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Commentary on Psalms 37 verses 34–40
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.
(Verse 38.) But the unjust will perish together; the remnants of the wicked will be destroyed. The remnants of the righteous are virtues; the remnants of the wicked are wickedness and the sin of treachery. They will be wiped away, so that they will not exist.
The salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; not from the world, not from an element. Heaven and earth will pass away. I do not entrust my salvation to heaven; because it too will pass away, for it is said of many heavens: They will perish, but you will remain. I entrust myself only to God, who remains, who can forgive sins; that He may be my protector in times of tribulation, that He may help me and deliver me, and snatch me from the sinners in the time of His judgment, and make me safe, for I have hoped in Him. In Him alone I have hoped; for He does not desire us to serve both Himself and others. He who serves Himself alone is liberated; for to Himself belongs praise, glory, and eternal power, both now and forever, and unto all ages of ages.
"But the transgressors shall be destroyed in the self-same thing" [Psalm 37:38]. What is meant by, "in the self-same thing"? It means for ever: or all together in one and the same destruction.
"The remainder of the wicked shall be cut off." Now there is "(a remainder) for the man that makes peace:" they therefore who are not peace-makers are ungodly. For, "Blessed are the peace-makers: for they shall be called the children of God." [Matthew 5:9]
The wicked will perish when salvation comes to the just from God, their protector in time of tribulation. The Lord helps and frees them and snatches them from sinners and saves them since they hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
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SUMMARY
Psalm 37:38 serves as a profound declaration of divine justice, providing a stark and unequivocal contrast between the fleeting prosperity of the unrighteous and their ultimate, inevitable destruction. It asserts that "But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off," offering solemn reassurance to the faithful that despite the apparent inequities of this world, God's moral order will prevail. This verse underscores the certainty of divine accountability, affirming that those who persist in rebellion against God face a comprehensive and irreversible demise, while the righteous are secured in their enduring inheritance.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Psalm 37:38 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message with striking clarity and force. Synonymous Parallelism is prominently featured, where the two clauses—"the transgressors shall be destroyed together" and "the end of the wicked shall be cut off"—express the same core idea of ultimate ruin for the ungodly using different but reinforcing imagery. This repetition amplifies the certainty and comprehensiveness of divine judgment. There is also a strong Contrast at play, not only within the psalm itself (pitting the destiny of the wicked against the righteous, especially in relation to Psalm 37:37), but also between the temporary appearance of prosperity and the ultimate reality of destruction. The phrase "cut off" functions as a powerful Metaphor for complete annihilation and severance, drawing on vivid imagery of something being violently separated and removed, signifying an irreversible end to their existence and influence. Furthermore, the verse serves as an Aphorism or proverbial statement, a concise and memorable truth designed to instruct and reassure the reader about the fundamental moral order of the cosmos under God's righteous rule.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalm 37:38 is a profound statement on divine justice, assuring believers that God is neither indifferent to evil nor will He allow wickedness to ultimately triumph. It speaks directly to the problem of theodicy, providing comfort and a long-term, eternal perspective when immediate circumstances suggest injustice. This verse posits that while the wicked may flourish for a season, their prosperity is fleeting, and their ultimate end is certain destruction, a stark contrast to the enduring peace and inheritance promised to the righteous. It reinforces the biblical principle that God will ultimately set all things right, demonstrating His sovereignty over human destiny and the moral order of the universe. This assurance encourages patience, trust, and continued righteousness, rather than succumbing to envy or despair in the face of perceived inequity.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalm 37:38 offers both a profound comfort to the righteous and a solemn warning to those who persist in rebellion against God. For the believer, this verse serves as an unshakeable anchor of hope and reassurance in a world often marked by apparent injustice and the flourishing of evil. When it seems that the wicked are succeeding, or that sin goes unpunished, this divine declaration reminds us that God sees, He knows, and His perfect justice will ultimately be served. It encourages us to cultivate patience and unwavering trust in the Lord, knowing that our enduring inheritance is secure, unlike the fleeting gains of the wicked. For those living in transgression, it is a stark and urgent call to repentance, emphasizing that a life of unrepentant sin leads to an inescapable and devastating end. God's patience is not indefinite, and the consequences of unrighteousness are severe and final. Ultimately, this verse reinforces the critical importance of living a life of integrity, righteousness, and humble reliance on God, rather than being swayed by the temporary fortunes or deceptive allure of the ungodly.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Does "destroyed together" imply a physical, immediate destruction for all wicked people, or something else?
Answer: While the language is strong and implies a comprehensive, collective end, "destroyed together" in this context does not necessarily mean simultaneous physical death for all wicked individuals. Rather, it refers to a shared ultimate destiny of ruin, contrasting sharply with the "peace" and secure "end" of the righteous (Psalm 37:37). It encompasses the destruction of their prosperity, influence, legacy, and ultimately their spiritual and eternal standing. The "cutting off" speaks to their complete removal from the realm of God's blessing and presence, a final and irreversible judgment that may manifest in various forms but culminates in ultimate separation from life and hope. It points to a definitive, divinely orchestrated end to their unrighteousness and its temporal gains.
How does this verse reconcile with the New Testament emphasis on grace and forgiveness?
Answer: Psalm 37:38, while an Old Testament declaration of justice, is entirely consistent with New Testament theology. The New Testament certainly emphasizes God's boundless grace and the offer of forgiveness through Christ, but it also unequivocally affirms the reality of ultimate judgment for those who reject that grace. God's justice is a consistent attribute across both testaments. The grace offered in the New Testament is precisely the means by which one can escape the "destruction" and "cutting off" described here. Those who embrace Christ's atoning work are no longer counted among the "transgressors" in terms of their ultimate destiny. However, for those who persist in unrepentant rebellion, the New Testament equally warns of a coming judgment and eternal separation from God, as seen in passages like Romans 2:5 which speaks of storing up wrath, and Hebrews 9:27 which declares that it is appointed for man to die once, and then face judgment. The "end of the wicked" remains a biblical truth, even as the glorious path to escape it through Christ is now fully revealed.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalm 37:38 finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus, who uniquely embodies both the perfectly righteous one who endures and the sovereign judge who executes divine justice. While the verse speaks of the destruction of transgressors, Christ, the sinless Son of God, willingly became identified with humanity's transgressions. He allowed Himself to be "cut off from the land of the living" (Isaiah 53:8) on the cross, bearing the full weight of the "destruction" that was due to humanity's sin. He became sin for us, so that in Him, we might become the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21). Thus, for all who trust in Him, the "end of the wicked" is averted, as their judgment was absorbed and satisfied by Christ's atoning sacrifice. Furthermore, Jesus is the one to whom all judgment has been committed by the Father (John 5:22). He will ultimately return to execute the final, comprehensive judgment, ensuring that all wickedness is indeed "destroyed together" and "cut off" eternally, as vividly depicted in the final judgment scenes of Revelation (Revelation 20:11-15). Therefore, Psalm 37:38 points profoundly to Christ as both the substitute who suffers the "cutting off" for His people and the righteous King who will ultimately bring about the complete and final end of all transgression, establishing His eternal kingdom of righteousness.