Psalms 37:32 — Word Study
WLCצוֹפֶ֣ה רָ֭שָׁע לַצַּדִּ֑יק וּ֝מְבַקֵּ֗שׁ לַהֲמִיתוֹ׃
BSAThough the wickedrâshâʻ [morally wrong, guilty of sin] lie in waittsâphâh [watching, observing] for the righteoustsaddîyq [just, made right with God] and seekbâqash [search for, intend to] to slay themmûwth [kill, put to death, the upright, those who do good]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| צוֹפֶ֣ה | [is] watching | Verb, Qal, participle (active) masculine singular |
| רָ֭שָׁע | a wicked [person] | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| לַצַּדִּ֑יק | for righteous [person] | Preposition |
| וּ֝מְבַקֵּ֗שׁ | and [is] seeking | Conjunction, verb piel participle (active) masculine singular |
| לַהֲמִיתוֹ׃ | to kill him | Preposition, verb hiphil infinitive construct common, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Though the wicked lie in wait for the righteous, and seek to slay them, |
| KJV | The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him. |
| ASV | The wicked watcheth the righteous, And seeketh to slay him. |
| YLT | The wicked is watching for the righteous, And is seeking to put him to death. |
| WEB | The wicked watch the righteous, and seek to kill him. |
| BBE | The sinners are watching the upright man, desiring to put him to death. |
Where they part company is צוֹפֶ֣ה — see How Translations Differ.
The sentence begins with a main clause followed by a prepositional phrase and an additional clause, emphasizing the actions of the wicked.
6 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
subjectרָשָׁע
verbצָפָה
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 37:32
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 of the Wicked and the Righteousgenerated
Psalm 37:32 reflects on the wicked who lie in wait for the righteous, illustrating a theme of divine justice and protection. The surrounding verses emphasize the steadfastness of the righteous and the ultimate fate of the wicked, encouraging trust in the Lord's deliverance.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 37:12 | The wicked scheme against the righteous and gnash their teeth at them, |
| 2 | Psalm 10:8–10 | He lies in wait near the villages; in ambush he slays the innocent; his eyes watch in stealth for the helpless. |
| 3 | Jeremiah 20:10 | For I have heard the whispering of many: “Terror is on every side! Report him; let us report him!” All my trusted friends watch for my fall: “Perhaps he will be deceived so that we may prevail against him and take our vengeance upon him.” |
| 4 | Luke 6:7 | Looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, the scribes and Pharisees were watching Him closely to see if He would heal on the Sabbath. |
| 5 | Luke 11:54 | waiting to catch Him in something He might say. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 9 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — צוֹפֶ֣ה, tzo.Pehgenerated
The word צוֹפֶ֣ה (tsoph) is a participle meaning 'watching' or 'observing'. It is derived from a root that implies leaning forward to see into the distance, suggesting a sense of vigilance or guard duty.
In this verse, it describes the wicked who are actively watching and waiting to harm the righteous. This participial form emphasizes their ongoing and intentional actions against those who are just.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb is צוֹפֶ֣ה, is watching, with two clauses dependent on it: one describing the wicked and the other detailing their intent to kill the righteous.
The structure highlights the actions of the wicked, with the subject רָ֭שָׁע (the wicked) clearly identified, followed by their actions and intentions.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates צוֹפֶ֣ה as κατανοεῖ (katanoei), meaning 'to observe' or 'to perceive'. This choice emphasizes a deeper understanding of the wicked's intent beyond mere observation.
This translation indicates a more interpretive approach, suggesting that the wicked are not just watching but are also perceiving the actions of the righteous with malicious intent.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 37:32 tells us that the wicked are watching the righteous, intending to harm them. This reflects a common theme in the Psalms, where the fate of the righteous is contrasted with the actions of the wicked, highlighting God's protection over those who do right.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It means that the wicked are actively observing and planning to harm the righteous, indicating their malicious intent.
This verse illustrates the conflict between the wicked and the righteous, emphasizing that while the wicked may plot, God ultimately protects the righteous.
The term 'righteous' refers to those who are just and in right standing with God, contrasting with the wicked who act against God's ways.
This verse encourages believers to trust in God's protection and justice, even when facing opposition from those who do wrong.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways do I see the wickedness of the world today, and how can I remain steadfast like the righteous?
- How can I be vigilant in my own life to avoid falling into wickedness?
- What steps can I take to support those who are being wronged or persecuted?
- How does knowing that God protects the righteous affect my daily decisions and interactions?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early commentators like Ambrose of Milan reflect on this verse to discuss the nature of the wicked and their plots against the righteous.
The more righteous someone is, the more their enemy plots against them; and therefore Scripture says: The sinner considers the just person and seeks to destroy them.Early Church Fathers on Psalms 37 →
The sinner cannot stand the just person who speaks wisdom with his mouth and meditates on it in his heart. He sees this one keeping the law of the Lord in his heart, and he does all in his power to make him sin mortally.Early Church Fathers on Psalms 37 →
Commentators on this verse — 6 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 37:32 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleThe wicked watcheth the righteous,.... All his motions and steps, his works and actions; he watches for his halting, and to take all opportunities and advantages against him; see Jeremiah 20:10; and
Read John Gill on Psalms 37 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryThe wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him. The wicked - (Luke 11:53-54; Psalms 10:8.) The Lord will not leave ... The question at issue between the wicked and the righteous is as a
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 37 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleWatcheth, to find out a fit season or occasion to destroy him.
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 37 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 37:32 The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him.Ver. 32. The wicked wateheth the righteous] See Psalms 10:8-10, Speculatur, he accurately observeth, looking this way and that, as a watchman in a watch tower. Thus Saul eyed David, and laid out for him. Thus Jeroboam watched those of the ten tribes that went to Jerusalem to worship, he watched them, and waylaid them, Hosea 5:1. And seeketh to slay him] All malice is bloody, and there want not those still that carry about Cain’ s bloody club, hating to the death that goodness in another that they neglect in themselves.
Read John Trapp on Psalms 37 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 32. The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him.] Similar to what is said Psalms 37:8: "The wicked plotteth against the righteous." But it is added, Psalms 37:33: "The Lord will not leave him in his hands;" he will confound his devices, and save his own servants.
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 37 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleThe wicked watcheth the righteous ... - Observes closely; looks out for him; has his eye on him, seeking an opportunity to slay him. See the notes at Psalms 10:8-9.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 37 →The verse in English, compared — 16 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
Though the wicked lie in wait for the righteous, and seek to slay them,
The wicked watch the righteous, and seek to kill him.
Though the wicked lie in wait for the righteous, and seek to slay them,
Evil men set an ambush for the godly and try to kill them.
Tyndale line
The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him.
The wicked watcheth the righteous, And seeketh to slay him.
The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him.
The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him.
The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him.
Strictly literal
The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him:
The wicked is watching for the righteous, And is seeking to put him to death.
The wicked is watching for the righteous, || And is seeking to put him to death.
The wicked looketh out for the righteous, and seeketh to slay him.
The wicked person watches the righteous person and seeks to kill him.
Simplified
The wicked lie in wait for those who do good, intending to kill them.
The sinners are watching the upright man, desiring to put him to death.
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 in this verse, with four out of five words matched. The Septuagint's wording reflects a similar meaning but may differ in structure and emphasis.
צוֹפֶ֣ה רָ֭שָׁע לַצַּדִּ֑יק וּ֝מְבַקֵּ֗שׁ לַהֲמִיתוֹ׃
4 of the 5 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 37:32
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.
צָפָה (tsaphah) is a Hebrew verb meaning to look out, spy, or keep watch. It is built from a primitive root implying leaning forward to observe or await. The word covers a range of meanings including to behold, espy, and watch closely. In the Old Testament, it can also refer to a watchman.
[צָפָה] 37 vb. look out or about, spy, keep watch
Qal 28 keep watch; elsewh. as subst. watchman
Pi. watch (closely); pt. as n. = watchman
base
H6822 צָפָה look out or about, spy, keep watch
6822 tsaphah tsaw-faw'
a primitive root; properly, to lean forward, i.e. to peer
into the distance; by implication, to observe, await:--
behold, espy, look up (well), wait for, (keep the)
watch(-man).
צָפָה (tsa.phah) — to watch.
1) to look out or about, spy, keep watch, observe, watch
1a)(Qal) to keep watch, spy
1b) (Piel) to watch, watch closely
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
בָּקַשׁ (baqash) is a Hebrew verb meaning to seek or search out, often in the context of worship or prayer. It encompasses a range of actions including asking, desiring, and requiring. The verb can appear in different forms, such as Piel and Pual, indicating various nuances of seeking or being sought.
[בָּקַשׁ] 224 vb. seek
Pi.
seek to find
seek to secure
seek the face
desire, demand
require, exact
exact equivalent or penalty for
(late) ask, request
Pu. be sought
base
H1245 בָּקַשׁ seek
1245 baqash baw-kash'
a primitive root; to search out (by any method, specifically
in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after:--ask,
beg, beseech, desire, enquire, get, make inquisition, procure,
(make) request, require, seek (for).
בָּקַשׁ (ba.qash) — to seek.
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
Conj | V-Piel — Conjunction · verb piel participle (active) masculine singularHC/Vprmsa
מוּת (mūth) is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to die' or 'to kill.' It encompasses a range of meanings from dying naturally to being executed as a penalty. The word can refer to both humans and animals, and it includes various forms such as causing death or being killed. There is a distinction in usage based on the subject, whether it is a person or God inflicting death.
מוּת vb. die
Qal
die, of natural or other causes
die as a penalty = be put to death
Po‛lel. kill, put to death, despatch (intens.)
Hiph.
abs., elsewhere c. acc., subj. man
subj. God, by inflicting penalty
of animals killing men
bring to a premature death
Hoph. be killed, put to death
base
H4191 מוּת die .. die, of natural or other causes
. die as a penalty = be put to death
. kill, put to death, despatch (intens.)
. . abs., elsewhere c. acc., subj. man
. subj. God, by inflicting penalty
. of animals killing men
. bring to a premature death
. be killed, put to death
4191 muwth mooth
a primitive root: to die (literally or figuratively);
causatively, to kill:--X at all, X crying, (be) dead (body,
man, one), (put to, worthy of) death, destroy(-er), (cause to,
be like to, must) die, kill, necro(-mancer), X must needs,
slay, X surely, X very suddenly, X in (no) wise.
מוּת (mut) — to die.
1) to die, kill, have one executed
1a)(Qal)
1a1) to die
1a2) to die (as penalty), be put to death
1a3) to die, perish (of a nation)
1a4) to die prematurely (by neglect of wise moral conduct)
1b) (Polel) to kill, put to death, dispatch
1c) (Hiphil) to kill, put to death
1d) (Hophal)
1d1) to be killed, be put to death
1d1a) to die prematurely
Prep | V-Hiphil-Inf-a | Suff — Preposition · verb hiphil infinitive construct common · suffixHR/Vhcc/Sp3ms