Psalms 37:38 — Word Study
WLCוּֽ֭פֹשְׁעִים נִשְׁמְד֣וּ יַחְדָּ֑ו אַחֲרִ֖ית רְשָׁעִ֣ים נִכְרָֽתָה׃
BSA◂But the transgressorspâshaʻ [those who rebel against God, sinners] will allyachad be destroyedshâmad■ [annihilated, cut off from existence] the futureʼachărîyth [end, latter days] of the wickedrâshâʻ [morally wrong, guilty of sin] will be cut offkârath■ [removed, eliminated, destroyed]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וּֽ֭פֹשְׁעִים | and transgressors | Conjunction, verb qal participle (active) masculine plural |
| נִשְׁמְד֣וּ | they will be destroyed | Verb, Niphal, perfect third person common plural |
| יַחְדָּ֑ו | altogether | Adverb |
| אַחֲרִ֖ית | [the] future of | Noun common, feminine singular construct |
| רְשָׁעִ֣ים | wicked [people] | Noun common, masculine plural absolute |
| נִכְרָֽתָה׃ | it will be cut off | Verb, Niphal, perfect third person feminine singular |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | But the transgressors will all be destroyed; the future of the wicked will be cut off. |
| KJV | But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off. |
| ASV | As for transgressors, they shall be destroyed together: The end of the wicked shall be cut off. |
| YLT | And transgressors were destroyed together, The latter end of the wicked was cut off. |
| WEB | As for transgressors, they shall be destroyed together. The future of the wicked shall be cut off. |
| BBE | But as for the sinners, they will be cut off together; the end of the wrongdoers is destruction. |
The translations agree on the meaning of the verse, emphasizing the destruction of the transgressors and the cutting off of the wicked's future.
The sentence is structured with a main clause followed by supporting phrases that clarify the fate of the wicked.
7 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
subjectפָּשַׁע
verbשָׁמַד
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 37:38
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 Fate of the Wickedgenerated
Psalm 37:38 contrasts the fate of the righteous with that of the wicked. The psalmist encourages the reader to observe the outcomes of both groups, emphasizing that while the righteous will be preserved, the transgressors will face destruction. This theme is echoed throughout the psalm, which reflects on trust in the Lord amidst the apparent prosperity of the wicked.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 1:4–6 | Not so the wicked! For they are like chaff driven off by the wind. |
| 2 | Psalm 9:17 | The wicked will return to Sheol— all the nations who forget God. |
| 3 | Psalm 52:5 | Surely God will bring you down to everlasting ruin; He will snatch you up and tear you away from your tent; He will uproot you from the land of the living. Selah |
| 4 | Proverbs 14:32 | The wicked man is thrown down by his own sin, but the righteous man has a refuge even in death. |
| 5 | Matthew 13:30–49 | Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat into my barn.’” |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 7 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — פָּשַׁע, U.fo.she.'imgenerated
The word פָּשַׁע (pasha`) is a verb that means to rebel or transgress, indicating a break from authority. It suggests intentional disobedience, as seen in contexts like Psalm 51:1. The parsing as a participle shows that the transgressors are actively engaged in rebellion against God.
This term encompasses actions like revolt and apostasy, highlighting the seriousness of their sins. The frequency of its occurrence in the Hebrew Bible underscores its significance in discussions of sin and guilt.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
Translations of this verse generally agree on the meaning, with all versions recognizing the destruction of transgressors and the cutting off of the wicked's future.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The verse contains two main clauses connected by a conjunction. The first clause focuses on the fate of the transgressors, with the finite verb נִשְׁמְד֣וּ (they will be destroyed) as its core. The second clause speaks to the future of the wicked, using the verb נִכְרָֽתָה (it will be cut off).
The structure emphasizes the certainty of destruction for both groups, with the adverb יַחְדָּ֑ו (altogether) reinforcing the idea of collective fate among the transgressors.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, the Hebrew term פָּשַׁע is rendered as παράνομοι, which carries a similar meaning of lawlessness or transgression. This choice reflects the Greek translators' understanding of the moral implications of rebellion against God's law.
The use of ἐχολεθρευθήσονται for destruction suggests an emphasis on complete annihilation, aligning with the Hebrew notion of total destruction.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 37:38 tells us that those who rebel against God will be destroyed, while the future of the wicked will be cut off. This verse highlights the certainty of their fate compared to the preservation of the righteous.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It means that those who rebel against God will face annihilation, indicating a complete end to their existence.
This verse fits within the broader theme of Psalm 37, which contrasts the outcomes of the righteous and the wicked, emphasizing that while the wicked may seem to prosper, their ultimate fate is destruction.
The term 'future' indicates the eventual outcome or end of the wicked, suggesting that their current state will not last and will ultimately lead to their demise.
This verse can encourage believers by reminding them that God will ultimately bring justice and that the fate of the wicked is certain, providing hope for the righteous.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways do I see rebellion against God in today's world, and how does this verse speak to that?
- How can I encourage others to remain steadfast in their faith, knowing the fate of the wicked?
- What actions can I take to align myself more closely with the path of the righteous?
- How does understanding the fate of the wicked impact my view of justice and mercy in my own life?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early Church Fathers comment on the fate of the wicked as described in this verse, highlighting the certainty of their destruction.
But the unjust will perish together; the remnants of the wicked will be destroyed. The remnants of the righteous are virtues; the remnants of the wicked are wickedness and the sin of treachery.Early Church Fathers on Psalms 37 →
"But the transgressors shall be destroyed in the self-same thing" [Psalms 37:38].Early Church Fathers on Psalms 37 →
The wicked will perish when salvation comes to the just from God, their protector in time of tribulation. The Lord helps and frees them and snatches them from sinners and saves them since they hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.Early Church Fathers on Psalms 37 →
Commentators on this verse — 7 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 37:38 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleBut the transgressors shall be destroyed together,.... This is to be understood of obstinate and continued transgressors, who live and die in their transgressions; see Proverbs 11:3; otherwise all
Read John Gill on Psalms 37 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryMark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace. Mark ... (man) ... for the end of (that) man (is) peace.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 37 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleTogether; or, alike, one as well as another; all, without any exception or respect of persons. The end of the wicked shall be cut off, i. e. he shall be cut off at last, or in the end. His prosperity shall end in destruction. Or, the posterity of the wicked, &c.
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 37 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 37:38 But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off.Ver. 38. But the transgressors, &c.] Here the end is worse than the beginning. Sin ever ends tragically. The end of the wicked shall be cut off] Their end is not death, but destruction; they are killed with death, Revelation 2:23, life and hope end together.
Read John Trapp on Psalms 37 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges38. But transgressors are destroyed together: The posterity of the wicked is cut off. Cp. Psalms 37:28; Psalms 109:13; Job 18:13-21. To the Israelite, with his strong sense of the continuity of life in the family, childlessness or the loss of posterity was a virtual annihilation. In the light of N.T. revelation the contrast between the ‘after’ of the righteous and the wicked is still more solemn and significant.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 37 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleBut the transgressors - Sinners; violators of the law of God.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 37 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible38. But—The sharp disjunctive sense of vauv, (å, but,) which the antithesis requires, brings out the latter end of the wicked in contrast with that of the righteous.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon 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
But the transgressors will all be destroyed; the future of the wicked will be cut off.
As for transgressors, they shall be destroyed together. The future of the wicked shall be cut off.
But the transgressors will all be destroyed; the future of the wicked will be cut off.
Sinful rebels are totally destroyed; evil men have no future.
Tyndale line
But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off.
As for transgressors, they shall be destroyed together: The end of the wicked shall be cut off.
As for transgressors, they shall be destroyed together: the latter end of the wicked shall be cut off.
But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off.
But the transgressours shall be destroyed together, and the ende of the wicked shall bee cut off.
Strictly literal
but the transgressors shall be destroyed together; the future of the wicked shall be cut off.
And transgressors were destroyed together, The latter end of the wicked was cut off.
And transgressors were destroyed together, || The latter end of the wicked was cut off.
But the transgressors are destroyed together: the future of the wicked is cut off.
Sinners will be totally destroyed; the future for the wicked man is cut off.
Simplified
But those who are rebellious will be altogether destroyed; the wicked have no future.
But as for the sinners, they will be cut off together; the end of the wrongdoers is destruction.
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 content of this verse, with four out of six words matching. The Septuagint's word order and specific articles differ, but the essential message about the fate of the wicked remains consistent.
וּֽ֭פֹשְׁעִים נִשְׁמְד֣וּ יַחְדָּ֑ו אַחֲרִ֖ית רְשָׁעִ֣ים נִכְרָֽתָה׃
4 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 37:38
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.
פָּשַׁע (pasha`) means to rebel or transgress, indicating a break from authority. It encompasses actions like revolt and apostasy, and can also refer to being offended in a relational context. The term appears in various forms, including Qal and Niphal, suggesting both active rebellion and passive offense.
פָּשַׁע vb. rebel, transgress
Qal
rebel, revolt, of nations
transgress against
Niph. a brother (who has been) offended
base
H6586 פָּשַׁע rebel, transgress
6586 pasha` paw-shah'
a primitive root (identical with 6585 through the idea of
expansion); to break away (from just authority), i.e.
trespass, apostatize, quarrel:--offend, rebel, revolt,
transgress(-ion, -or).
see HEBREW for 06585
פָּשַׁע (pa.sah) — to transgress.
1) to rebel, transgress, revolt
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to rebel, revolt
1a2) to transgress
1b) (Niphal) to be rebelled against
Conj | V-Qal — Conjunction · verb qal participle (active) masculine pluralHC/Vqrmpa
שָׁמַד (shamad) is a Hebrew verb meaning to destroy or exterminate. It has forms in both the Niph'al, indicating being destroyed, and the Hiph'il, indicating the act of destroying. The entries emphasize its use in contexts of annihilation and devastation, with a focus on complete destruction.
[שָׁמַד] 90 vb. Niph. be exterminated, destroyed
Hiph. 69
annihilate, exterminate
destroy
base
H8045 [שָׁמַד] Niph. be exterminated, destroyed
8045 shamad shaw-mad'
a primitive root; to desolate:--destory(- uction), bring to
nought, overthrow, perish, pluck down, X utterly.
שָׁמַד (sha.mad) — to destroy.
1) to destroy, exterminate, be destroyed, be exterminated
1a) (Niphal)
1a1) to be annihilated, be exterminated
1a2) to be destroyed, be devastated
1b) (Hiphil)
1b1) to annihilate, exterminate
1b2) to destroy
Aramaic equivalent: she.mad (שְׁמַד "to destroy" H8046)
V-Niphal-Perf-3cp — Verb · Niphal · perfect third person common pluralHVNp3cp
יַ֫חַד (yachad) refers to the concept of unitedness or being together. It can function as a noun meaning 'unitedness' and as an adverb meaning 'together.' The word is built from a root that emphasizes unity and is used in various contexts in the Old Testament.
יַ֫חַד 45 n.[m.] unitedness
as subst.
elsewhere always in acc. as adv. in union, together
base
יָחְדָּו 92 adv. together
base
H3162a יַ֫חַד unitedness . as subst.
. elsewhere always in acc. as adv. in union, together
H3162b יָחְדָּו adv. together
3162 yachad yakh'-ad
from 3161; properly, a unit, i.e. (adverb) unitedly:--alike,
at all (once), both, likewise, only, (al-)together, withal.
see HEBREW for 03161
יַ֫חַד (ya.chad) — unitedness.
1) union, unitedness
יָחְדָּו (yach.dav) — together.
adv
together
Adv — AdverbHD
ol-too-geth'-er: Representing five Hebrew and three Greek originals, which variously signify
(1) "together"; i.e. all, e.g. `all men, high and low, weighed together in God's balance are lighter than vanity' (Ps 62:9); so also Ps 53:3; Jer 10:8.
(2) "all": so the Revised Version (British and American), Isa 10:8: "Are not my princes all of them kings?"
אַחֲרִית (achariyth) means 'end' or 'after-part' and encompasses concepts like the future, posterity, and remnants. It can refer to the last time or the latter part of events, often with prophetic implications. The word is derived from a root meaning 'to be behind' and is noted in various contexts, including discussions of time and lineage.
אַחֲרִית 61 n.f. after-part, end
base
H319 אַחֲרִית after-part, end
319 'achariyth akh-ar-eeth'
from 310; the last or end, hence, the future; also
posterity:--(last, latter) end (time), hinder (utter) -most,
length, posterity, remnant, residue, reward.
see HEBREW for 0310
אַחֲרִית (a.cha.rit) — end.
1) after part, end
1a) end, issue, event
1b) latter time (prophetic for future time)
1c) posterity
1d) last, hindermost
Aramaic equivalent: a.cha.rit (אַחֲרִית "latter" H0320)
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular constructHNcfsc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
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 plural absoluteHNcmpa
כָּרַת (karath) is a Hebrew verb meaning to cut off, cut down, or make a covenant. It encompasses a range of actions from physically cutting to forming alliances, often implying destruction or elimination. The verb appears in various forms, indicating different nuances such as being cut off or destroyed. Notably, it can also refer to the act of making a covenant, which traditionally involved cutting flesh.
כָּרַת 291 vb. cut off, cut down
Qal
cut off
cut down
hew, timber
cut, or make a covenant
Niph.
be cut off
be cut down
be chewed between the teeth
be cut off, in a more general sense fail
Pual
be cut off
be cut down
Hiph.
cut off, flattering lips
cut off, destroy the life of
cut down, destroy, cities
take away
permit to perish
base
H3772 כָּרַת cut off, cut down .. cut off
. cut down
. hew, timber
. cut, or make a covenant
. . be cut off
. be cut down
. be chewed between the teeth
. be cut off, in a more general sense fail
.. be cut off
. be cut down
. . cut off, flattering lips
. cut off, destroy the life of
. cut down, destroy, cities
. take away
. permit to perish
3772 karath kaw-rath'
a primitive root; to cut (off, down or asunder); by
implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant
(i.e. make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutting flesh
and passing between the pieces):--be chewed, be
con-(feder-)ate, covenant, cut (down, off), destroy, fail,
feller, be freed, hew (down), make a league ((covenant)), X
lose, perish, X utterly, X want.
כָּרַת (ka.rat) — to cut: cut.
: cut/fell
1) to cut, cut off, cut down, cut off a body part, cut out, eliminate, kill, cut a covenant
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to cut off
1a1a) to cut off a body part, behead
1a2) to cut down
1a3) to hew
1a4) to cut or make a covenant
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be cut off
1b2) to be cut down
1b3) to be chewed
1b4) to be cut off, fail
1c) (Pual)
1c1) to be cut off
1c2) to be cut down
1d) (Hiphil)
1d1) to cut off
1d2) to cut off, destroy
1d3) to cut down, destroy
1d4) to take away
1d5) to permit to perish
1e) (Hophal) cut off
כָּרַת (ka.rat) — to cut: make(covenant).
: make(covenant)
1) to cut, cut off, cut down, cut off a body part, cut out, eliminate, kill, cut a covenant
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to cut off
1a1a) to cut off a body part, behead
1a2) to cut down
1a3) to hew
1a4) to cut or make a covenant
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be cut off
1b2) to be cut down
1b3) to be chewed
1b4) to be cut off, fail
V-Niphal-Perf-3fs — Verb · Niphal · perfect third person feminine singularHVNp3fs