")), and to wait patiently for Him ([Psalms 37:7](/psalms/37-7 "Psalms 37:7 - Rest in the Lord")). This active trust involves continuing to do good, speaking truth, and living righteously, knowing with certainty that God Himself will ultimately bring forth their righteousness as the light and their judgment as the noonday ([Psalms 37:6](/psalms/37-6 "Psalms 37:6 - God Will Bring Forth Your Righteousness")).

**Is the "slaying" mentioned in this verse always literal death, or can it have a broader meaning?**

Answer: While "slay" (Hebrew: *hamit*) can certainly refer to literal physical death, in the context of wisdom literature and the broader biblical narrative, it often encompasses a broader range of destructive intentions and actions. The wicked may seek to destroy a person's reputation through slander, ruin their livelihood through economic oppression, undermine their influence through false accusations, or even break their spirit and faith through psychological torment. For instance, the religious leaders frequently sought to "destroy" Jesus's influence and credibility long before they literally sought His physical death ([Mark 3:6](/mark/3-6 "Mark 3:6 - Pharisees Plot Against Jesus")). Similarly, the wicked may attempt to "slay" the righteous through any means aimed at nullifying their impact, silencing their testimony, or breaking their spirit. The ultimate goal is to eliminate the righteous presence or testimony that stands in opposition to their ungodly ways.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 37:32 finds its most profound and ultimate fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. He was the perfectly righteous one, the only truly blameless individual to walk the earth, yet He was relentlessly "watched" by the wicked—the religious leaders, the Roman authorities, and even segments of the crowd—who consistently "sought to slay Him." From the moment of His birth, King Herod's murderous intent was clear ([Matthew 2:13](/matthew/2-13 "Matthew 2:13 - Herod Seeks to Kill Jesus")), and throughout His earthly ministry, the Pharisees and Sadducees continually plotted His demise, seeking opportunities to accuse and condemn Him ([John 5:18](/john/5-18 "John 5:18 - Jews Seek to Kill Jesus"), [John 7:1](/john/7-1 "John 7:1 - Jesus Avoids Judea")). Their watching was not for admiration or learning, but for accusation and ultimately, His crucifixion. Yet, in His "slaying" on the cross, Jesus did not succumb to the wicked's power but triumphed over it, disarming principalities and powers and making a public spectacle of them ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")). His glorious resurrection is the ultimate vindication of the righteous one, demonstrating unequivocally that the wicked's plots, even when seemingly successful, are ultimately futile against God's sovereign plan and purpose. Believers, as those united with Christ through faith, are called to share in His sufferings ([Philippians 3:10](/phil/3-10 "Philippians 3:10 - Sharing in Christ's Sufferings")), knowing that just as He was vindicated and exalted, so too will they be, through Him, ultimately inheriting the eternal kingdom where the wicked have no place and all injustice is finally undone ([Revelation 21:8](/revelation/21-8 "Revelation 21:8 - The Destiny of the Wicked")).

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 10:8

He sitteth in the lurking places of the villages: in the secret places doth he murder the innocent: his eyes are privily set against the poor.

Psalms 10:10

He croucheth, [and] humbleth himself, that the poor may fall by his strong ones.

Luke 19:47

And he taught daily in the temple. But the chief priests and the scribes and the chief of the people sought to destroy him,

Luke 19:48

And could not find what they might do: for all the people were very attentive to hear him.

Luke 14:1

¶ And it came to pass, as he went into the house of one of the chief Pharisees to eat bread on the sabbath day, that they watched him.

Luke 11:54

Laying wait for him, and seeking to catch something out of his mouth, that they might accuse him.

Acts 9:24

But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him.