What does Psalm 37:17 mean?
ESV: For the arms of the wicked shall be broken, but the LORD upholds the righteous.
NIV: for the power of the wicked will be broken, but the LORD upholds the righteous.
NASB: For the arms of the wicked will be broken, But the Lord sustains the righteous.
CSB: For the arms of the wicked will be broken, but the Lord supports the righteous.
NLT: For the strength of the wicked will be shattered, but the Lord takes care of the godly.
KJV: For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the LORD upholdeth the righteous.
NKJV: For the arms of the wicked shall be broken, But the Lord upholds the righteous.
Verse Commentary:
David completes a thought from the prior verse (Psalm 37:16). In Hebrew, much as in English, the term for "arm" is also used to imply weapons, or military forces. On a personal level, "arms" are representative of a person's strength. David is pointing out that not only will the weapons of the wicked fail, but their strength will collapse, as well. The strength of the wicked is no match for the strength of God (Isaiah 14:27).
When Moses blessed the tribe of Asher, he predicted, "as your days, so shall your strength be" (Deuteronomy 33:25). In blessing the tribes of Israel, Moses said, "The eternal God is your dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms" (Deuteronomy 33:27). Believers may not be physically strong throughout their lifetime (2 Corinthians 12:10), but the Lord will always uphold them and wrap His arms around them. The Lord promises in Isaiah 41:10: "I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
Verse Context:
Psalm 37:12–20 continues David's discussion of the differences between the wicked and the righteous. Although the wicked seem to prosper and violently oppose the righteous, the righteous can trust the Lord to care for them. For those who honor God, whatever little they have is better than the abundance of wicked people. Believers have the Lord and will inherit good, eternal things. The wicked have nothing to look forward to in eternity other than condemnation.
Chapter Summary:
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.
Chapter Context:
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.
Book Summary:
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.
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