Psalms 37:21
in Psalms 37The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous are gracious and giving.
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again; But the righteous dealeth graciously, and giveth.
KJV
The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth.
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This verse in Psalms 37
Commentary
4 notes on this verse(Verse 21.) The sinner borrows and does not repay; but the righteous shows mercy and gives. This also applies to the person of Paul, because the righteous shows mercy and gives. See how he divides the Lord's words, see how he lends the Lord's silver. He received one mina and returned two; he received two and returned four; he received five and returned ten. He did not tie up in a handkerchief what he had received, but he spent it on moneylenders; and what he had spent, he received back with interest.
This site's exposition
The wicked borrow
on Psalms 37:21-26
The wicked borrow and leave the debt, and the righteous are gracious and giving. The LORD orders a man's steps and takes delight in the way he goes, and the hand holding him keeps a fall from throwing him down. The psalmist, grown old, had never seen the righteous abandoned.
The record, by era
The Puritans and the Awakening1 voice
He is ever merciful, or every day, or all the day, merciful, and lends, and sometimes there is as true charity in lending as in giving; and giving and lending are acceptable to God when they proceed from a merciful disposition in the heart, which, if it be sincere, will be constant, and will keep us from being weary of well-doing. he that is truly merciful will be ever merciful.
The Nineteenth Century1 voice
The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again. Partly because he will not, but mainly because he cannot. Want follows upon waste, and debt remains undischarged. Often are the wicked thus impoverished in this life. Their wanton extravagance brings them down to the usurer's door and to the bankrupt's suit. But the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth, Mercy has given to him, and therefore he gives in mercy. He is generous and prosperous. He is not a borrower, but a giver.
The words behind it
7 Hebrew wordsEvery Hebrew word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Hebrew | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| לֹוֶ֣ה | loveh | [is] borrowing | H3867 → | 26 times |
| רָ֭שָׁע | rasho' | [the] wicked | H7563 → | 263 times |
| וְלֹ֣א | velo' | and not | H3808 → | 5168 times |
| יְשַׁלֵּ֑ם | yeshalem | he repays | H7999 → | 116 times |
| וְ֝צַדִּ֗יק | vetzadik | and [the] righteous | H6662 → | 206 times |
| חוֹנֵ֥ן | chonen | [is] showing favor | H2603 → | 78 times |
| וְנוֹתֵֽן׃ | venoten | and giving | H5414 → | 2011 times |
לֹוֶ֣ה[is] borrowing
lovehH3867 →26 times
רָ֭שָׁע[the] wicked
rasho'H7563 →263 times
וְלֹ֣אand not
velo'H3808 →5168 times
יְשַׁלֵּ֑םhe repays
yeshalemH7999 →116 times
וְ֝צַדִּ֗יקand [the] righteous
vetzadikH6662 →206 times
חוֹנֵ֥ן[is] showing favor
chonenH2603 →78 times
וְנוֹתֵֽן׃and giving
venotenH5414 →2011 times
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 stopsEach card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.
Through
Hebrews 13:16And do not neglect to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
it leads to
- Romans 12:13
Share with the saints who are in need. Practice hospitality.
Reached by 2 separate paths from here.
- 2 Thessalonians 3:13
But as for you, brothers, do not grow weary in well-doing.
- Galatians 6:10
Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to the family of faith.
- Hebrews 6:10
For God is not unjust. He will not forget your work and the love you have shown for His name as you have ministered to the saints and continue to do so.
- Hebrews 13:1–2
Continue in brotherly love.
- Romans 12:13
Through
Luke 6:30Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what is yours, do not demand it back.
it leads to
- Deuteronomy 15:7–10
If there is a poor man among your brothers within any of the gates in the land that the LORD your God is giving you, then you are not to harden your heart or…
Reached by 2 separate paths from here.
- Deuteronomy 15:7–10
Through
Psalms 112:9He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever; his horn will be lifted high in honor.
it leads to
- Hebrews 13:16
And do not neglect to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
- Hebrews 13:16
Through
Proverbs 22:7The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender.
it leads to
- 2 Kings 4:1
Now the wife of one of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, “Your servant, my husband, is dead, and you know that your servant feared the LORD. And now his creditor…
- 2 Kings 4:1
Where this verse is studied
On this page
About Psalms
This page draws on Ambrose of Milan, Commentaries on the Twelve Davidic Psalms; Charles Spurgeon, The Treasury of David; Charles Spurgeon, The Treasury of David, Vol. 2 and Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible.