Psalms 37:38

KJV

But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off.

KJV (with Strong's)

But the transgressors {H6586} shall be destroyed {H8045}{H8738)} together {H3162}: the end {H319} of the wicked {H7563} shall be cut off {H3772}{H8738)}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But transgressors will all be destroyed; the posterity of the wicked will be cut off.

Berean Standard Bible

But the transgressors will all be destroyed; the future of the wicked will be cut off.

American Standard Version

As for transgressors, they shall be destroyed together: The end of the wicked shall be cut off.

Commentary

### 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
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 37 is a didactic wisdom psalm, likely an acrostic, attributed to David. Its central purpose is to counsel believers against fretting or being envious of the temporary flourishing of the wicked, a theme introduced immediately in [Psalm 37:1](/psalms/37-1 "Psalm 37:1 - Fret Not Over Evildoers"). Throughout the psalm, David systematically contrasts the transient success and ultimate ruin of the ungodly with the enduring inheritance and blessed future of the righteous. Verse 38 functions as a climactic and definitive statement regarding the fate of the wicked, directly following the promise of peace and a secure "end" for the upright in [Psalm 37:37](/psalms/37-37 "Psalm 37:37 - The End of the Upright"). It powerfully reinforces the psalm's overarching message that God's justice will ultimately prevail, providing a decisive counterpoint to any temptation to despair or envy.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The psalm addresses a perennial theological dilemma prevalent in ancient Israel and the broader ancient Near East: the perplexing observation that the wicked often prosper while the righteous suffer. This tension is a recurring motif in biblical wisdom literature, notably in books like Job and Ecclesiastes. Within a covenantal society, there was often an expectation of immediate, tangible blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience, as outlined in passages such as [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses"). However, lived experience frequently presented a more complex reality. Psalm 37, therefore, provides a theological framework for navigating this perceived disparity, assuring the faithful that God's justice, though sometimes delayed from a human perspective, is ultimately certain and comprehensive. It speaks directly to a community grappling with the apparent inequities of life, reminding them of God's sovereign control over history and individual destinies.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several foundational themes within Psalm 37 and broader biblical theology. It unequivocally underscores **Divine Justice and Retribution**, asserting that God will not allow wickedness to go unpunished indefinitely, thereby affirming the principle of divine accountability where ultimate justice prevails. The verse also highlights a **Stark Contrast** between the destiny of the righteous and the wicked, emphasizing that while the righteous have a peaceful and secure "end" ([Psalm 37:37](/psalms/37-37 "Psalm 37:37 - The End of the Upright")), the wicked face collective destruction and being "cut off." Finally, it reaffirms **God's Sovereignty**, presenting Him as the ultimate arbiter of human destiny, ensuring that righteousness triumphs and evil is vanquished, thereby encouraging unwavering trust in His perfect timing and unwavering governance over all creation.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Transgressors (Hebrew, _pâshaʻ'_):** From H6586, this term describes those who "break away from just authority," indicating a deliberate act of rebellion or trespass against God's law and moral order. It signifies more than simple wrongdoing; it denotes individuals characterized by a persistent and unrepentant posture of active rebellion against divine standards, often involving apostasy or quarrelsome defiance.
* **Destroyed (Hebrew, _shâmad'_):** From H8045, this verb conveys a strong sense of utter annihilation, devastation, or being laid waste. It implies a complete and devastating end, not merely a cessation of life but a profound and irreversible ruin, often used in contexts of divine judgment against nations or individuals, signifying a bringing to nought or overthrow.
* **Cut off (Hebrew, _kârath'_):** From H3772, this primitive root means "to cut (off, down or asunder)." In the context of divine judgment, it signifies a complete and irreversible end to one's prosperity, influence, and ultimately, one's very existence as a participant in God's blessings and covenant. It implies severance, termination, or removal from a community, from one's inheritance, or from life itself, often used metaphorically for the failure or perishing of a lineage or legacy.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But the transgressors shall be destroyed together:"** This clause serves as a powerful antithesis, dramatically reversing the apparent prosperity of the wicked often observed in the world. The conjunction "But" introduces a decisive shift in focus and destiny. "Transgressors" refers to those who actively and persistently rebel against God's ways, defying His authority. The phrase "shall be destroyed" indicates a certain and comprehensive ruin, emphasizing a complete annihilation of their influence, prosperity, and ultimately, their very being. The word "together" (Hebrew: _yachad_) can imply a collective judgment, suggesting that all who persist in wickedness will share the same devastating fate, or it can emphasize the swiftness and completeness of their destruction, as if in one decisive, unified act.
* **"the end of the wicked shall be cut off."** This second clause functions as a synonymous parallelism, reinforcing and elaborating on the first. "The end of the wicked" refers to their ultimate destiny, the culmination of their life's path and the final outcome of their choices. To be "cut off" signifies a complete severance, a termination of their existence, their lineage, their prosperity, and their hope. It implies not just death, but a removal from the land of the living and from any future blessing or inheritance, a complete and irreversible termination of their legacy and influence. This stands in stark contrast to the secure and peaceful "end" promised to the righteous in [Psalm 37:37](/psalms/37-37 "Psalm 37:37 - The End of the Upright"), highlighting the finality of their separation from God's favor.

#### 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](/psalms/37-37 "Psalm 37:37 - The End of the Upright")), 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.

* [Proverbs 11:4](/proverbs/11-4 "Proverbs 11:4 - Riches Do Not Profit in Wrath")
* [Malachi 4:1](/malachi/4-1 "Malachi 4:1 - The Day of the Lord Burns")
* [Psalm 73:17-19](/psalms/73-17 "Psalm 73:17-19 - The End of the Wicked")

### 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
* **How does this verse challenge my perspective when I see unrighteous people prospering or injustice seemingly prevailing in the world around me?**
* **What does "trusting in the Lord" practically look like in my daily life when I am tempted to fret over the apparent success of the wicked?**
* **In what ways does the certainty of divine judgment, as declared in this verse, motivate me to live a life pleasing to God and pursue righteousness with greater diligence?**

### 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](/psalms/37-37 "Psalm 37:37 - The End of the Upright")). 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](/romans/2-5 "Romans 2:5 - God's Righteous Judgment") which speaks of storing up wrath, and [Hebrews 9:27](/hebrews/9-27 "Hebrews 9:27 - Appointed to Die and Face Judgment") 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](/isaiah/53-8 "Isaiah 53:8 - Cut Off from the Land of the Living")) 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](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). 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](/john/5-22 "John 5:22 - The Father Has Given All Judgment to the Son")). 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](/revelation/20-11 "Revelation 20:11-15 - The Great White Throne Judgment")). 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.

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

Proverbs 14:32

¶ The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death.

Psalms 52:5

God shall likewise destroy thee for ever, he shall take thee away, and pluck thee out of [thy] dwelling place, and root thee out of the land of the living. Selah.

Psalms 9:17

The wicked shall be turned into hell, [and] all the nations that forget God.

Psalms 1:4

¶ The ungodly [are] not so: but [are] like the chaff which the wind driveth away.

Psalms 1:6

For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

Matthew 25:46

And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

Matthew 13:49

So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just,