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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Psalm 37:35 I have seen a wicked, ruthless man flourishing like a well-rooted native tree,</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/37-35.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/16/19_Psa_037_035.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Psalm 37:35 - Do Not Envy Those who Do Wrong" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="I have seen a wicked, ruthless man flourishing like a well-rooted native tree," /><script type="application/javascript" 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align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad15.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/psalms/37-34.htm" title="Psalm 37:34">◄</a> Psalm 37:35 <a href="/psalms/37-36.htm" title="Psalm 37:36">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/psalms/37.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/psalms/37.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />I have seen a wicked and ruthless man flourishing like a luxuriant native tree,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/psalms/37.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />I have seen wicked and ruthless people flourishing like a tree in its native soil.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/psalms/37.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />I have seen a wicked, ruthless man, spreading himself like a green laurel tree.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/psalms/37.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />I have seen a wicked, ruthless man flourishing like a well-rooted native tree,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/psalms/37.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/psalms/37.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />I have seen the wicked in great power, And spreading himself like a native green tree.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/psalms/37.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />I have seen a wicked, violent person Spreading himself like a luxuriant tree in its native soil.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/psalms/37.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />I have seen a wicked, violent man Spreading himself like a luxuriant tree in its native soil.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/psalms/37.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />I have seen a violent, wicked man Spreading himself like a luxuriant tree in its native soil.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/psalms/37.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />I have seen a wicked, ruthless man Spreading himself like a luxuriant tree in its native soil.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/psalms/37.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />I have seen a wicked, violent man [with great power] Spreading <i>and</i> flaunting himself like a cedar in its native soil,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/psalms/37.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />I have seen a wicked, violent person well-rooted, like a flourishing native tree.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/psalms/37.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />I have seen a wicked, violent man well-rooted like a flourishing native tree. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/psalms/37.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />I have seen the wicked in great power, And spreading himself like a green tree in its native soil.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/psalms/37.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />I have seen brutal people abuse others and grow strong like trees in rich soil. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/psalms/37.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green tree in its native soil.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/psalms/37.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />I have seen a wicked person [acting like] a tyrant, spreading himself out like a large cedar tree.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/psalms/37.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />I once knew someone wicked who was a tyrant; he towered over everyone like a cedar of Lebanon; <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/psalms/37.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />I once observed a wicked and oppressive person, flourishing like a green tree in native soil.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/psalms/37.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />I have seen a wicked, ruthless man flourishing like a well-rooted native tree,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/psalms/37.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />I have seen ruthless evil men growing in influence, like a green tree grows in its native soil. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/psalms/37.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />I have seen the wicked wielding great power, and towering like a cedar of Lebanon. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/psalms/37.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/psalms/37.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />I have seen the wicked in great power, spreading himself like a green tree in its native soil. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/psalms/37.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />I have seen the wicked terrible, "" And spreading as a green native plant,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/psalms/37.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> I have seen the wicked terrible, And spreading as a green native plant,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/psalms/37.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />I saw the unjust one making afraid, and spreading abroad as a green native tree.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/psalms/37.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />I have seen the wicked highly exalted, and lifted up like the cedars of Libanus. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/psalms/37.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 36:35>I have seen the impious over-exalted, and lifted up like the cedars of Lebanon.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/psalms/37.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />I have seen a ruthless scoundrel, spreading out like a green cedar. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/psalms/37.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />I have seen the wicked oppressing, and towering like a cedar of Lebanon.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/psalms/37.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />For I have seen the wicked boasting and spreading himself like stout forest trees;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/psalms/37.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Because I have seen the wicked who are boasting and are lifted up like trees of the forest.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/psalms/37.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />I have seen the wicked in great power, And spreading himself like a leafy tree in its native soil.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/psalms/37.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />I saw the ungodly very highly exalting himself, and lifting himself up like the cedars of Libanus.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/psalms/37-35.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nFaD2oDhKPc?start=4346" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/psalms/37.htm">Do Not Envy Those who Do Wrong</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">34</span>Wait for the LORD and keep His way, and He will raise you up to inherit the land. When the wicked are cut off, you will see it. <span class="reftext">35</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/7200.htm" title="7200: rā·’î·ṯî (V-Qal-Perf-1cs) -- To see. A primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively.">I have seen</a> <a href="/hebrew/7563.htm" title="7563: rā·šā‘ (Adj-ms) -- Wicked, criminal. From rasha'; morally wrong; concretely, an bad person.">a wicked,</a> <a href="/hebrew/6184.htm" title="6184: ‘ā·rîṣ (Adj-ms) -- Awe-inspiring, terror-striking. From arats; fearful, i.e. Powerful or tyrannical.">ruthless man</a> <a href="/hebrew/7488.htm" title="7488: ra·‘ă·nān (Adj-ms) -- Luxuriant, fresh. From an unused root meaning to be green; verdant; by analogy, new; figuratively, prosperous.">flourishing</a> <a href="/hebrew/6168.htm" title="6168: ū·miṯ·‘ā·reh (Conj-w:: V-Hitpael-Prtcpl-ms) -- To be naked or bare. A primitive root; to be bare; hence, to empty, pour out, demolish.">like a well-rooted</a> <a href="/hebrew/249.htm" title="249: kə·’ez·rāḥ (Prep-k:: N-ms) -- A native. From zarach; a spontaneous growth, i.e. Native.">native tree,</a> </span><span class="reftext">36</span>yet he passed away and was no more; though I searched, he could not be found.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/20-5.htm">Job 20:5-8</a></span><br />the triumph of the wicked has been brief and the joy of the godless momentary? / Though his arrogance reaches the heavens, and his head touches the clouds, / he will perish forever, like his own dung; those who had seen him will ask, ‘Where is he?’ ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/14-12.htm">Isaiah 14:12-15</a></span><br />How you have fallen from heaven, O day star, son of the dawn! You have been cut down to the ground, O destroyer of nations. / You said in your heart: “I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God. I will sit on the mount of assembly, in the far reaches of the north. / I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/31-10.htm">Ezekiel 31:10-14</a></span><br />Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Since it became great in height and set its top among the clouds, and it grew proud on account of its height, / I delivered it into the hand of the ruler of the nations, for him to deal with it according to its wickedness. I have banished it. / Foreigners, the most ruthless of the nations, cut it down and left it. Its branches have fallen on the mountains and in every valley; its boughs lay broken in all the earth’s ravines. And all the peoples of the earth left its shade and abandoned it. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/4-30.htm">Daniel 4:30-33</a></span><br />the king exclaimed, “Is this not Babylon the Great, which I myself have built as a royal residence by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty?” / While the words were still in the king’s mouth, a voice came from heaven: “It is decreed to you, King Nebuchadnezzar, that the kingdom has departed from you. / You will be driven away from mankind to live with the beasts of the field, and you will feed on grass like an ox. And seven times will pass you by, until you acknowledge that the Most High rules over the kingdom of mankind and gives it to whom He wishes.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/12-1.htm">Jeremiah 12:1-2</a></span><br />Righteous are You, O LORD, when I plead before You. Yet about Your judgments I wish to contend with You: Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all the faithless live at ease? / You planted them, and they have taken root. They have grown and produced fruit. You are ever on their lips, but far from their hearts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/24-19.htm">Proverbs 24:19-20</a></span><br />Do not fret over evildoers, and do not be envious of the wicked. / For the evil man has no future; the lamp of the wicked will be extinguished.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/habakkuk/1-13.htm">Habakkuk 1:13-16</a></span><br />Your eyes are too pure to look upon evil, and You cannot tolerate wrongdoing. So why do You tolerate the faithless? Why are You silent while the wicked swallow up those more righteous than themselves? / You have made men like the fish of the sea, like creeping things that have no ruler. / The foe pulls all of them up with a hook; he catches them in his dragnet, and gathers them in his fishing net; so he rejoices gladly. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/73-3.htm">Psalm 73:3-9</a></span><br />For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. / They have no struggle in their death; their bodies are well-fed. / They are free of the burdens others carry; they are not afflicted like other men. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/10-33.htm">Isaiah 10:33-34</a></span><br />Behold, the Lord GOD of Hosts will lop off the branches with terrifying power. The tall trees will be cut down, the lofty ones will be felled. / He will clear the forest thickets with an axe, and Lebanon will fall before the Mighty One.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/28-2.htm">Ezekiel 28:2-10</a></span><br />“Son of man, tell the ruler of Tyre that this is what the Lord GOD says: Your heart is proud, and you have said, ‘I am a god; I sit in the seat of gods in the heart of the sea.’ Yet you are a man and not a god, though you have regarded your heart as that of a god. / Behold, you are wiser than Daniel; no secret is hidden from you! / By your wisdom and understanding you have gained your wealth and amassed gold and silver for your treasuries. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/13-47.htm">Matthew 13:47-50</a></span><br />Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was cast into the sea and caught all kinds of fish. / When it was full, the men pulled it ashore. Then they sat down and sorted the good fish into containers, but threw the bad away. / So will it be at the end of the age: The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/12-16.htm">Luke 12:16-21</a></span><br />Then He told them a parable: “The ground of a certain rich man produced an abundance. / So he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, since I have nowhere to store my crops?’ / Then he said, ‘This is what I will do: I will tear down my barns and will build bigger ones, and there I will store up all my grain and my goods. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/1-10.htm">James 1:10-11</a></span><br />But the one who is rich should exult in his low position, because he will pass away like a flower of the field. / For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its flower falls and its beauty is lost. So too, the rich man will fade away in the midst of his pursuits.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/1-24.htm">1 Peter 1:24</a></span><br />For, “All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/18-7.htm">Revelation 18:7-8</a></span><br />As much as she has glorified herself and lived in luxury, give her the same measure of torment and grief. In her heart she says, ‘I sit as queen; I am not a widow and will never see grief.’ / Therefore her plagues will come in one day—death and grief and famine—and she will be consumed by fire, for mighty is the Lord God who judges her.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree.</p><p class="hdg">I have</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/73-3.htm">Psalm 73:3-11</a></b></br> For I was envious at the foolish, <i>when</i> I saw the prosperity of the wicked… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/esther/5-11.htm">Esther 5:11</a></b></br> And Haman told them of the glory of his riches, and the multitude of his children, and all <i>the things</i> wherein the king had promoted him, and how he had advanced him above the princes and servants of the king.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/5-3.htm">Job 5:3</a></b></br> I have seen the foolish taking root: but suddenly I cursed his habitation.</p><p class="hdg">a green bay-tree.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/8-13.htm">Job 8:13-19</a></b></br> So <i>are</i> the paths of all that forget God; and the hypocrite's hope shall perish: … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/31-6.htm">Ezekiel 31:6-10,18</a></b></br> All the fowls of heaven made their nests in his boughs, and under his branches did all the beasts of the field bring forth their young, and under his shadow dwelt all great nations… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/daniel/4-20.htm">Daniel 4:20</a></b></br> The tree that thou sawest, which grew, and was strong, whose height reached unto the heaven, and the sight thereof to all the earth;</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/joshua/18-19.htm">Bay</a> <a href="/job/40-17.htm">Cedar</a> <a href="/psalms/19-5.htm">Covering</a> <a href="/psalms/37-10.htm">Evil-Doer</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/6-10.htm">Flourishing</a> <a href="/psalms/37-11.htm">Great</a> <a href="/psalms/37-2.htm">Green</a> <a href="/job/15-32.htm">Leafy</a> <a href="/joshua/8-33.htm">Native</a> <a href="/1_peter/2-18.htm">Overbearing</a> <a href="/job/14-9.htm">Plant</a> <a href="/psalms/37-33.htm">Power</a> <a href="/psalms/35-11.htm">Ruthless</a> <a href="/job/21-33.htm">Soil</a> <a href="/job/37-18.htm">Spreading</a> <a href="/psalms/10-18.htm">Terrible</a> <a href="/isaiah/30-13.htm">Towering</a> <a href="/psalms/1-3.htm">Tree</a> <a href="/psalms/35-11.htm">Violent</a> <a href="/psalms/37-34.htm">Wicked</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/zechariah/1-8.htm">Bay</a> <a href="/psalms/92-12.htm">Cedar</a> <a href="/psalms/74-11.htm">Covering</a> <a href="/psalms/58-10.htm">Evil-Doer</a> <a href="/psalms/52-8.htm">Flourishing</a> <a href="/psalms/38-4.htm">Great</a> <a href="/psalms/52-8.htm">Green</a> <a href="/isaiah/57-5.htm">Leafy</a> <a href="/isaiah/13-14.htm">Native</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-7.htm">Overbearing</a> <a href="/psalms/44-2.htm">Plant</a> <a href="/psalms/38-10.htm">Power</a> <a href="/psalms/54-3.htm">Ruthless</a> <a href="/psalms/105-35.htm">Soil</a> <a href="/psalms/136-6.htm">Spreading</a> <a href="/psalms/45-4.htm">Terrible</a> <a href="/isaiah/2-14.htm">Towering</a> <a href="/psalms/52-8.htm">Tree</a> <a href="/psalms/46-3.htm">Violent</a> <a href="/psalms/37-38.htm">Wicked</a><div class="vheading2">Psalm 37</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/37-1.htm">David persuades to patience and confidence in God, </a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/37-12.htm">by the different estate of the godly and the wicked</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/37.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/psalms/37.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>I have seen a wicked, ruthless man</b><br>This phrase reflects the psalmist's personal observation of the prosperity of the wicked. In biblical context, the wicked often refers to those who live in opposition to God's laws and principles. The term "ruthless" emphasizes their aggressive and unmerciful nature. This observation is consistent with other scriptures, such as <a href="/job/21-7.htm">Job 21:7-13</a>, where the prosperity of the wicked is a common theme. The psalmist's acknowledgment of seeing such individuals suggests a real-life experience, which adds authenticity to the struggle of understanding why the wicked prosper.<p><b>flourishing like a well-rooted native tree</b><br>The imagery of a tree is frequently used in the Bible to symbolize strength, stability, and prosperity. In this context, the wicked man is compared to a "well-rooted native tree," suggesting that he appears stable and prosperous, deeply entrenched in his environment. This metaphor is reminiscent of <a href="/jeremiah/17-8.htm">Jeremiah 17:8</a>, where a righteous person is compared to a tree planted by the waters. The contrast here is intentional, highlighting the temporary nature of the wicked's prosperity. The use of "native tree" implies a sense of belonging and permanence, yet the broader biblical narrative assures that such prosperity is fleeting, as seen in <a href="/psalms/1-4.htm">Psalm 1:4</a>, where the wicked are likened to chaff blown away by the wind.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/d/david.htm">David</a></b><br>The author of <a href="/bsb/psalms/37.htm">Psalm 37</a>, King David, reflects on his observations of the wicked and the righteous throughout his life.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/w/wicked_man.htm">Wicked Man</a></b><br>Represents those who live in opposition to God's ways, often appearing prosperous and secure.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/n/native_tree.htm">Native Tree</a></b><br>Symbolizes stability and prosperity, often used in Scripture to describe those who seem firmly established.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_illusion_of_prosperity.htm">The Illusion of Prosperity</a></b><br>The prosperity of the wicked is temporary and deceptive. While they may appear stable and flourishing, their end is destruction. Believers should not envy their success but trust in God's ultimate justice.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_and_justice.htm">God's Sovereignty and Justice</a></b><br>God sees the end from the beginning. The apparent success of the wicked is under His sovereign control, and He will bring about justice in His perfect timing.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_call_to_patience_and_trust.htm">The Call to Patience and Trust</a></b><br>Believers are encouraged to wait patiently for the Lord and trust in His promises. Our focus should be on living righteously and trusting God for our provision and vindication.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_eternal_perspective.htm">The Importance of Eternal Perspective</a></b><br>The prosperity of the wicked is limited to this life. Christians are called to maintain an eternal perspective, valuing spiritual riches over temporary, worldly success.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_psalm_37.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Psalm 37</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_psalm_37_29_contradict_history.htm">Does the promise in Psalm 37:29 (“the righteous shall inherit the land”) contradict archaeological and historical evidence of righteous communities being displaced or conquered?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what's_the_basis_for_job_15_20-24's_torment.htm">In Job 15:20–24, where is the historical or archaeological basis for the notion that the wicked perpetually face this kind of torment? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/evidence_for_wicked's_brief_joy.htm">Job 20:4–5 implies universal knowledge of the brevity of the wicked’s joy; where is the empirical or historical evidence supporting this absolute claim? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_reconcile_psalm_52_6-7_with_evildoers'_prosperity.htm">How do we reconcile Psalm 52:6–7 with other biblical texts that show evildoers prospering instead of being mocked? </a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/psalms/37.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(35) <span class= "bld">In great power.</span>--Terrible, like a tyrant.<p><span class= "bld">Green bay tree.</span>--The Hebrew word elsewhere implies a "native" as opposed to "a foreigner." So here <span class= "ital">an indigenous tree.</span> "It may be questioned whether any particular tree is intended by the psalmist; but if so, it must have been an evergreen, and may possibly be the Sweet Bay (<span class= "ital">Laurus nobilis</span>), which is a native of Palestine. We met with it near Hebron; on Mount Carmel in great plenty; on Tabor, and in various glades of Galilee and Gilead" (Tristram, <span class= "ital">Natural History of Bible</span>, 338).<p>The LXX. and Vulg., by slightly altering the text, have, "as cedars of Lebanon."<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/37.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 35.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">I have seen the wicked in great power, and flourishing like a green bay tree</span>; rather, as in the margin, like a green <span class="accented">tree in his own</span> (or, <span class="accented">his native</span>) <span class="accented">soil.</span> Growing, <span class="accented">i.e.</span>, rankly and luxuriantly, like a leafy shrub, that has never suffered transplantation (comp. <a href="/psalms/1-3.htm">Psalm 1:3</a>; <a href="/ezekiel/31-3.htm">Ezekiel 31:3</a>). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/psalms/37-35.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">I have seen</span><br /><span class="heb">רָ֭אִיתִי</span> <span class="translit">(rā·’î·ṯî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7200.htm">Strong's 7200: </a> </span><span class="str2">To see</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a wicked,</span><br /><span class="heb">רָשָׁ֣ע</span> <span class="translit">(rā·šā‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7563.htm">Strong's 7563: </a> </span><span class="str2">Wrong, an, bad person</span><br /><br /><span class="word">ruthless man</span><br /><span class="heb">עָרִ֑יץ</span> <span class="translit">(‘ā·rîṣ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6184.htm">Strong's 6184: </a> </span><span class="str2">Awe-inspiring, terror-striking</span><br /><br /><span class="word">flourishing</span><br /><span class="heb">רַעֲנָֽן׃</span> <span class="translit">(ra·‘ă·nān)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7488.htm">Strong's 7488: </a> </span><span class="str2">Verdant, new, prosperous</span><br /><br /><span class="word">like a well-rooted</span><br /><span class="heb">וּ֝מִתְעָרֶ֗ה</span> <span class="translit">(ū·miṯ·‘ā·reh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6168.htm">Strong's 6168: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be, bare, to empty, pour out, demolish</span><br /><br /><span class="word">native tree,</span><br /><span class="heb">כְּאֶזְרָ֥ח</span> <span class="translit">(kə·’ez·rāḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_249.htm">Strong's 249: </a> </span><span class="str2">A spontaneous growth, native</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/psalms/37-35.htm">Psalm 37:35 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/psalms/37-35.htm">Psalm 37:35 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/psalms/37-35.htm">Psalm 37:35 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/psalms/37-35.htm">Psalm 37:35 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/psalms/37-35.htm">Psalm 37:35 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/psalms/37-35.htm">Psalm 37:35 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/psalms/37-35.htm">Psalm 37:35 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/psalms/37-35.htm">Psalm 37:35 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/psalms/37-35.htm">Psalm 37:35 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/psalms/37-35.htm">Psalm 37:35 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/psalms/37-35.htm">OT Poetry: Psalm 37:35 I have seen the wicked in great (Psalm Ps Psa.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/psalms/37-34.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Psalm 37:34"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Psalm 37:34" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/psalms/37-36.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Psalm 37:36"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Psalm 37:36" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>