Psalm 37:26 - Printer Friendly

ESV: He is ever lending generously, and his children become a blessing.

NIV: They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be a blessing.

NASB: All day long he is gracious and lends, And his descendants are a blessing.

CSB: He is always generous, always lending, and his children are a blessing.

NLT: The godly always give generous loans to others, and their children are a blessing.

KJV: He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed.

NKJV: He is ever merciful, and lends; And his descendants are blessed.

Once again (Psalm 37:21) David observes that generosity is a sign of a righteous person. The righteous person, generally speaking, experiences the multiplication of his resources when he gives generously. Luke 6:38 promises, "Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you."

The Philippian believers supported the apostle Paul generously, and Paul gratefully acknowledged their gifts and wrote that God would supply all their needs according to His riches in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19). Giving to the Lord's work is every believer's responsibility. Every believer should give as God has prospered him or her (1 Corinthians 16:2), and every believer should remember that "God loves a cheerful giver" (2 Corinthians 9:7).

David also observes that a generous person's children become a blessing. They learn by the parent's example to give to the needy.

Psalm 37:21–31 points out the blessings of the righteous. David describes not only their blessings but also their character and conduct. The Lord blesses the righteous with the promise of an inheritance, personal guidance, protection, provision, a good posterity, and His presence.

In this psalm, David contrasts the way God protects and saves His people, contrasted with the ruin which awaits the wicked. Much of this seems to be based on David's own experiences (Psalm 37:25, 35). As with many other passages in Psalms and Proverbs, this passage encourages godly wisdom. Those who reject God and His ways can expect uncertainty on earth and disaster in eternity.

Psalm 37 lies in the first division of Psalms and addresses mankind. Its tone resembles that of the book of Proverbs. The psalm dispenses wisdom about the security of the righteous man and the insecurity and fate of the wicked man. Psalms 36 and 39 also describe the insecurity and fate of the wicked. The covenant God made with Israel in Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 27—30 is the basis for David's assurance that the righteous are secure. The issue of the prosperity of the wicked is also featured in Psalms 49 and 73. David most likely wrote Psalm 37 in his old age.

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.

Accessed 11/21/2024 7:29:02 PM