TRV
Study This Verse
Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Psalms 37:34–40. His three-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.
The psalmist's conclusion of this sermon (for that is the nature of this poem) is of the same purport with the whole, and inculcates the same things.
I.The duty here pressed upon us is still the same (Psa 37:34):
Wait on the Lord and keep his way. Duty is ours, and we must mind it and make conscience of it, keep God's way and never turn out of it nor loiter in it, keep close, keep going; but events are God's and we must refer ourselves to him for the disposal of them; we must wait on the Lord, attend the motions of his providence, carefully observe them, and conscientiously accommodate ourselves to them. If we make conscience of keeping God's way, we may with cheerfulness wait on him and commit to him our way; and we shall find him a good Master both to his working servants and to his waiting servants.
II.The reasons to enforce this duty are much the same too, taken from the certain destruction of the wicked and the certain salvation of the righteous. This good man, being tempted to envy the prosperity of the wicked, that he might fortify himself against the temptation, goes into the sanctuary of God and leads us thither (Psa 73:17); there he understands their end, and thence gives us to understand it, and, by comparing that with the end of the righteous, baffles the temptation and puts it to silence. Observe,
1.The misery of the wicked at last, however they may prosper awhile: The end of the wicked shall be cut off (Psa 37:38); and that cannot be well that will undoubtedly end so ill. The wicked, in their end, will be cut off from all good and all hopes of it; a final period will be put to all their joys, and they will be for ever separated from the fountain of life to all evil.
(1.)Some instances of the remarkable ruin of wicked people David had himself observed in this world - that the pomp and prosperity of sinners would not secure them from the judgments of God when their day should come to fall (Psa 37:36, Psa 37:35): I have seen a wicked man (the word is singular), suppose Saul or Ahithophel (for David was an old man when he penned this psalm), in great power, formidable (so some render it), the terror of the mighty in the land of the living, carrying all before him with a high hand, and seeming to be firmly fixed and finely flourishing, spreading himself like a green bay-tree, which produces all leaves and no fruit; like a native home-born Israelite (so Dr. Hammond), likely to take root. But what became of him? Eliphaz, long before, had learned, when he saw the foolish taking root, to curse his habitation, Job 5:3. And David saw cause for it; for this bay-tree withered away as soon as the fig-tree. Christ cursed: He passed away as a dream, as a shadow, such was he and all the pomp and power he was so proud of. He was gone in an instant: He was not; I sought him with wonder, but he could not be found. He had acted his part and then quitted the stage, and there was no miss of him.
(2.)The total and final ruin of sinners, of all sinners, will shortly be made as much a spectacle to the saints as they are now sometimes made a spectacle to the world (Psa 37:34): When the wicked are cut off (and cut off they certainly will be) thou shalt see it, with awful adorations of the divine justice. The transgressors shall be destroyed together, Psa 37:38. In this world God singles out here one sinner and there another, out of many, to be made an example in terrorem - as a warning; but in the day of judgment there will be a general destruction of all the transgressors, and not one shall escape. Those that have sinned together shall be damned together. Bind them in bundles, to burn them.
2.The blessedness of the righteous, at last. Let us see what will be the end of God's poor despised people.
(1.)Preferment. There have been times the iniquity of which has been such that men's piety has hindered their preferment in this world, and put them quite out of the way of raising estates; but those that keep God's way may be assured that in due time he will exalt them, to inherit the land (Psa 37:34); he will advance them to a place in the heavenly mansions, to dignity, and honour, and true wealth, in the New Jerusalem, to inherit that good land, that land of promise, of which Canaan was a type; he will exalt them above all contempt and danger.
(2.)Peace, Psa 37:37. Let all people mark the perfect man, and behold the upright; take notice of him to admire him and imitate him, keep your eye upon him to observe what comes of him, and you will find that the end of that man is peace. Sometimes the latter end of his days proves more comfortable to him than the beginning was; the storms blow over, and he is comforted again, after the time that he was afflicted. However, if all his days continue dark and cloudy, perhaps his dying day may prove comfortable to him and his sun may set in brightness; or, if it should set under a cloud, yet his future state will be peace, everlasting peace. Those that walk in their uprightness while they live shall enter into peace when they die, Isa 57:2. A peaceful death has concluded the troublesome life of many a good man; and all is well that thus ends everlastingly well. Balaam himself wished that his death and his last end might be like that of the righteous Num 23:10.
(3.)Salvation, Psa 37:39, Psa 37:40. The salvation of the righteous (which may be applied to the great salvation of which the prophets enquired and searched diligently, Pe1 1:10) is of the Lord; it will be the Lord's doing. The eternal salvation, that salvation of God which those shall see that order their conversation aright (Psa 50:23), is likewise of the Lord. And he that intends Christ and heaven for them will be a God all-sufficient to them: He is their strength in time of trouble, to support them under it and carry them through it. He shall help them and deliver them, help them to do their duties, to bear their burdens, and to maintain their spiritual conflicts, help them to bear their troubles well and get good by them, and, in due time, shall deliver them out of their troubles. He shall deliver them from the wicked that would overwhelm them and swallow them up, shall secure them there, where the wicked cease from troubling. He shall save them, not only keep them safe, but make them happy, because they trust in him, not because they have merited it from him, but because they have committed themselves to him and reposed a confidence in him, and have thereby honoured him.
Historical interpretation
Three Centuries of Reception
3 surviving comments on this verse. Each one is dated, so this reads as a timeline rather than a list.
Select a marker to jump to its quote. Markers stagger vertically where authors wrote within a few decades of each other.
It is right and holy therefore, men and brethren, rather to obey God than to follow those who, through pride and sedition, have become the leaders of a detestable emulation. For we shall incur no slight injury, but rather great danger, if we rashly yield ourselves to the inclinations of men who aim at exciting strife and tumults, so as to draw us away from what is good. Let us be kind one to another after the pattern of the tender mercy and benignity of our Creator. For it is written, "The kind-hearted shall inhabit the land, and the guiltless shall be left upon it, but transgressors shall be destroyed from off the face of it." [Proverbs 2:21-22] And again [the Scripture] says, "I saw the ungodly highly exalted, and lifted up like the cedars of Lebanon: I passed by, and, behold, he was not; and I diligently sought his place, and could not find it. Preserve innocence, and look on equity: for there shall be a remnant to the peaceable man." [Psalm 37:35-37]
(V. 37.) Keep innocence, and see equity. Whoever keeps innocence, sees equity; for whoever is pure sees God, whose staff is upright, and upright is his justice; to turn away from those who turn to the pursuit of wickedness. Blessed is innocence, which sees God. Finally, others have added: Keep perfection; for he is perfect who knows no evil, nor does he know deceit. Therefore, it says: Keep perfection; for there are remnants for a peaceful man. Relics are said to be from the body of the dead, from his remains. They are called relics because after the death of a person, they appear to survive; for what remains are preserved for resurrection. Indeed, it is necessary for this corruptible to put on incorruption, and for this mortal to put on immortality. Therefore, relics are more so the hope of resurrection for a person, and the faith of conversion, and the grace of love; since the wicked do not rise to judgment; but the life of the Just is known to God, and is proven by the judgment of the Lord. To this place it beautifully applies, 'According to the election of grace, the remnant has been saved.' (Rom. 11:5).
"Keep innocency" [Psalm 37:37]; keep it even as you used to keep your purse, when thou were covetous; even as you used to hold fast that purse, that it might not be snatched from your grasp by the thief, even so "keep innocency," lest that be snatched from your grasp by the devil. Be that your sure inheritance, of which the rich and the poor may both be sure. "Keep innocency." What does it profit you to gain gold, and to lose innocence?
"Keep innocency, and take heed unto the thing which is right." Keep thou your eyes "right," that you may see "the thing which is right;" not perverted, wherewith you look upon the wicked; not distorted, so that God should appear to you distorted and wrong, in that He favours the wicked, and afflicts the faithful with persecutions. Do you not observe how distorted your vision is? Set right your eyes, and "behold the thing that is right." What "thing that is right"? Take no heed of things present. And what will you see?
"For there is a remainder for the man that makes peace." What is meant by "there is a remainder"? When you are dead, you shall not be dead. This is the meaning of "there is a remainder." He will still have something remaining to him, even after this life, that is to say, that "seed," which "shall be blessed." Whence our Lord says, "He that believes in Me, though he die, yet shall he live;" [John 11:25] — "seeing there is a remainder for the man that makes peace."
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Summary
Psalms 37:37 offers a profound and comforting directive, urging believers to diligently observe and contemplate the life trajectory of individuals characterized by integrity and moral uprightness. It assures them that the ultimate outcome and destiny of such a life is profound, comprehensive peace, a divine flourishing that stands in stark contrast to the fleeting, often deceptive, prosperity of the wicked—a pervasive theme woven throughout this entire wisdom psalm.
Context
Literary Context
Psalm 37 is a didactic wisdom psalm, traditionally attributed to David, structured loosely as an acrostic. Its primary purpose is to instruct and comfort the righteous who are perplexed or distressed by the apparent success and flourishing of the wicked, while the godly often endure hardship. The psalm repeatedly counsels against "fretting" (e.g., Psalm 37:1), instead advocating for trust in the Lord, doing good, and patiently waiting for His justice to unfold. Verse 37:37 functions as a climactic summary statement regarding the blessed "end" of the righteous, directly contrasting with the repeated declarations of the wicked's ultimate destruction and perishing, as seen in verses like Psalm 37:20 and Psalm 37:38. It provides a final, encouraging word on the enduring legacy of a life lived in faithfulness to God, serving as a powerful counterpoint to the temporary nature of ungodly success.
Historical & Cultural Context
Composed within ancient Israel's rich wisdom tradition, Psalm 37 reflects a worldview where divine blessing was often understood in terms of tangible prosperity, longevity, and security within the promised land. The tension between righteous suffering and wicked prosperity was a significant theological challenge for the covenant community, prompting wisdom literature to offer a long-term, covenantal perspective. The concept of "inheriting the land" (e.g., Psalm 37:9) was deeply significant, signifying not just physical territory but God's enduring favor, security, and holistic well-being within the covenant community. The psalm encourages a shift from immediate observation of circumstances to a patient trust in God's ultimate justice and providential care, which would manifest in the "end" or future of the righteous, often understood as their lineage and legacy within the land.
Key Themes
This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Psalm 37 and biblical wisdom literature. Firstly, it underscores The Ultimate Reward of Righteousness, asserting that a life marked by integrity and devotion to God culminates in a profound and lasting peace, a comprehensive well-being (shalom) that transcends temporal circumstances. This peace is not merely the absence of conflict but a divinely secured state of flourishing. Secondly, it implicitly affirms God's Unwavering Justice and Providence, reassuring the faithful that despite present appearances, God ensures the ultimate vindication and blessing of those who walk in His ways, contrasting sharply with the temporary gains and ultimate destruction of the ungodly (e.g., Psalm 37:10). Finally, the verse calls for Patience, Observance, and a Long-Term Perspective, urging believers to "mark" and "behold" the lives of the righteous, thereby cultivating a trust in God's overarching plan rather than being swayed by immediate injustices or fleeting prosperity. This theme is central to the psalm's repeated exhortations to "rest in the Lord" and "wait patiently for Him" (e.g., Psalm 37:7).
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
This word signifies completeness; usually (morally) pious; specifically, gentle, dear; coupled together, perfect, plain, undefiled, upright. In this context, it does not imply sinless perfection in an absolute sense, but rather a sincerity, moral soundness, and consistency in one's walk with God, free from duplicity or compromise. It speaks to a life lived in alignment with God's covenant, characterized by integrity and wholeness of devotion.
Meaning straight (literally or figuratively); convenient, equity, Jasher, just, meet(-est), [phrase] pleased well right(-eous), straight, (most) upright(-ly, -ness). This term describes someone whose path, character, and actions are in alignment with God's commands and righteous standards. It denotes rectitude and integrity in conduct, reflecting a life that is not crooked or perverse but walks directly in God's ways, demonstrating moral consistency and honesty.
Meaning safe, i.e. (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e. health, prosperity, peace; [idiom] do, familiar, [idiom] fare, favour, [phrase] friend, [idiom] great, (good) health, ([idiom] perfect, such as be at) peace(-able, -ably), prosper(-ity, -ous), rest, safe(-ty), salute, welfare, ([idiom] all is, be) well, [idiom] wholly. Far more than merely the absence of conflict, shalom encompasses a holistic state of comprehensive well-being, wholeness, prosperity, health, harmony, and security in all aspects of life—spiritual, emotional, relational, and physical. It represents a state of flourishing and divine blessing, the ultimate good that God bestows upon His faithful.
Verse Breakdown
"Mark the perfect [man], and behold the upright"
These are two parallel imperative commands, urging the reader to actively observe, consider deeply, and fix their attention upon the lives of those who embody integrity (tām) and moral rectitude (yâshâr). The Hebrew verbs "mark" (H8104, shâmar, to guard, observe carefully) and "behold" (H7200, râʼâh, to see, discern) emphasize the importance of learning from the example of the righteous, studying their character and conduct as a pattern for one's own life and as tangible evidence of God's faithfulness. It is an invitation to discern the true nature of blessedness.
"for the end of [that] man [is] peace"
This clause provides the compelling reason for the preceding commands. The Hebrew word for "end" (H319, ʼachărîyth) refers to the outcome, future, or destiny. It speaks to the ultimate conclusion of one's life or path, not necessarily just at death, but the full unfolding of their life's trajectory, including their legacy and posterity. The promise is that the ultimate destiny or final state of such a person is shalom—a profound, comprehensive, and enduring well-being that is divinely secured, contrasting sharply with the "end" of the wicked, which is destruction and perishing.
Literary Devices
Psalm 37:37 employs several impactful literary devices that enhance its message. The most prominent is Parallelism, specifically Synonymous Parallelism, where "Mark the perfect [man]" is echoed and reinforced by "and behold the upright." Both phrases convey the same core idea of careful observation and discernment, emphasizing the importance of studying righteous character. The verse also uses Imperative Mood ("Mark," "behold"), directly commanding the reader to take action, making the instruction personal, urgent, and actionable. There is an implicit Contrast at play, as the entire psalm sets the "end" of the righteous against the "end" of the wicked, making the promise of peace for the upright all the more striking and comforting. Finally, the concept of a life having an "end" or "outcome" can be seen as a subtle Metaphor of life as a journey or path, leading to a specific destination or destiny, with peace as the ultimate, divinely appointed destination for the faithful.
Theological and Thematic Connections
This verse profoundly articulates the biblical principle of divine recompense and the enduring nature of true blessedness. It underscores that while the righteous may face temporal difficulties and suffer injustice, their ultimate destiny is secured by God's faithfulness and justice. The peace promised is not merely a cessation of trouble but a holistic well-being (shalom) that flows from a right relationship with God, a peace that the world cannot give or take away. This aligns with the broader biblical narrative that God is just, sovereign, and that His covenant promises to His faithful people are unwavering, culminating in a state of flourishing that is both a present experience and an eschatological hope. It encourages a long-term, eternal perspective on life's trials and triumphs, grounding hope in God's unchanging character rather than fleeting circumstances or the deceptive appearances of the present age.
Reflection and Application
In a world often driven by immediate gratification, superficial appearances, and the relentless pursuit of fleeting success, Psalms 37:37 offers a timeless anchor for the soul. It calls us to shift our gaze from the temporary triumphs of the ungodly to the enduring legacy of those who faithfully walk with God. This verse challenges us to prioritize character over convenience, integrity over expediency, and a deep-rooted trust in God's ultimate plan over anxiety about present circumstances. It reminds us that true peace—the comprehensive shalom of God—is not found in the absence of external conflict, but in the internal wholeness and security that comes from living a life of obedience and devotion to the Lord. Our calling is to live in such a way that our "end" testifies to God's goodness, becoming a beacon of hope and a testament to His faithfulness for those who "mark" and "behold" our lives, inspiring them to pursue the path of righteousness.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does "perfect man" mean in this context, given that no human is sinless?
The Hebrew word for "perfect" (תָּם, tām) in Psalms 37:37 does not imply absolute sinless perfection, which is unattainable for humans (see Romans 3:23). Instead, it refers to a person of integrity, blamelessness, and wholeness of heart. It describes someone whose devotion to God is sincere and consistent, whose character is sound, and who strives to live in accordance with God's commands without hypocrisy or duplicity. It's about being "complete" or "wholehearted" in one's walk with God, rather than being flawlessly without fault.
How does this verse relate to the broader theme of the prosperity of the wicked in Psalm 37?
Psalms 37:37 serves as a direct contrast and ultimate answer to the persistent problem addressed throughout the psalm: the apparent prosperity of the wicked and the struggles of the righteous. While the psalm acknowledges the temporary flourishing of the ungodly, it repeatedly asserts that their "end" will be destruction and perishing (e.g., Psalm 37:20). Conversely, this verse assures the reader that the "end" of the righteous is peace. It encourages a long-term perspective, emphasizing God's ultimate justice and the enduring blessing He bestows upon His faithful, providing comfort and a reason not to "fret" over present injustices or the fleeting successes of the ungodly.
Is the "peace" promised in this verse only for the afterlife, or does it apply to this life as well?
The "peace" (שָׁלוֹם, shalom) promised in Psalms 37:37 encompasses both present and future realities. While it certainly points to an ultimate, eternal state of well-being and security with God, shalom in the Old Testament also signifies a comprehensive, holistic flourishing experienced in this life. This includes spiritual tranquility, emotional wholeness, harmonious relationships, and a sense of divine favor and security, even amidst trials. Therefore, the upright person can experience aspects of this peace in the here and now, even as they anticipate its full and perfect realization in their ultimate destiny, which may extend beyond physical life into eternal blessedness.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
Psalms 37:37 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. He is the quintessential "perfect man" and the perfectly "upright" one, the only human who lived a life of absolute integrity, blamelessness, and unwavering obedience to God, without sin (as affirmed in Hebrews 4:15 and 1 Peter 2:22). His "end"—His sacrificial death on the cross and victorious resurrection—was not one of perishing, but the ultimate act that secured true and lasting "peace" for all humanity. Through His atoning work, Christ became our peace (Ephesians 2:14), reconciling us to God and breaking down the wall of hostility that separated humanity from its Creator. Believers, by being united with Christ through faith, are declared righteous in Him (Romans 5:1) and participate in His peace, both a present reality of reconciliation and an eternal inheritance. Thus, when we "mark" and "behold" Christ, we see the perfect embodiment of righteousness whose "end" brought about the very shalom that God promises to His people, a peace that transcends all understanding (Philippians 4:7) and is the foundation of our eternal hope (e.g., John 14:27).