Psalms 37:36
Psalms 37:36 in Multiple Translations
yet he passed away and was no more; though I searched, he could not be found.
Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found.
But one passed by, and, lo, he was not: Yea, I sought him, but he could not be found.
But he came to an end, and there was no sign of him; I made a search for him and he was not there.
But when I passed that way the next time, they were gone. I searched for them but couldn't find them.
Yet he passed away, and loe, he was gone, and I sought him, but he could not be founde.
And he passeth away, and lo, he is not, And I seek him, and he is not found!
But he passed away, and behold, he was not. Yes, I sought him, but he could not be found.
Yet he passed away, and lo, he was not: yes, I sought him, but he could not be found.
when I looked later, they were gone! I searched for them, but Yahweh had caused them to disappear.
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 37:36
BAB
Word Study
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Psalms 37:36 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ֭/יַּֽעֲבֹר
וְ/הִנֵּ֣ה
אֵינֶ֑/נּוּ
וָֽ֝/אֲבַקְשֵׁ֗/הוּ
וְ/לֹ֣א
נִמְצָֽא
וַ֭/יַּֽעֲבֹר
ʻâbar
H5674
to pass
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
וְ/הִנֵּ֣ה
hinnêh
H2009
behold
Conj | Part
אֵינֶ֑/נּוּ
ʼayin
H369
nothing
Part | Suff
וָֽ֝/אֲבַקְשֵׁ֗/הוּ
bâqash
H1245
to seek
Conj | V-Piel-ConsecImperf-1cs | Suff
וְ/לֹ֣א
lôʼ
H3808
not
Conj | Part
נִמְצָֽא
mâtsâʼ
H4672
to find
V-Niphal-Perf-3ms
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 37:36
וַ֭/יַּֽעֲבֹר
ʻâbar
H5674
"to pass"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
This verb can mean to cross over or transition from one thing to another, and is sometimes used to describe being arrogant or crossing a boundary.
Definition: 1) to pass over or by or through, alienate, bring, carry, do away, take, take away, transgress 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to pass over, cross, cross over, pass over, march over, overflow, go over 1a2) to pass beyond 1a3) to pass through, traverse 1a3a) passers-through (participle) 1a3b) to pass through (the parts of victim in covenant) 1a4) to pass along, pass by, overtake and pass, sweep by 1a4a) passer-by (participle) 1a4b) to be past, be over 1a5) to pass on, go on, pass on before, go in advance of, pass along, travel, advance 1a6) to pass away 1a6a) to emigrate, leave (one's territory) 1a6b) to vanish 1a6c) to perish, cease to exist 1a6d) to become invalid, become obsolete (of law, decree) 1a6e) to be alienated, pass into other hands 1b) (Niphal) to be crossed 1c) (Piel) to impregnate, cause to cross 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to cause to pass over, cause to bring over, cause to cross over, make over to, dedicate, devote 1d2) to cause to pass through 1d3) to cause to pass by or beyond or under, let pass by 1d4) to cause to pass away, cause to take away 1e) (Hithpael) to pass over
Usage: Occurs in 493 OT verses. KJV: alienate, alter, [idiom] at all, beyond, bring (over, through), carry over, (over-) come (on, over), conduct (over), convey over, current, deliver, do away, enter, escape, fail, gender, get over, (make) go (away, beyond, by, forth, his way, in, on, over, through), have away (more), lay, meddle, overrun, make partition, (cause to, give, make to, over) pass(-age, along, away, beyond, by, -enger, on, out, over, through), (cause to, make) [phrase] proclaim(-amation), perish, provoke to anger, put away, rage, [phrase] raiser of taxes, remove, send over, set apart, [phrase] shave, cause to (make) sound, [idiom] speedily, [idiom] sweet smelling, take (away), (make to) transgress(-or), translate, turn away, (way-) faring man, be wrath. See also: Genesis 8:1; Deuteronomy 27:2; 1 Samuel 25:19.
וְ/הִנֵּ֣ה
hinnêh
H2009
"behold"
Conj | Part
This Hebrew word is an expression that means 'behold' or 'look', often used to draw attention to something. It appears in Genesis and Isaiah, and is translated as 'behold' or 'lo' in the KJV.
Definition: behold, lo, see, if
Usage: Occurs in 799 OT verses. KJV: behold, lo, see. See also: Genesis 1:29; Genesis 42:35; Deuteronomy 19:18.
אֵינֶ֑/נּוּ
ʼayin
H369
"nothing"
Part | Suff
This word means nothing or not, often used to indicate the absence of something, as in Genesis 1:2 where the earth was without form. It emphasizes the idea of something lacking or non-existent.
Definition: 1) nothing, not, nought n 1a) nothing, nought neg 1b) not 1c) to have not (of possession) adv 1d) without w/prep 1e) for lack of
Usage: Occurs in 686 OT verses. KJV: else, except, fail, (father-) less, be gone, in(-curable), neither, never, no (where), none, nor, (any, thing), not, nothing, to nought, past, un(-searchable), well-nigh, without. Compare H370 (אַיִן). See also: Genesis 2:5; Deuteronomy 14:27; 1 Kings 15:22.
וָֽ֝/אֲבַקְשֵׁ֗/הוּ
bâqash
H1245
"to seek"
Conj | V-Piel-ConsecImperf-1cs | Suff
This Hebrew verb means to seek or search for something. In Psalm 105:4, it's used to encourage seeking God's face. It's also used in 1 Samuel 28:8 where Saul seeks a medium.
Definition: 1) to seek, require, desire, exact, request 1a) (Piel) 1a1) to seek to find 1a2) to seek to secure 1a3) to seek the face 1a4) to desire, demand 1a5) to require, exact 1a6) to ask, request 1b) (Pual) to be sought
Usage: Occurs in 215 OT verses. KJV: ask, beg, beseech, desire, enquire, get, make inquisition, procure, (make) request, require, seek (for). See also: Genesis 31:39; Esther 7:7; Psalms 4:3.
וְ/לֹ֣א
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Conj | Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
נִמְצָֽא
mâtsâʼ
H4672
"to find"
V-Niphal-Perf-3ms
Matsa means to find or attain something, whether it is a physical object, a person, or a condition, as seen in various KJV translations.
Definition: 1) to find, attain to 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to find 1a1a) to find, secure, acquire, get (thing sought) 1a1b) to find (what is lost) 1a1c) to meet, encounter 1a1d) to find (a condition) 1a1e) to learn, devise 1a2) to find out 1a2a) to find out 1a2b) to detect 1a2c) to guess 1a3) to come upon, light upon 1a3a) to happen upon, meet, fall in with 1a3b) to hit 1a3c) to befall 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be found 1b1a) to be encountered, be lighted upon, be discovered 1b1b) to appear, be recognised 1b1c) to be discovered, be detected 1b1d) to be gained, be secured 1b2) to be, be found 1b2a) to be found in 1b2b) to be in the possession of 1b2c) to be found in (a place), happen to be 1b2d) to be left (after war) 1b2e) to be present 1b2f) to prove to be 1b2g) to be found sufficient, be enough 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to cause to find, attain 1c2) to cause to light upon, come upon, come 1c3) to cause to encounter 1c4) to present (offering)
Usage: Occurs in 425 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] be able, befall, being, catch, [idiom] certainly, (cause to) come (on, to, to hand), deliver, be enough (cause to) find(-ing, occasion, out), get (hold upon), [idiom] have (here), be here, hit, be left, light (up-) on, meet (with), [idiom] occasion serve, (be) present, ready, speed, suffice, take hold on. See also: Genesis 2:20; Deuteronomy 22:3; 2 Kings 9:35.
Study Notes — Psalms 37:36
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 37:36 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 37:36
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 37:36
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 37:36
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 37:36
- Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 37:36
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 37:36
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 37:36
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 37:36
- Sermons on Psalms 37:36
Context — Delight Yourself in the LORD
34Wait 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.
35I have seen a wicked, ruthless man flourishing like a well-rooted native tree,
36yet he passed away and was no more; though I searched, he could not be found.
37Consider the blameless and observe the upright, for posterity awaits the man of peace. 38But the transgressors will all be destroyed; the future of the wicked will be cut off.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalms 37:10 | Yet a little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found. |
| 2 | Acts 12:22–23 | And they began to shout, “This is the voice of a god, not a man!” Immediately, because Herod did not give glory to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died. |
| 3 | Isaiah 10:16–19 | Therefore the Lord GOD of Hosts will send a wasting disease among Assyria’s stout warriors, and under his pomp will be kindled a fire like a burning flame. And the Light of Israel will become a fire, and its Holy One a flame. In a single day it will burn and devour Assyria’s thorns and thistles. The splendor of its forests and orchards, both soul and body, it will completely destroy, as a sickness consumes a man. The remaining trees of its forests will be so few that a child could count them. |
| 4 | Exodus 15:19 | For when Pharaoh’s horses, chariots, and horsemen went into the sea, the LORD brought the waters of the sea back over them. But the Israelites walked through the sea on dry ground. |
| 5 | Isaiah 10:33–34 | 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. |
| 6 | Job 20:5–29 | 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?’ He will fly away like a dream, never to be found; he will be chased away like a vision in the night. The eye that saw him will see him no more, and his place will no longer behold him. His sons will seek the favor of the poor, for his own hands must return his wealth. The youthful vigor that fills his bones will lie down with him in the dust. Though evil is sweet in his mouth and he conceals it under his tongue, though he cannot bear to let it go and keeps it in his mouth, yet in his stomach his food sours into the venom of cobras within him. He swallows wealth but vomits it out; God will force it from his stomach. He will suck the poison of cobras; the fangs of a viper will kill him. He will not enjoy the streams, the rivers flowing with honey and cream. He must return the fruit of his labor without consuming it; he cannot enjoy the profits of his trading. For he has oppressed and forsaken the poor; he has seized houses he did not build. Because his appetite is never satisfied, he cannot escape with his treasure. Nothing is left for him to consume; thus his prosperity will not endure. In the midst of his plenty, he will be distressed; the full force of misery will come upon him. When he has filled his stomach, God will vent His fury upon him, raining it down on him as he eats. Though he flees from an iron weapon, a bronze-tipped arrow will pierce him. It is drawn out of his back, the gleaming point from his liver. Terrors come over him. Total darkness is reserved for his treasures. A fire unfanned will consume him and devour what is left in his tent. The heavens will expose his iniquity, and the earth will rise up against him. The possessions of his house will be removed, flowing away on the day of God’s wrath. This is the wicked man’s portion from God, the inheritance God has appointed him.” |
| 7 | Exodus 15:9–10 | The enemy declared, ‘I will pursue, I will overtake. I will divide the spoils; I will gorge myself on them. I will draw my sword; my hand will destroy them.’ But You blew with Your breath, and the sea covered them. They sank like lead in the mighty waters. |
Psalms 37:36 Summary
This verse, Psalms 37:36, reminds us that even if the wicked seem to be doing well, they will ultimately face judgment and be forgotten. On the other hand, the righteous, who trust in God and live according to His ways, will be rewarded and remembered, as seen in Psalms 37:34 and Matthew 25:34. We can trust in God's sovereignty and justice, knowing that He will ultimately make things right, as stated in Romans 12:19. By focusing on living a life of obedience and faithfulness, we can have confidence in God's plan and provision for us, as encouraged in Jeremiah 29:11.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for the wicked to 'pass away and be no more'?
This phrase suggests that the wicked, despite their temporary prosperity, will ultimately face judgment and destruction, as seen in Psalms 37:38 and Isaiah 57:1, where it is written that the righteous are taken away to be spared from calamity, while the wicked are cut off.
Why did the Psalmist search for the wicked man but could not find him?
The Psalmist's search for the wicked man, as described in Psalms 37:36, illustrates the idea that the wicked, although they may seem to flourish for a time, will ultimately be forgotten and lost to history, in contrast to the righteous, who will be remembered and rewarded, as stated in Psalms 112:6 and Proverbs 10:7.
How does this verse relate to the overall message of Psalms 37?
Psalms 37:36 serves as a reminder to trust in God's justice and timing, as expressed in Psalms 37:34, where it is written to wait for the Lord and keep His way, and He will raise you up to inherit the land, and to not be envious of the wicked, who will ultimately face destruction, as stated in Psalms 37:38.
What can we learn from the contrast between the wicked and the righteous in this verse?
The contrast between the wicked, who pass away and are no more, and the righteous, who will inherit the land, as seen in Psalms 37:34, highlights the importance of trusting in God's sovereignty and living a life of obedience and faithfulness, as encouraged in Psalms 37:3-4 and Matthew 5:5.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways in which I have seen the wicked prosper in my own life, and how can I trust in God's justice and timing?
- How can I cultivate a heart of trust and faithfulness, like the Psalmist, in the face of uncertainty and injustice?
- What are some ways in which I can 'search' for and remember the righteous, who will be rewarded and remembered by God?
- How can I apply the lesson of Psalms 37:36 to my own life, by not being envious of the wicked and instead trusting in God's plan?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 37:36
Yet he passed away,.... At once, on a sudden; either his riches and honour, which, in one hour, came to nought, by one providence or another; or he himself by death; in the midst of all his
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 37:36
Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found. He passed ... was not. One could scarcely believe one's eyes, that such a flourishing sinner could so quickly and so utterly perish.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 37:36
He was gone in an instant, like a tree blasted and blown down, or cut off and rooted out, and carried away in a moment. There was no monument nor remainder of him left.
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 37:36
Psalms 37:36 Yet he passed away, and, lo, he [was] not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found.Ver. 36. Yet he passed away, &c.] The Greek and Latin have it, I passed by. See Psalms 37:10. How soon and utterly withered and wasted the fig tree Christ cursed! so forcible is his curse.
Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 37:36
(36) Yet he passed away.—This should be, And there went one by, &c. LXX. and Vulg. have, “And I passed by.” (Comp. Prayer Book version.)
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 37:36
Verse 36. Yet he passed away] Both Nebuchadnezzar and his wicked successor, Belshazzar; and on the destruction of the latter, when God had weighed him in the balance, and found him wanting, numbered his days, and consigned him to death, his kingdom was delivered to the Medes and Persians; and thus the Babylonian empire was destroyed.
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 37:36
36. Yet he passed away] R.V. But one passed by. Better, with LXX, Vulg., Syr., Jer.; And I passed by.
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 37:36
Yet he passed away - Compare the notes at Job 20:5. The allusion here, of course, is to the man, and not to the tree, though the grammatical construction might refer to either.
Sermons on Psalms 37:36
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Understanding Spiritual Authority (Part 2): The Purpose and the Limits of Authority by Carter Conlon | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes that he is just a voice crying out for God, unable to change people's lives. He urges the listeners to open their hearts and make a straight |
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The Love of God to Man by Benjamin Franklin | The preacher delves into the multifaceted nuances of the Greek word 'oligos,' which can refer to being small in number, time, distance, size, or degree. The term is used in various |
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(Through the Bible) Isaiah 11-15 by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, the preacher discusses various biblical passages and themes. He emphasizes the power and authority of God, who has the ability to destroy cities and open prison doo |
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The Cost by J.C. Ryle | J.C. Ryle emphasizes the importance of counting the cost of true Christianity, urging believers to consider the sacrifices required to follow Christ. He warns that many who initial |