Psalms 37:12 — Word Study
WLCזֹמֵ֣ם רָ֭שָׁע לַצַּדִּ֑יק וְחֹרֵ֖ק עָלָ֣יו שִׁנָּֽיו׃
BSAThe wickedrâshâʻ [morally wrong, guilty of sin, plotters, schemers] schemezâmam [plot, devise evil] against the righteoustsaddîyq [just, upright, made right with God] and gnashchâraq [grind, rub together in anger] their teethshên [in frustration, with contempt] at themʻal [in hostility, with malice]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| זֹמֵ֣ם | [is] plotting | Verb, Qal, participle (active) masculine singular |
| רָ֭שָׁע | [the] wicked | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| לַצַּדִּ֑יק | to the righteous | Preposition |
| וְחֹרֵ֖ק | and [is] gnashing | Conjunction, verb qal participle (active) masculine singular |
| עָלָ֣יו | towards him | Preposition, suffix |
| שִׁנָּֽיו׃ | teeth his | Noun common feminine dual construct, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | The wicked scheme against the righteous and gnash their teeth at them, |
| KJV | The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth. |
| ASV | The wicked plotteth against the just, And gnasheth upon him with his teeth. |
| YLT | The wicked is devising against the righteous, And gnashing against him his teeth. |
| WEB | The wicked plots against the just, and gnashes at him with his teeth. |
| BBE | The sinner has evil designs against the upright, lifting up the voice of wrath against him. |
Translations generally agree on the meaning of the verse, with slight variations in wording.
The sentence is structured with a main action followed by a description of the wicked's emotional response.
6 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Trapp, Cambridge & more — read them ›
clause
subjectרָשָׁע
verbזָמַם
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Psalms 37:12
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — The Contrast Between the Wicked and the Righteousgenerated
Psalm 37:12 describes the wicked's schemes against the righteous, illustrating their hostility and contempt. The psalmist contrasts this with the ultimate fate of the wicked, who will not prevail, as seen in the following verses. This theme of divine justice is a recurring motif in the Psalms, emphasizing the protection of the righteous by God.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 37:32 | Though the wicked lie in wait for the righteous, and seek to slay them, |
| 2 | 1 Samuel 18:21 | “I will give her to David,” Saul thought, “so that she may be a snare to him, and the hand of the Philistines may be against him.” So Saul said to David, “For a second time now you can be my son-in-law.” |
| 3 | 1 Samuel 23:7–9 | When Saul was told that David had gone to Keilah, he said, “God has delivered him into my hand, for he has trapped himself by entering a town with gates and bars.” |
| 4 | 2 Samuel 15:10–12 | Then Absalom sent spies throughout the tribes of Israel with this message: “When you hear the sound of the horn, you are to say, ‘Absalom reigns in Hebron!’” |
| 5 | Esther 3:6 | And when he learned the identity of Mordecai’s people, he scorned the notion of laying hands on Mordecai alone. Instead, he sought to destroy all of Mordecai’s people, the Jews, throughout the kingdom of Xerxes. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 9 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — זֹמֵ֣ם, zo.Memgenerated
The Hebrew word זָמַם (zamam) means to plan or devise, often with a negative connotation. It suggests a scheme that is typically harmful or evil in intent. The parsing indicates it is a participle in the active voice, masculine singular, meaning it describes an ongoing action by the wicked.
This word appears frequently in contexts where individuals are plotting against others, highlighting their malicious intent. The psalmist uses this term to depict the wicked's active role in devising evil against the righteous.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
Translations generally agree on the meaning of the verse.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The verse is structured around two main actions: the wicked plotting and gnashing their teeth. The finite verbs are זֹמֵ֣ם (is plotting) and חֹרֵ֖ק (is gnashing), which are linked by the conjunction וְ (and).
The subject of the first action is רָ֭שָׁע (the wicked), while the object of their plotting is לַצַּדִּ֑יק (the righteous). This structure emphasizes the active hostility of the wicked towards the righteous.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates זֹמֵ֣ם as παρατηρήσεται, suggesting a focus on observation or scrutiny rather than plotting. This choice may imply a different nuance, emphasizing the wicked's intent to watch and judge rather than actively scheme.
The translation of חֹרֵ֖ק as βρύχει maintains the idea of gnashing teeth, preserving the emotional intensity of the original Hebrew.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 37:12 shows how the wicked actively plot against the righteous and express their anger through gnashing their teeth. This verse highlights the conflict between good and evil, emphasizing the wicked's hostility towards those who do right.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It indicates that the wicked are actively planning harmful actions against those who are just and upright, demonstrating their contempt and hostility.
The following verses in Psalm 37 indicate that God sees the wicked's actions and will ultimately bring justice, as He laughs at their plans.
Gnashing teeth is a physical expression of anger and frustration, showing the wicked's contempt for the righteous and their inability to succeed in their schemes.
The verse encourages the righteous to remain steadfast, knowing that while the wicked may plot against them, they are ultimately under God's protection.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways have I seen people plot against those who do good?
- How can I respond to hostility or contempt directed at me for my beliefs?
- What does it mean for me to be considered righteous in my actions and character?
- How can I find comfort in God's justice when faced with opposition?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early Church Fathers comment on this verse, reflecting on the nature of the wicked and their hostility towards the righteous.
It follows: The sinner will observe the just and will gnash his teeth over him. But the Lord will deride him; for He sees that his day is coming.Early Church Fathers on Psalms 37 →
When the wicked person sees someone working on developing good character, he feels convinced that he is being indicted personally. He gnashes his teeth and becomes outraged.Early Church Fathers on Psalms 37 →
The way in which consolation is offered to us is amazing, for who should delight himself in the pompous display of one whose audacity he knows will soon perish? If we would rather not be disturbed by jealousy,Early Church Fathers on Psalms 37 →
Commentators on this verse — 6 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 37:12 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleThe wicked plotteth against the just,.... Forms schemes to make him uneasy, uncomfortable, and unhappy: and gnasheth upon him with his teeth: which expresses his malice and hatred, as David's enemies
Read John Gill on Psalms 37 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryThe wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 37 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 37:12 The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth.Ver. 12. The wicked plotteth against the just] Plotteth and practiseth, being set on by that old manslayer, who lendeth the wicked man his seven heads to plot, and his ten horns to push. And gnasheth upon him with his teeth] Saying unto him, when he hath laid hold on him, Nunc inveni te, as Kimchi paraphraseth, Now I have found you, and shall be even with you. Art thou come, thou villain? said Stephen Gardiner to Doctor Taylor, martyr, when he first appeared before him. How darest thou look me in the face for shame? Knowest thou not who I am? (Acts and Mon.) Thus that proud prelate, gnashing his teeth…
Read John Trapp on Psalms 37 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges12–20. Disappointment and destruction are the destiny of the wicked.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 37 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleThe wicked plotteth against the just - Margin, “practiceth.” The Hebrew word means to plot; to lie in wait; to plan; to purpose; to devise. See Psalms 31:13.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 37 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible12. Gnasheth upon him—In imitation of wild beasts. See on Psalms 35:16
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Psalms 37 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
The wicked scheme against the righteous and gnash their teeth at them,
The wicked plots against the just, and gnashes at him with his teeth.
The wicked scheme against the righteous and gnash their teeth at them,
Evil men plot against the godly and viciously attack them.
Tyndale line
The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth.
The wicked plotteth against the just, And gnasheth upon him with his teeth.
The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth.
The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth.
The wicked practiseth against the iust, and gnasheth his teeth against him.
Strictly literal
The wicked plotteth against the righteous, and gnasheth his teeth against him.
The wicked is devising against the righteous, And gnashing against him his teeth.
The wicked is devising against the righteous, || And gnashing his teeth against him.
The wicked purposeth evil against the just, and gnasheth against him with his teeth.
The wicked man plots against the righteous and he grinds his teeth in rage against him.
From the Latin
My friends and my neighbours have drawn near, and stood against me. And they that were near me stood afar off:
Simplified
The wicked plot evil against those who do good, gnashing their teeth at them.
The sinner has evil designs against the upright, lifting up the voice of wrath against him.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint largely agree on the wording of this verse, with five out of six words matching. The Septuagint's differences in word order reflect its own stylistic choices rather than a variation in meaning.
זֹמֵ֣ם רָ֭שָׁע לַצַּדִּ֑יק וְחֹרֵ֖ק עָלָ֣יו שִׁנָּֽיו׃
5 of the 6 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Psalms 37:12
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
זָמַם (zamam) is a Hebrew verb meaning to plan or devise, often with a negative connotation. It encompasses actions like considering, plotting, and imagining, particularly in the context of evil intent. The entries highlight its use in the Old Testament to denote harmful planning.
זָמַם vb. consider, purpose, devise
base
H2161 זָמַם consider, purpose, devise
2161 zamam zaw-mam'
a primitive root; to plan, usually in a bad sense:--consider,
devise, imagine, plot, purpose, think (evil).
זָמַם (za.mam) — to plan.
1) to have a thought, devise, plan, consider, purpose
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to consider, fix thought upon
1a2) to purpose, devise
1a3) to plot (of evil intent)
V-Qal — Verb · Qal · participle (active) masculine singularHVqrmsa
רָשָׁע (rasha`) refers to someone who is wicked or criminal, encompassing meanings such as guilty and ungodly. It is derived from a root that implies moral wrongdoing. The term is used to describe individuals who are hostile to God or guilty of sin against others.
רָשָׁע 263 adj. wicked, criminal
base
H7563 רָשָׁע wicked, criminal
7563 rasha` raw-shaw'
from 7561; morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad
person:--+ condemned, guilty, ungodly, wicked (man), that did
wrong.
see HEBREW for 07561
רָשָׁע (ra.sah) — wicked.
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)
Adj — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
צַדִּיק (tsaddiyq) means just or righteous, covering various aspects such as lawful behavior, moral conduct, and being justified by God. It is derived from a related root and is used to describe individuals who are upright in character and actions.
צַדִּיק 206 adj. just, righteous
base
H6662 צַדִּיק just, righteous
6662 tsaddiyq tsad-deek'
from 6663; just:--just, lawful, righteous (man).
see HEBREW for 06663
צַדִּיק (tsad.diq) — righteous.
1) just, lawful, righteous
1a) just, righteous (in government)
1b) just, right (in one's cause)
1c) just, righteous (in conduct and character)
1d) righteous (as justified and vindicated by God)
1e) right, correct, lawful
Prep | Adj — PrepositionHRd/Aamsa
The Hebrew word חָרַק (*charaq*) is a primitive root meaning to gnash or grind the teeth, primarily found in poetic contexts. The entries consistently emphasize its association with the act of grinding, particularly in relation to teeth.
חָרַק vb. gnash or grind the teeth, only poet.
base
H2786 חָרַק gnash or grind the teeth, only poet.
2786 charaq khaw-rak'
a primitive root; to grate the teeth:--gnash.
חָרַק (cha.raq) — to grind.
(Qal) to gnash, grind (the teeth)
Conj | V-Qal — Conjunction · verb qal participle (active) masculine singularHC/Vqrmsa
The Hebrew word עַל (*al*) is a preposition meaning 'upon' and encompasses a wide range of meanings, including 'on account of,' 'beside,' 'above,' and 'against.' It can indicate physical placement, emotional burdens, or duties imposed on a person. The entries also note its use in idiomatic expressions and with verbs of motion. There is a mention of its function as a conjunction in certain contexts.
כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as
base
עַל, עָ֑ל
subst. height
As prep. upon, and hence on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against
Upon, of the substratum upon which an object in any way rests, or on which an action is performed
—
of clothing, etc., which any one wears
With verbs of covering or protecting, even though the cover or veil be not over or above the thing covered, but around or before it
Of what rests heavily upon a person, or is a burden to him
Of a duty, payment, care, etc., imposed upon a person, or devolving on him
על is used idiom. to give pathos to the expression of an emotion, by emphasizing the person who is its subject, and who, as it were, feels it acting upon him
חָיָה עַל to live upon (as upon a foundation or support)
H5921a עַל, עָ֑ל . As prep. upon, and hence on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against . Upon, of the substratum upon which an object in any way rests, or on which an action is performed . — . of clothing, etc., which any one wears
. With verbs of covering or protecting, even though the cover or veil be not over or above the thing covered, but around or before it
. Of what rests heavily upon a person, or is a burden to him
. Of a duty, payment, care, etc., imposed upon a person, or devolving on him
. על is used idiom. to give pathos to the expression of an emotion, by emphasizing the person who is its subject, and who, as it were, feels it acting upon him
. חָיָה עַל to live upon (as upon a foundation or support)
5921 `al al
properly, the same as 5920 used as a preposition (in the
singular or plural often with prefix, or as conjunction with a
particle following); above, over, upon, or against (yet always
in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great
variety of applications (as follow):--above, according
to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, X as, at, because
of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, X both
and, by (reason of), X had the charge of, concerning for, in
(that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-)on, over, than,
through(-out), to, touching, X with.
see HEBREW for 05920
עַל (al) — upon.
prep
1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against
1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards
1b) above, beyond, over (of excess)
1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence)
1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition)
1e) over (of suspension or extension)
1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity)
1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion)
1h) to (as a dative)
[כִּי] עַל [כֵּן] ([ki] al [ken]) — as.
conj
Prep | Suff — Preposition · suffixHR/Sp3ms
The Hebrew word שֵׁן (shen) primarily means 'tooth' and can also refer to 'ivory.' It is derived from the root associated with sharpness, and it can figuratively denote a cliff or crag. The entries highlight various contexts, including its use in legal terms (lex talionis) and as a material in commerce.
שֵׁן n.f. tooth, ivory
base
H8127 שֵׁן tooth, ivory
8127 shen shane
from 8150; a tooth (as sharp); specifically (for 8143) ivory;
figuratively, a cliff:--crag, X forefront, ivory, X sharp,
tooth.
see HEBREW for 08150
see HEBREW for 08143
שֵׁן (shen) — tooth.
: tooth
1) tooth, ivory
1a) tooth
1a1) of man, lex talionis, beast
1b) tooth, tine (of fork)
1c) ivory
1c1) as material
1c2) of commerce
1d) sharp pointed rock
שֵׁן (shen) — tooth: ivory.
: ivory
1) tooth, ivory
1a) tooth
1a1) of man, lex talionis, beast
1b) tooth, tine (of fork)
1c) ivory
1c1) as material
1c2) of commerce
1d) sharp pointed rock
שֵׁן (shen) — tooth: crag.
: crag
1) tooth, ivory
1a) tooth
1a1) of man, lex talionis, beast
1b) tooth, tine (of fork)
1c) ivory
1c1) as material
1c2) of commerce
1d) sharp pointed rock
שֵׁן (shen) — tooth: prong.
: prong
1) tooth, ivory
1a) tooth
1a1) of man, lex talionis, beast
1b) tooth, tine (of fork)
1c) ivory
1c1) as material
1c2) of commerce
1d) sharp pointed rock
N-cd | Suff — Noun common feminine dual construct · suffixHNcfdc/Sp3ms