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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 37:14 The wicked have drawn the sword and bent the bow to bring down the poor and needy, to slay those whose ways are upright.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/37-14.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/12/19_Psa_037_014.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Psalm 37:14 - Do Not Envy Those who Do Wrong" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="The wicked have drawn the sword and bent the bow to bring down the poor and needy, to slay those whose ways are upright." /><script 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id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/psalms/37-13.htm" title="Psalm 37:13">◄</a> Psalm 37:14 <a href="/psalms/37-15.htm" title="Psalm 37:15">►</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="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Study Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Crossref </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Hebrew </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 />The wicked draw the sword and bend the bow to bring down the poor and needy, to slay those whose ways are upright.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/psalms/37.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />The wicked draw their swords and string their bows to kill the poor and the oppressed, to slaughter those who do right.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/psalms/37.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />The wicked draw the sword and bend their bows to bring down the poor and needy, to slay those whose way is upright;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/psalms/37.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />The wicked have drawn the sword and bent the bow to bring down the poor and needy, to slay those whose ways are upright.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/psalms/37.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, <i>and</i> to slay such as be of upright conversation.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/psalms/37.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />The wicked have drawn the sword And have bent their bow, To cast down the poor and needy, To slay those who are of upright conduct.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/psalms/37.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />The wicked have drawn the sword and bent their bow To take down the afflicted and the needy, To kill off those who are upright in conduct.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/psalms/37.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />The wicked have drawn the sword and bent their bow To cast down the afflicted and the needy, To slay those who are upright in conduct.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/psalms/37.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />The wicked have drawn the sword and bent their bow, To cast down the afflicted and the needy, To slay those who are upright in conduct.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/psalms/37.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />The wicked have drawn the sword and bent their bow To cast down the afflicted and the needy, To slay those who are upright in conduct.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/psalms/37.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />The wicked have drawn the sword and bent their bow To cast down the afflicted and the needy, To slaughter those who are upright in conduct [those with personal integrity and godly character].<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/psalms/37.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The wicked have drawn the sword and strung the bow to bring down the poor and needy and to slaughter those whose way is upright.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/psalms/37.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The wicked have drawn the sword and strung the bow to bring down the afflicted and needy and to slaughter those whose way is upright. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/psalms/37.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, To cast down the poor and needy, To slay such as are upright in the way.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/psalms/37.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />The wicked kill with swords and shoot arrows to murder the poor and the needy and all who do right. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/psalms/37.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow; to cast down the poor and needy, to slay such as be upright in the way:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/psalms/37.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Wicked people pull out their swords and bend their bows to kill oppressed and needy people, to slaughter those who are decent.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/psalms/37.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />The wicked draw their swords and bend their bows to kill the poor and needy, to slaughter those who do what is right; <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/psalms/37.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />The wicked take out a sword and bend the bow, to bring down the humble and the poor to slay those who are righteous in conduct.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/psalms/37.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />The wicked have drawn the sword and bent the bow to bring down the poor and needy, to slay those whose ways are upright.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/psalms/37.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Evil men draw their swords and prepare their bows, to bring down the oppressed and needy, and to slaughter those who are godly. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/psalms/37.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, to kill those who are upright in the way.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/psalms/37.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, and to slay such as are of upright deportment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/psalms/37.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, to kill those who are upright on the path. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/psalms/37.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />The wicked have opened a sword, "" And they have bent their bow, "" To cause the poor and needy to fall, "" To slaughter the upright of the way.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/psalms/37.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> A sword have the wicked opened, And they have trodden their bow, To cause to fall the poor and needy, To slaughter the upright of the way.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/psalms/37.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />The unjust let loose the sword, and they bent their bow; they cast down the poor and needy, to slaughter the upright of way.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/psalms/37.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />The wicked have drawn out the sword : they have bent their bow. To cast down the poor and needy, to kill the upright of heart. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/psalms/37.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 36:14>The sinners have drawn the sword, they have bent their bow, so as to cast down the poor and the needy, so as to massacre the upright of heart.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/psalms/37.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />The wicked unsheath their swords; they string their bows To fell the poor and oppressed, to slaughter those whose way is upright. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/psalms/37.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />The wicked draw the sword and bend their bows to bring down the poor and needy, to kill those who walk uprightly;<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/psalms/37.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />The wicked have drawn out the sword and have bent their bow, to slay the poor and needy, and those who are upright in their way.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/psalms/37.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />The wicked have drawn the sword and have bent the bow to kill the poor and the afflicted and those whose ways are upright.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/psalms/37.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow; To cast down the poor and needy, To slay such as are upright in the way;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/psalms/37.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Sinners have drawn their swords, they have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy one, <i>and</i> to slay the upright in heart.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/psalms/37-14.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nFaD2oDhKPc?start=4194" 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">13</span>but the Lord laughs, seeing that their day is coming. <span class="reftext">14</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/7563.htm" title="7563: rə·šā·‘îm (Adj-mp) -- Wicked, criminal. From rasha'; morally wrong; concretely, an bad person.">The wicked</a> <a href="/hebrew/6605.htm" title="6605: pā·ṯə·ḥū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- To open wide, to loosen, begin, plough, carve. A primitive root; to open wide; specifically, to loosen, begin, plough, carve.">have drawn</a> <a href="/hebrew/2719.htm" title="2719: ḥe·reḇ (N-fs) -- A sword. From charab; drought; also a cutting instrument, as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement.">the sword</a> <a href="/hebrew/1869.htm" title="1869: wə·ḏā·rə·ḵū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-3cp) -- To tread, march. A primitive root; to tread; by implication, to walk; also to string a bow.">and bent</a> <a href="/hebrew/7198.htm" title="7198: qaš·tām (N-fsc:: 3mp) -- A bow. From qashah in the original sense of bending: a bow, for shooting or the iris.">the bow</a> <a href="/hebrew/5307.htm" title="5307: lə·hap·pîl (Prep-l:: V-Hifil-Inf) -- To fall, lie. A primitive root; to fall, in a great variety of applications.">to bring down</a> <a href="/hebrew/6041.htm" title="6041: ‘ā·nî (Adj-ms) -- Poor, afflicted, humble. From anah; depressed, in mind or circumstances.">the poor</a> <a href="/hebrew/34.htm" title="34: wə·’eḇ·yō·wn (Conj-w:: Adj-ms) -- In want, needy, poor. From 'abah, in the sense of want; destitute.">and needy,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2873.htm" title="2873: liṭ·ḇō·w·aḥ (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To slaughter, butcher, slay. A primitive root; to slaughter.">to slay</a> <a href="/hebrew/1870.htm" title="1870: ḏā·reḵ (N-cs) -- Way, road, distance, journey, manner. From darak; a road; figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb.">those whose ways</a> <a href="/hebrew/3477.htm" title="3477: yiš·rê- (Adj-mpc) -- Straight, right. From yashar; straight.">are upright.</a> </span><span class="reftext">15</span>But their swords will pierce their own hearts, and their bows will be broken.…<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="/proverbs/1-11.htm">Proverbs 1:11-12</a></span><br />If they say, “Come along, let us lie in wait for blood, let us ambush the innocent without cause, / let us swallow them alive like Sheol, and whole like those descending into the Pit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/12-6.htm">Proverbs 12:6</a></span><br />The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the speech of the upright rescues them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/24-15.htm">Proverbs 24:15-16</a></span><br />Do not lie in wait, O wicked man, near the dwelling of the righteous; do not destroy his resting place. / For though a righteous man may fall seven times, he still gets up; but the wicked stumble in bad times.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/59-7.htm">Isaiah 59:7</a></span><br />Their feet run to evil; they are swift to shed innocent blood. Their thoughts are sinful thoughts; ruin and destruction lie in their wake.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/micah/7-2.htm">Micah 7:2</a></span><br />The godly man has perished from the earth; there is no one upright among men. They all lie in wait for blood; they hunt one another with a net.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/5-26.htm">Jeremiah 5:26</a></span><br />For among My people are wicked men; they watch like fowlers lying in wait; they set a trap to catch men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/18-18.htm">Jeremiah 18:18</a></span><br />Then some said, “Come, let us make plans against Jeremiah, for the law will never be lost to the priest, nor counsel to the wise, nor an oracle to the prophet. Come, let us denounce him and pay no heed to any of his words.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/habakkuk/1-15.htm">Habakkuk 1:15-16</a></span><br />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. / Therefore he sacrifices to his dragnet and burns incense to his fishing net, for by these things his portion is sumptuous and his food is rich.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/24-11.htm">1 Samuel 24:11</a></span><br />See, my father, look at the corner of your robe in my hand. For I cut it off, but I did not kill you. Know and see that there is no evil or rebellion in my hands. I have not sinned against you, even though you are hunting me down to take my life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/26-9.htm">1 Samuel 26:9</a></span><br />But David said to Abishai, “Do not destroy him, for who can extend a hand against the LORD’s anointed and be guiltless?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/26-52.htm">Matthew 26:52</a></span><br />“Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him. “For all who draw the sword will die by the sword.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/22-49.htm">Luke 22:49-51</a></span><br />Those around Jesus saw what was about to happen and said, “Lord, should we strike with our swords?” / And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear. / But Jesus answered, “No more of this!” And He touched the man’s ear and healed him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/18-10.htm">John 18:10-11</a></span><br />Then Simon Peter drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus. / “Put your sword back in its sheath!” Jesus said to Peter. “Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given Me?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/23-12.htm">Acts 23:12-15</a></span><br />When daylight came, the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul. / More than forty of them were involved in this plot. / They went to the chief priests and elders and said, “We have bound ourselves with a solemn oath not to eat anything until we have killed Paul. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/3-15.htm">Romans 3:15-17</a></span><br />“Their feet are swift to shed blood; / ruin and misery lie in their wake, / and the way of peace they have not known.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, and to slay such as be of upright conversation.</p><p class="hdg">wicked</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/64-2.htm">Psalm 64:2-6</a></b></br> Hide me from the secret counsel of the wicked; from the insurrection of the workers of iniquity: … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/acts/12-2.htm">Acts 12:2,3,11,23</a></b></br> And he killed James the brother of John with the sword… </p><p class="hdg">slay</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/24-11.htm">1 Samuel 24:11,17</a></b></br> Moreover, my father, see, yea, see the skirt of thy robe in my hand: for in that I cut off the skirt of thy robe, and killed thee not, know thou and see that <i>there is</i> neither evil nor transgression in mine hand, and I have not sinned against thee; yet thou huntest my soul to take it… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/29-10.htm">Proverbs 29:10,27</a></b></br> The bloodthirsty hate the upright: but the just seek his soul… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/habakkuk/1-13.htm">Habakkuk 1:13</a></b></br> <i>Thou art</i> of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity: wherefore lookest thou upon them that deal treacherously, <i>and</i> holdest thy tongue when the wicked devoureth <i>the man that is</i> more righteous than he?</p><p class="hdg">such as [heb.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/psalms/35-13.htm">Afflicted</a> <a href="/psalms/18-34.htm">Bend</a> <a href="/psalms/20-8.htm">Bent</a> <a href="/psalms/31-2.htm">Bow</a> <a href="/psalms/21-12.htm">Bows</a> <a href="/psalms/36-12.htm">Cast</a> <a href="/psalms/37-8.htm">Cause</a> <a href="/job/34-11.htm">Conduct</a> <a href="/1_samuel/19-7.htm">Conversation</a> <a href="/psalms/12-5.htm">Crushing</a> <a href="/psalms/34-21.htm">Death</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/9-4.htm">Deportment</a> <a href="/psalms/36-10.htm">Draw</a> <a href="/psalms/30-1.htm">Drawn</a> <a href="/psalms/37-9.htm">Evil-Doers</a> <a href="/psalms/35-8.htm">Fall</a> <a href="/psalms/34-21.htm">Kill</a> <a href="/psalms/35-10.htm">Needy</a> <a href="/psalms/35-21.htm">Opened</a> <a href="/psalms/35-10.htm">Poor</a> <a href="/esther/9-5.htm">Slaughter</a> <a href="/psalms/34-21.htm">Slay</a> <a href="/psalms/22-20.htm">Sword</a> <a href="/nehemiah/4-13.htm">Swords</a> <a href="/psalms/7-12.htm">Trodden</a> <a href="/psalms/37-12.htm">Upright</a> <a href="/psalms/17-2.htm">Uprightly</a> <a href="/psalms/26-11.htm">Walk</a> <a href="/psalms/37-8.htm">Way</a> <a href="/psalms/37-7.htm">Ways</a> <a href="/psalms/37-13.htm">Wicked</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/psalms/40-17.htm">Afflicted</a> <a href="/psalms/64-3.htm">Bend</a> <a href="/psalms/38-6.htm">Bent</a> <a href="/psalms/42-6.htm">Bow</a> <a href="/psalms/37-15.htm">Bows</a> <a href="/psalms/37-24.htm">Cast</a> <a href="/psalms/38-1.htm">Cause</a> <a href="/proverbs/10-23.htm">Conduct</a> <a href="/psalms/50-23.htm">Conversation</a> <a href="/psalms/42-10.htm">Crushing</a> <a href="/psalms/37-32.htm">Death</a> <a href="/psalms/50-23.htm">Deportment</a> <a href="/psalms/58-7.htm">Draw</a> <a href="/psalms/55-21.htm">Drawn</a> <a href="/psalms/37-16.htm">Evil-Doers</a> <a href="/psalms/37-24.htm">Fall</a> <a href="/psalms/37-32.htm">Kill</a> <a href="/psalms/40-17.htm">Needy</a> <a href="/psalms/39-9.htm">Opened</a> <a href="/psalms/40-17.htm">Poor</a> <a href="/psalms/44-11.htm">Slaughter</a> <a href="/psalms/37-32.htm">Slay</a> <a href="/psalms/37-15.htm">Sword</a> <a href="/psalms/37-15.htm">Swords</a> <a href="/psalms/58-7.htm">Trodden</a> <a href="/psalms/37-18.htm">Upright</a> <a href="/psalms/58-1.htm">Uprightly</a> <a href="/psalms/39-6.htm">Walk</a> <a href="/psalms/37-23.htm">Way</a> <a href="/psalms/39-1.htm">Ways</a> <a href="/psalms/37-16.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 /> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script><br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/psalms/37.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div><b>The wicked draw their swords</b><br />This phrase paints a vivid picture of aggression and hostility. The Hebrew word for "wicked" is "רְשָׁעִים" (resha'im), which refers to those who are morally wrong or guilty. In the biblical context, the wicked are often those who oppose God's people and His ways. The act of drawing swords signifies preparation for battle or violence. Historically, swords were a primary weapon in ancient warfare, symbolizing power and the intent to harm. This imagery underscores the threat posed by those who reject God's righteousness.<p><b>and bend their bows</b><br />The bending of bows complements the drawing of swords, indicating readiness for attack. The Hebrew word for "bow" is "קֶשֶׁת" (qeshet), a weapon used for long-range attacks. Bows and arrows were common in ancient Israelite warfare, representing a calculated and deliberate threat. This phrase suggests a premeditated plan to harm, highlighting the persistent danger posed by the wicked to the righteous.<p><b>to bring down the poor and needy</b><br />Here, the targets of the wicked's aggression are identified: the "poor" and "needy." The Hebrew words "עָנִי" (ani) and "אֶבְיוֹן" (evyon) describe those who are afflicted, humble, and lacking in resources. Throughout Scripture, God expresses a special concern for the poor and needy, often commanding His people to protect and provide for them. This phrase reveals the wicked's disregard for God's commands and their exploitation of the vulnerable.<p><b>to slay those whose ways are upright</b><br />The ultimate goal of the wicked is to "slay" the upright, those who live according to God's righteous standards. The Hebrew word for "upright" is "יָשָׁר" (yashar), meaning straight or right. This term is often used to describe individuals who walk in integrity and faithfulness to God. The wicked's intent to destroy the upright highlights the spiritual battle between good and evil, a recurring theme throughout the Bible. It serves as a reminder of the cost of righteousness and the opposition faced by those who choose to follow God's path.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/37.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 14.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">The wicked have drawn out the sword, and bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy</span>. David is perhaps thinking especially of his own persecutors, Saul and Absalom, who pursued after him with armed men, and sought his life (<a href="/1_samuel/23-8.htm">1 Samuel 23:8, 14, 26</a>; <a href="/1_samuel/24-2.htm">1 Samuel 24:2</a>; <a href="/1_samuel/26-2.htm">1 Samuel 26:2</a>; <a href="/2_samuel/17-24.htm">2 Samuel 17:24-26</a>; <a href="/2_samuel/18-6.htm">2 Samuel 18:6-8</a>). But he may also have in his mind the raids that powerful chiefs made upon their weak and peaceful neighbours (<a href="/job/24-5.htm">Job 24:5-12</a>). And to slay such as be of a right conversation; or, <span class="accented">such as are upright in way</span>; <span class="accented">i.e.</span> such as lead a righteous <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/psalms/37-14.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">The wicked</span><br /><span class="heb">רְשָׁעִים֮</span> <span class="translit">(rə·šā·‘îm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine plural<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">have drawn</span><br /><span class="heb">פָּֽתְח֣וּ</span> <span class="translit">(pā·ṯə·ḥū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6605.htm">Strong's 6605: </a> </span><span class="str2">To open wide, to loosen, begin, plough, carve</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the sword</span><br /><span class="heb">חֶ֤רֶב ׀</span> <span class="translit">(ḥe·reḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2719.htm">Strong's 2719: </a> </span><span class="str2">Drought, a cutting instrument, as a, knife, sword</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and bent</span><br /><span class="heb">וְדָרְכ֪וּ</span> <span class="translit">(wə·ḏā·rə·ḵū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1869.htm">Strong's 1869: </a> </span><span class="str2">To tread, to walk, to string a, bow</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the bow</span><br /><span class="heb">קַ֫שְׁתָּ֥ם</span> <span class="translit">(qaš·tām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7198.htm">Strong's 7198: </a> </span><span class="str2">A bow, for, shooting, the iris</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to bring down</span><br /><span class="heb">לְ֭הַפִּיל</span> <span class="translit">(lə·hap·pîl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5307.htm">Strong's 5307: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fall, lie</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the poor</span><br /><span class="heb">עָנִ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(‘ā·nî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6041.htm">Strong's 6041: </a> </span><span class="str2">Poor, afflicted, humble</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and needy,</span><br /><span class="heb">וְאֶבְי֑וֹן</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’eḇ·yō·wn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_34.htm">Strong's 34: </a> </span><span class="str2">In want, needy, poor</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to slay</span><br /><span class="heb">לִ֝טְב֗וֹחַ</span> <span class="translit">(liṭ·ḇō·w·aḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2873.htm">Strong's 2873: </a> </span><span class="str2">To slaughter, butcher, slay</span><br /><br /><span class="word">those whose ways</span><br /><span class="heb">דָֽרֶךְ׃</span> <span class="translit">(ḏā·reḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1870.htm">Strong's 1870: </a> </span><span class="str2">A road, a course of life, mode of action</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[are] upright.</span><br /><span class="heb">יִשְׁרֵי־</span> <span class="translit">(yiš·rê-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3477.htm">Strong's 3477: </a> </span><span class="str2">Straight, right</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/psalms/37-14.htm">Psalm 37:14 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/psalms/37-14.htm">Psalm 37:14 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/psalms/37-14.htm">Psalm 37:14 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/psalms/37-14.htm">Psalm 37:14 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/psalms/37-14.htm">Psalm 37:14 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/psalms/37-14.htm">Psalm 37:14 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/psalms/37-14.htm">Psalm 37:14 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/psalms/37-14.htm">Psalm 37:14 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/psalms/37-14.htm">Psalm 37:14 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/psalms/37-14.htm">Psalm 37:14 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/psalms/37-14.htm">OT Poetry: Psalm 37:14 The wicked have drawn out the sword (Psalm Ps Psa.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/psalms/37-13.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Psalm 37:13"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Psalm 37:13" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/psalms/37-15.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Psalm 37:15"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Psalm 37:15" /></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>