Psalms 37:40

KJV

And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the LORD {H3068} shall help {H5826} them, and deliver {H6403}{H8762)} them: he shall deliver {H6403}{H8762)} them from the wicked {H7563}, and save {H3467}{H8686)} them, because they trust {H2620}{H8804)} in him.

Complete Jewish Bible

ADONAI helps them and rescues them, rescues them from the wicked and saves them; because they take refuge in him.

Berean Standard Bible

The LORD helps and delivers them; He rescues and saves them from the wicked, because they take refuge in Him.

American Standard Version

And Jehovah helpeth them, and rescueth them: He rescueth them from the wicked, and saveth them, Because they have taken refuge in him.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 37:40, the concluding verse of a wisdom psalm, serves as a powerful theological capstone, encapsulating the psalm's core message of divine justice and faithfulness. It unequivocally declares God's active commitment to His righteous ones, promising His direct intervention to help, deliver, and save them from the schemes and ultimate fate of the wicked. This ultimate vindication and protection are presented as a direct consequence of their steadfast and profound trust in Him, affirming the Lord's unwavering character as a faithful refuge for His people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 37 is an acrostic wisdom psalm, likely attributed to David, designed to instruct and encourage the righteous who are perplexed by the apparent prosperity of the wicked. Throughout the psalm, David offers a series of exhortations to "fret not" (e.g., [Psalms 37:1](/psalms/37-1 "Psalms 37:1 - Fret Not")), "trust in the Lord" (e.g., [Psalms 37:3](/psalms/37-3 "Psalms 37:3 - Trust in the Lord and Do Good")), and "delight in the Lord" (e.g., [Psalms 37:4](/psalms/37-4 "Psalms 37:4 - Delight in the Lord")). The psalm contrasts the fleeting success of the ungodly, whose end is destruction, with the enduring inheritance and security of the upright. Verse 40 functions as a climactic summary, providing the ultimate assurance that God will indeed act on behalf of those who have followed the psalm's counsel, bringing its central argument to a triumphant close.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Composed in ancient Israel, likely during a period when the covenant community wrestled with the problem of evil and divine justice, Psalms 37 reflects a common human experience: the righteous often suffer while the wicked seem to thrive. In a society where prosperity was often seen as a sign of divine favor and suffering as a sign of judgment, this psalm directly confronts that simplistic view, urging a long-term perspective rooted in God's character. The "wicked" (רְשָׁעִים, _rĕshā‘îm_) in this context refers not merely to those who commit individual sins, but to those who are fundamentally hostile to God and His ways, often exploiting the vulnerable and disregarding justice within the community. The psalm reassures believers that despite appearances, God remains sovereign and will ultimately uphold His covenant promises to protect and vindicate His faithful.
* **Key Themes:** The verse powerfully encapsulates several overarching themes of Psalms 37 and indeed, much of biblical wisdom literature. Firstly, it underscores **Divine Sovereignty and Justice**, affirming that God is actively involved in human affairs and will ultimately ensure that justice prevails, even if it is not immediately apparent. Secondly, it highlights the **Contrast Between the Righteous and the Wicked**, emphasizing their differing destinies—the wicked will perish, while the righteous will be preserved. This theme is central to the entire psalm, from its opening verses which warn against envying evildoers (e.g., [Psalms 37:1-2](/psalms/37-1 "Psalms 37:1-2 - Do Not Fret Because of Evildoers")) to its repeated promises of inheritance for the meek (e.g., [Psalms 37:11](/psalms/37-11 "Psalms 37:11 - The Meek Shall Inherit the Earth")). Finally, and most crucially, it establishes the **Centrality of Trust (Faith)** as the foundational condition for receiving God's help and deliverance. This trust is not passive but an active reliance and confident leaning upon God's character and promises, as seen throughout the psalm's exhortations to "commit your way to the Lord" and "rest in the Lord" (e.g., [Psalms 37:5-7](/psalms/37-5 "Psalms 37:5-7 - Commit Your Way to the Lord")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Trust (Hebrew, _bātaḥ'_):** This word signifies a deep, confident reliance and security, a leaning upon something or someone as utterly dependable. It implies not just intellectual assent but a profound, settled conviction in God's character, power, and promises, even when circumstances are challenging or contrary to expectation. It's an active posture of the heart that finds refuge and stability in God alone.
* **Deliver (Hebrew, _nāṣal'_):** Appearing twice in this verse, _nāṣal_ means to snatch away, rescue, or draw out. It conveys a strong sense of active, powerful intervention on behalf of someone in danger or distress. It highlights God's dynamic role as a rescuer who actively intervenes to free His people from harm, oppression, or the power of their enemies.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them:"** This opening clause immediately establishes God's proactive and benevolent engagement with His people. "Help" (עָזַר, _‘āzar_) indicates divine assistance and support, while "deliver" (נָצַܠ, _nāṣal_) emphasizes rescue from peril. The use of the future tense ("shall help," "shall deliver") underscores the certainty and inevitability of God's action, a promise that transcends immediate circumstances.
* **"he shall deliver them from the wicked,"** This second phrase specifies the nature of the deliverance, directly addressing the psalm's central concern: protection from the oppressive and malicious actions of the ungodly. The repetition of "deliver" (נָצַܠ, _nāṣal_) intensifies the promise, emphasizing God's powerful and decisive rescue from a specific, formidable threat—the schemes and power of those who oppose God and His people.
* **"and save them, because they trust in him."** The final clause culminates the promise with "save" (יָשַׁע, _yāsha‘_), a comprehensive term for salvation that includes liberation, preservation, and ultimate well-being. Crucially, this salvation is presented as conditional: "because they trust in him." This "trust" (בָּטַח, _bātaḥ_) is the foundational requirement, demonstrating that God's intervention is not arbitrary but a response to the faithful posture of His people's hearts—a deep, abiding confidence in His character and promises.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 37:40 employs several literary devices to amplify its message. The most prominent is **Repetition**, specifically of the verb "deliver" (נָצַܠ, _nāṣal_), which appears twice. This repetition serves to emphasize the certainty and power of God's rescuing action, reinforcing the divine commitment to active intervention. There is also a strong sense of **Synonymous Parallelism** between "help," "deliver," and "save," where each term reinforces and expands upon the others, creating a cumulative effect of comprehensive divine care. The verse concludes with a clear **Conditional Clause** ("because they trust in him"), which highlights the reciprocal relationship between human faith and divine action, making the promise of deliverance contingent upon the posture of trust. This structure provides both comfort and a call to faithful living.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 37:40 stands as a profound declaration of God's unwavering faithfulness and His active commitment to His covenant people. Theologically, it affirms God's character as a just and sovereign Lord who is not indifferent to the plight of the righteous or the prosperity of the wicked. It teaches that while divine justice may not always be immediately apparent, it is ultimately assured. The verse underscores the vital importance of trust (faith) as the proper human response to God's character, positing it as the key that unlocks His protective and salvific power. This trust is not a passive hope but an active reliance that enables believers to endure adversity, confident that God will ultimately vindicate them and bring them to a place of security and peace, fulfilling His promises.

* [Psalms 34:17](/psalms/34-17 "Psalm 34:17 - The Righteous Cry Out and the Lord Hears Them")
* [Psalms 46:1](/psalms/46-1 "Psalms 46:1 - God Is Our Refuge and Strength, a Very Present Help in Trouble")
* [Proverbs 3:5](/proverbs/3-5 "Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the Lord with All Your Heart")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 37:40 offers profound encouragement and a clear directive for believers navigating a world often marked by injustice and the apparent success of the unrighteous. It calls us away from anxiety and envy, redirecting our gaze to the steadfast character of God. In moments of distress, when the wicked seem to prosper or when trials press in, this verse reminds us that our ultimate security and deliverance do not rest on our own strength, the fairness of circumstances, or the fallibility of human systems, but solely on our unwavering trust in the Lord. Cultivating this deep reliance means actively choosing to rest in His promises, commit our ways to Him, and delight in His presence, even when the path is unclear. It invites us to a life of confident dependence, knowing that God, in His perfect timing and wisdom, will intervene to help, deliver, and save those who make Him their refuge. This trust transforms our perspective, enabling us to live with peace and patience, assured of God's ultimate victory and our secure place in His care.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What specific situations or circumstances in your life challenge your trust in God's help and deliverance?**
* **How does the promise of God delivering "from the wicked" encourage you when you feel oppressed or unfairly treated?**
* **In what practical ways can you cultivate a deeper, more active "trust" in the Lord, as described in this verse?**

### FAQ
**Does this verse promise that believers will never suffer or face hardship?**

Answer: No, Psalms 37:40 does not promise an absence of suffering or hardship for believers. Rather, it promises God's help, deliverance, and salvation *within* or *through* those challenging circumstances. The psalm itself acknowledges the reality of the wicked's temporary prosperity and the righteous's trials. The promise is about ultimate vindication, preservation, and God's active intervention to rescue His people from the *power* and *ultimate destruction* associated with the wicked, not necessarily from every difficulty. It assures us that God is our refuge and strength in times of trouble, and that our trust in Him ensures His presence and ultimate victory, even if the path includes affliction (cf. [Psalms 34:19](/psalms/34-19 "Psalm 34:19 - Many Are the Afflictions of the Righteous")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 37:40 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The "help," "deliverance," and "salvation" promised to those who trust in the Lord are perfectly embodied and secured through His life, death, and resurrection. Jesus is the ultimate "righteous one" who perfectly trusted the Father, even unto death on the cross (e.g., [Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Obedient to Death")). Through His atoning sacrifice, He delivered humanity from the ultimate "wicked"—sin, death, and the power of Satan (e.g., [Colossians 1:13-14](/colossians/1-13 "Colossians 1:13-14 - Delivered from the Domain of Darkness")). Believers, by placing their trust in Him, are not merely delivered from earthly adversaries but receive eternal salvation and are granted a new life in Him (e.g., [John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God So Loved the World")). Moreover, as we "trust in him," we are called to follow His example, resting in the Father's sovereign care amidst trials, knowing that He has overcome the world (e.g., [John 16:33](/john/16-33 "John 16:33 - In the World You Will Have Tribulation, But Take Heart")). Thus, the promise of Psalms 37:40 is not just a general assurance but a specific anticipation of the comprehensive salvation and unwavering divine help found uniquely in Christ Jesus, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world and continually intercedes for those who trust in Him (e.g., [Hebrews 7:25](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Jesus Always Lives to Make Intercession")).

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

Isaiah 31:5

As birds flying, so will the LORD of hosts defend Jerusalem; defending also he will deliver [it; and] passing over he will preserve it.

1 Chronicles 5:20

And they were helped against them, and the Hagarites were delivered into their hand, and all that [were] with them: for they cried to God in the battle, and he was intreated of them; because they put their trust in him.

Daniel 6:23

Then was the king exceeding glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God.

Daniel 3:17

If it be [so], our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver [us] out of thine hand, O king.

Daniel 3:28

¶ [Then] Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed [be] the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king's word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God.

Isaiah 46:4

And [even] to [your] old age I [am] he; and [even] to hoar hairs will I carry [you]: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver [you].

1 John 5:18

¶ We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.