Psalms 37:21

The wicked people borrow money, but they are not able to repay it; righteous/godly people, in contrast, have enough money that they can give generously to others.

Translation for Translators

In The King James Version

The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth.

In Context

20But wicked people will die; just like the beautiful wild flowers in the fields die under the hot sun and disappear like smoke [MET], Yahweh will cause his enemies to suddenly disappear.

22Those whom Yahweh has blessed will live safely in the land that he has given to them, but he will get rid of those people whom he has cursed.

Read all of Psalms 37

Cross References

Deuteronomy 15:9Be sure that you do not say to yourself, ‘The year when debts will be canceled is near, so I do not want to lend anyone any money now, because he will not need to pay it back when that year comes.’ It would be evil to even think that. If you act in an unfriendly way toward a needy fellow Israeli, and give him nothing, he will cry out to Yahweh about you, and Yahweh will say that you have sinned by not helping that person.

Deuteronomy 28:43Foreigners who live in your land will become more and more powerful, and you will become less and less powerful.

Nehemiah 5:1Later, many of the men and their wives protested loudly about what some of the other Jews were doing.

Psalms 112:5Things will go well for those who generously lend money to others and who conduct their businesses honestly.

Proverbs 22:7Rich people rule over poor people harshly, and those who borrow money become like slaves [MET] of the people who lend money to them.

Isaiah 58:7I want you to [RHQ] share your food with those who are hungry and to allow those who have no houses to stay in your houses. Give clothes to those who do not have clothes, and do not hide from your relatives who need help from you.

Matthew Henry on Psalms 37:8-21

Exhortations and Promises. 7 Rest in the Lord , and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. 8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil. 9 For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the Lord , they shall inherit the earth. 10 For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be. 11 But the meek shall… Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study Psalms 37:21