Psalms 37:35
33 The LORD will not leave him in his hand, nor condemn him when he is judged.
34 Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.
I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree.
36 Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found.
37 Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace.
This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- I have seen a wicked, ruthless man flourishing like a well-rooted native tree,
- KJV
- I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree.
- WEB
- I have seen the wicked in great power, spreading himself like a green tree in its native soil.
- ASV
- I have seen the wicked in great power, And spreading himself like a green tree in its native soil.
- DARBY
- I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading like a green tree in its native soil:
- BLB
- I have seen a wicked, ruthless one spread out like a luxuriant native tree.
- ÅB
- Jeg så en ugudelig som var mektig
og bredte seg som et grønt, rotfast tre; - OTB
- Jeg har sett en ugudelig og brutal person
Blomstre som et frodig innfødt tre. - B1930
- Jeg så en ugudelig som var veldig og utbredte sig som et grønt tre som ikke er flyttet;
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Job 5:3
I have seen the foolish taking root: but suddenly I cursed his habitation.
Read in contextPsalms 73:3–11
For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
Read in contextJob 21:7–17
Wherefore do the wicked live, become old, yea, are mighty in power?
Read in contextEzekiel 31:6–10
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.
Read in contextIsaiah 14:14–19
I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.
Read in contextJob 8:13–19
So are the paths of all that forget God; and the hypocrite’s hope shall perish:
Read in contextEzekiel 31:18
To whom art thou thus like in glory and in greatness among the trees of Eden? yet shalt thou be brought down with the trees of Eden unto the nether parts of the earth: thou shalt lie in the midst of the uncircumcised with them that be slain by the sword. This is Pharaoh and all his multitude, saith the Lord GOD.
Read in contextEsther 5:11
And Haman told them of the glory of his riches, and the multitude of his children, and all the things wherein the king had promoted him, and how he had advanced him above the princes and servants of the king.
Read in context