Bible Strands
Psalms 37:27
Turn away from evil and do good, so that you will abide forever.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The psalmist addresses the community of believers within a discourse contrasting the enduring prosperity of the righteous with the sudden judgment of the wicked. The instruction functions as the practical conclusion to the preceding description of righteous generosity and the following declaration of God’s justice.
The words — The Hebrew imperative ס֣וּר (sur) commands a decisive turning from רָע (ra'), coupled with עֲשֵׂה (‘aseh) to actively pursue טוֹב (tov), culminating in the promise to שְׁכֹן (shekon) לְעוֹלָם (le‘olam).
The thread — The phrasing aligns with the parallel commands found in Psalms 34:14 and Proverbs 16:6, while 1 Thessalonians 5:15 extends the ethical trajectory by explicitly forbidding retaliation and commanding the pursuit of good for all people.
Why it lands — The text demands a concrete reorientation of behavior away from harmful actions and toward constructive ones as the condition for permanent stability. Readers are asked to recognize that enduring security depends on active moral alignment rather than passive belief.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore.
Cross-references
- Psalms 34:14 Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.
- Proverbs 16:6 By loving devotion and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the LORD one turns aside from evil.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:15 Make sure that no one repays evil for evil. Always pursue what is good for one another and for all people.
- 1 John 2:16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not from the Father but from the world.
- Hebrews 13:16 And do not neglect to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
- 2 Timothy 2:19 Nevertheless, God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord must turn away from iniquity.”
- Titus 2:11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to everyone.
- Hebrews 13:21 equip you with every good thing to do His will. And may He accomplish in us what is pleasing in His sight through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
- Job 28:28 And He said to man, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.’”
- Isaiah 1:16 Wash and cleanse yourselves. Remove your evil deeds from My sight. Stop doing evil!