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Home › Berean Standard Bible  › Psalms 37  › Psalms 37:35

Psalms 37:35

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Psalms 37:35 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

I have seen a wicked, ruthless man flourishing like a well-rooted native tree,

King James Version KJV

I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree.

American Standard Version ASV

I have seen the wicked in great power, And spreading himself like a green tree in its native soil.

Bible in Basic English BBE

I have seen the evil-doer in great power, covering the earth like a great tree.

Free Bible Version FBV

I have watched the wicked acting brutally, spreading like a large tree in its native land.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

I haue seene the wicked strong, and spreading himselfe like a greene bay tree.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

I have seen the wicked terrible, And spreading as a green native plant,

World English Bible WEB

I have seen the wicked in great power, spreading himself like a green tree in its native soil.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree.

Translation for Translators T4T

I have seen that wicked people who ◄act like tyrants/terrify people► sometimes prosper, like trees that grow well in fertile soil,

Study Highlights

Key words in the translations above are automatically highlighted. Names of God and Jesus are marked in purple, the Holy Spirit in orange, divine action verbs are underlined, and repeated key words are highlighted in yellow.

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Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 37:35

BAB
Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Psalms 37:35 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
HEB רָ֭אִיתִי רָשָׁ֣ע עָרִ֑יץ וּ֝/מִתְעָרֶ֗ה כְּ/אֶזְרָ֥ח רַעֲנָֽן
רָ֭אִיתִי râʼâh H7200 Provider V-Qal-Perf-1cs
רָשָׁ֣ע râshâʻ H7563 wicked Adj
עָרִ֑יץ ʻârîyts H6184 ruthless Adj
וּ֝/מִתְעָרֶ֗ה ʻârâh H6168 to uncover Conj | V-Hithpael
כְּ/אֶזְרָ֥ח ʼezrâch H249 born Prep | N-ms
רַעֲנָֽן raʻănân H7488 be fresh Adj
Hebrew Word Study

Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.

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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 37:35

רָ֭אִיתִי râʼâh H7200 "Provider" V-Qal-Perf-1cs
The Hebrew word for provider means to see or look after, and is used to describe God's care for his people. It appears in various forms throughout the Bible, including in Genesis and other books.
Definition: (Lord will) Provide, cause to be seen. This name means to see, look at, inspect, look after
Usage: Occurs in 1206 OT verses. KJV: advise self, appear, approve, behold, [idiom] certainly, consider, discern, (make to) enjoy, have experience, gaze, take heed, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] joyfully, lo, look (on, one another, one on another, one upon another, out, up, upon), mark, meet, [idiom] be near, perceive, present, provide, regard, (have) respect, (fore-, cause to, let) see(-r, -m, one another), shew (self), [idiom] sight of others, (e-) spy, stare, [idiom] surely, [idiom] think, view, visions. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 41:41; Exodus 33:13.
רָשָׁ֣ע râshâʻ H7563 "wicked" Adj
This word describes someone who is morally wrong, a bad person who is guilty of crime or sin against God or others. It is used to describe the wicked in biblical stories, such as in the book of Genesis.
Definition: 1) wicked, criminal 1a) guilty one, one guilty of crime (subst) 1b) wicked (hostile to God) 1c) wicked, guilty of sin (against God or man)
Usage: Occurs in 248 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] condemned, guilty, ungodly, wicked (man), that did wrong. See also: Genesis 18:23; Psalms 101:8; Psalms 1:1.
עָרִ֑יץ ʻârîyts H6184 "ruthless" Adj
This word describes someone or something that inspires fear or awe, often due to great power or strength. It can be translated as mighty, oppressor, or ruthless in different contexts.
Definition: awe-inspiring, terror-striking, awesome, terrifying, ruthless, mighty
Usage: Occurs in 20 OT verses. KJV: mighty, oppressor, in great power, strong, terrible, violent. See also: Job 6:23; Isaiah 25:5; Psalms 37:35.
וּ֝/מִתְעָרֶ֗ה ʻârâh H6168 "to uncover" Conj | V-Hithpael
This Hebrew word means to uncover or make something bare, and is used in various contexts, including being naked or pouring something out. It appears in Deuteronomy 28:48 and Isaiah 32:11. The KJV translates it as 'uncover' or 'empty'.
Definition: 1) to be bare, be nude, uncover, leave destitute, discover, empty, raze, pour out 1a) (Piel) 1a1) to bare, lay bare 1a2) to lay bare by emptying, empty 1a3) to pour out 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to make naked, strip bare (of sexual offences) 1b2) to pour out 1c) (Niphal) to be poured out, be exposed 1d) (Hithpael) 1d1) to expose oneself, make oneself naked 1d2) pouring oneself, spreading oneself (participle)
Usage: Occurs in 14 OT verses. KJV: leave destitute, discover, empty, make naked, pour (out), rase, spread self, uncover. See also: Genesis 24:20; Isaiah 3:17; Psalms 37:35.
כְּ/אֶזְרָ֥ח ʼezrâch H249 "born" Prep | N-ms
This word refers to something or someone that is native or born in a place, like a tree that grows naturally or a person born in a certain country, as seen in the Bible when describing native Israelites.
Definition: 1) a native (one rising from the soil) 1a) of man, native Israelites 1b) of tree, native (to Israel)
Usage: Occurs in 17 OT verses. KJV: bay tree, (home-) born (in the land), of the (one's own) country (nation). See also: Exodus 12:19; Leviticus 24:16; Psalms 37:35.
רַעֲנָֽן raʻănân H7488 "be fresh" Adj
This word describes something as luxuriant or fresh, like a new and growing plant. It is used to describe a prosperous or thriving condition.
Definition: v (Palel) to be or grow luxuriant or fresh or green
Usage: Occurs in 20 OT verses. KJV: green, flourishing. See also: Deuteronomy 12:2; Song of Solomon 1:16; Psalms 37:35.

Study Notes — Psalms 37:35

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 Job 5:3 I have seen a fool taking root, but suddenly his house was cursed.
2 Ezekiel 31:18 Who then is like you in glory and greatness among the trees of Eden? You also will be brought down to the depths of the earth to be with the trees of Eden. You will lie among the uncircumcised, with those slain by the sword. This is Pharaoh and all his multitude, declares the Lord GOD.’”
3 Isaiah 14:14–19 I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.” But you will be brought down to Sheol, to the lowest depths of the Pit. Those who see you will stare; they will ponder your fate: “Is this the man who shook the earth and made the kingdoms tremble, who turned the world into a desert and destroyed its cities, who refused to let the captives return to their homes?” All the kings of the nations lie in state, each in his own tomb. But you are cast out of your grave like a rejected branch, covered by those slain with the sword, and dumped into a rocky pit like a carcass trampled underfoot.
4 Esther 5:11 Haman recounted to them his glorious wealth, his many sons, and all the ways the king had honored and promoted him over the other officials and servants.
5 Job 21:7–17 Why do the wicked live on, growing old and increasing in power? Their descendants are established around them, and their offspring before their eyes. Their homes are safe from fear; no rod of punishment from God is upon them. Their bulls breed without fail; their cows bear calves and do not miscarry. They send forth their little ones like a flock; their children skip about, singing to the tambourine and lyre and making merry at the sound of the flute. They spend their days in prosperity and go down to Sheol in peace. Yet they say to God: ‘Leave us alone! For we have no desire to know Your ways. Who is the Almighty, that we should serve Him, and what would we gain if we pray to Him?’ Still, their prosperity is not in their own hands, so I stay far from the counsel of the wicked. How often is the lamp of the wicked put out? Does disaster come upon them? Does God, in His anger, apportion destruction?
6 Job 8:13–19 Such is the destiny of all who forget God; so the hope of the godless will perish. His confidence is fragile; his security is in a spider’s web. He leans on his web, but it gives way; he holds fast, but it does not endure. He is a well-watered plant in the sunshine, spreading its shoots over the garden. His roots wrap around the rock heap; he looks for a home among the stones. If he is uprooted from his place, it will disown him, saying, ‘I never saw you.’ Surely this is the joy of his way; yet others will spring from the dust.
7 Ezekiel 31:6–10 All the birds of the air nested in its branches, and all the beasts of the field gave birth beneath its boughs; all the great nations lived in its shade. It was beautiful in its greatness, in the length of its limbs, for its roots extended to abundant waters. The cedars in the garden of God could not rival it; the cypresses could not compare with its branches, nor the plane trees match its boughs. No tree in the garden of God could compare with its beauty. I made it beautiful with its many branches, the envy of all the trees of Eden, which were in the garden of God.’ 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,
8 Psalms 73:3–11 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. Therefore pride is their necklace; a garment of violence covers them. From their prosperity proceeds iniquity; the imaginations of their hearts run wild. They mock and speak with malice; with arrogance they threaten oppression. They set their mouths against the heavens, and their tongues strut across the earth. So their people return to this place and drink up waters in abundance. The wicked say, “How can God know? Does the Most High have knowledge?”
9 Daniel 4:20–33 The tree you saw that grew large and strong, whose top reached the sky and was visible to all the earth, whose foliage was beautiful and whose fruit was abundant, providing food for all, under which the beasts of the field lived, and in whose branches the birds of the air nested— you, O king, are that tree! For you have become great and strong; your greatness has grown to reach the sky, and your dominion extends to the ends of the earth. And you, O king, saw a watcher, a holy one, coming down from heaven and saying: ‘Cut down the tree and destroy it, but leave the stump with its roots in the ground, and a band of iron and bronze around it, in the tender grass of the field. Let him be drenched with the dew of heaven, and graze with the beasts of the field till seven times pass him by.’ This is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree that the Most High has issued against my lord the king: You will be driven away from mankind, and your dwelling will be with the beasts of the field. You will feed on grass like an ox and be drenched with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass you by, until you acknowledge that the Most High rules over the kingdom of mankind and gives it to whom He wishes. As for the command to leave the stump of the tree with its roots, your kingdom will be restored to you as soon as you acknowledge that Heaven rules. Therefore, may my advice be pleasing to you, O king. Break away from your sins by doing what is right, and from your iniquities by showing mercy to the oppressed. Perhaps there will be an extension of your prosperity.” All this happened to King Nebuchadnezzar. Twelve months later, as he was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, the king exclaimed, “Is this not Babylon the Great, which I myself have built by the might of my power as a royal residence 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.” At that moment the sentence against Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled. He was driven away from mankind. He ate grass like an ox, and his body was drenched with the dew of heaven, until his hair grew like the feathers of an eagle and his nails like the claws of a bird.

Psalms 37:35 Summary

[This verse says that even though bad people might seem to be doing well, it's not going to last. The Bible says that God is a righteous judge and will ultimately bring about justice. In the meantime, we can trust Him and wait for Him to act, just like it says in Psalms 37:34. We can also remember that true prosperity and flourishing come from a right relationship with God, as seen in Psalms 1:3.]

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does it seem like the wicked prosper while the righteous struggle?

According to Psalms 37:35, the wicked may appear to flourish, but as seen in Psalms 37:36, their prosperity is short-lived. The Bible reminds us in Ecclesiastes 8:11 that because sentence against an evil deed is not executed speedily, the heart of the sons of men is fully set to do evil.

What does it mean for a wicked man to be 'flourishing like a well-rooted native tree'?

This phrase suggests a sense of stability and prosperity, much like a deeply rooted tree that is able to withstand challenges. However, as seen in Jeremiah 17:5-8, those who trust in man are cursed, while those who trust in the Lord are blessed and will be like a tree planted by water.

How can we trust God when it seems like the wicked are succeeding?

We can trust God because He is a righteous judge, as seen in Genesis 18:25. We are called to wait for the Lord and keep His way, as seen in Psalms 37:34, knowing that He will ultimately bring justice and vindicate the righteous.

What can we learn from the example of the wicked man in this verse?

We can learn that outward appearances can be deceiving, and that true prosperity and flourishing come from a right relationship with God, as seen in Psalms 1:3, where the righteous man is like a tree planted by streams of water, yielding fruit in season.

Reflection Questions

  1. What are some ways in which I have seen the wicked appear to prosper in my own life or in the world around me?
  2. How can I cultivate a deeper trust in God's sovereignty and justice, even when it seems like the wicked are succeeding?
  3. What are some areas in my life where I need to wait for the Lord and keep His way, trusting that He will ultimately bring about justice and vindication?
  4. How can I be like a tree planted by streams of water, yielding fruit in season, as described in Psalms 1:3?

Gill's Exposition on Psalms 37:35

I have seen the wicked in great power,.... Meaning some particular person invested with great power, in great authority among men, one of the spiritual wickednesses in high places; such a man as

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 37:35

I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree. I have ... great power - `in formidable power' [ `aariyts (H6184)] (cf. Job 5:3).

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 37:35

In great power, or formidable; not only himself out of danger, as it seemed, but terrible to others. And spreading himself; and therefore firmly and deeply rooted. Like a green bay tree, which is continually green and flourishing, yea, even in the winter season. Or, like a green tree in its own native soil, where trees flourish much better than when they are transplanted into another soil.

Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 37:35

Psalms 37:35 I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree.Ver. 35. I have seen the wicked in great power] Or, formidable to others; first, a terror, and, shortly after, a scorn. And spreading himself like a green bay tree] Or, cedars of Lebanon, as the Greek hath it, i.e. priding himself in his great prosperity.

Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 37:35

(35) In great power.—Terrible, like a tyrant. Green bay tree.—The Hebrew word elsewhere implies a “native” as opposed to “a foreigner.” So here an indigenous tree. “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 (Laurus nobilis), 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, Natural History of Bible, 338). The LXX. and Vulg., by slightly altering the text, have, “as cedars of Lebanon.”

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 37:35

Verse 35. I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay-tree.] Does not this refer to Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, and to the vision he had of the great tree which was in the midst of the earth, the head of which reached up to heaven? See Daniel 4:10, &c.

Cambridge Bible on Psalms 37:35

32–40. The final contrast.

Barnes' Notes on Psalms 37:35

I have seen - I have had an opportunity, in my long life Psalms 37:25, of witnessing the accuracy of the statement just made, that a righteous man may live to see a confirmation of the truth that

Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 37:35

35. Like a green bay tree—The word rendered “bay tree” means an indigenous, native born tree, one that has never been checked in its growth by transplanting or change of climate, hence vigorous, strong, and flourishing.

Sermons on Psalms 37:35

SermonDescription
Carter Conlon If God Could Keep Me From Trouble, Then Why Doesn't He? by Carter Conlon In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of trusting in the Lord and doing good. He encourages the audience to look for opportunities to do good and to rely on God's p
Joseph Parker God's Terribleness and Gentleness by Joseph Parker Joseph Parker preaches about the contrasting truths of God's power and restraint, emphasizing the importance of understanding and embracing both aspects. He illustrates how God's p
F.B. Meyer This Is the Portion of a Wicked Man From God. by F.B. Meyer F.B. Meyer emphasizes the inevitable connection between wrongdoing and its consequences, as illustrated in the Book of Job. He reflects on the beliefs of Eastern peoples regarding
A.W. Tozer Waiting Rather Than Fretting by A.W. Tozer A.W. Tozer emphasizes the inevitability of external stimuli that cause vexation in our lives, suggesting that true deliverance from a fretting spirit comes through humility, self-d
Clement of Rome We Should Obey God by Clement of Rome Clement of Rome emphasizes the importance of obeying God rather than following prideful and divisive leaders who incite conflict. He warns against yielding to the harmful inclinati
Welcome Detweiler Sunday Night Meditations 59 Message and Song - 1950's by Welcome Detweiler In this sermon, the speaker begins by discussing the second verse of the Bible, which describes a creation in disorder and chaos. The speaker compares this to the condition of the
T. Austin-Sparks The Function of the Son of God by T. Austin-Sparks T. Austin-Sparks emphasizes the greatness and glory of Jesus Christ as the supreme representative of God, revealing the invisible God through His life and work. He explains that th
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