Bible Strands
Psalms 37:28
For the LORD loves justice and will not forsake His saints. They are preserved forever, but the offspring of the wicked will be cut off.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The psalmist addresses Israel, contrasting the enduring fate of the faithful with the temporary prosperity of the wicked. The speaker grounds this exhortation in God’s character rather than immediate circumstances.
The words — The Hebrew verb אֹהֵב ('ohev) denotes God’s covenantal commitment to justice, while יַעֲזֹב (ya'azov) literally means "he will abandon," negated to affirm His perpetual preservation of the חֲסִידָיו (chasidav), or "faithful ones."
The thread — This theme of divine preservation for the righteous and judgment on the wicked recurs in Proverbs 2:22, Psalms 11:7, and Psalms 21:10. Each reference reinforces the pattern that God’s justice ultimately determines inheritance and exclusion.
Why it lands — The text demands a reader to align daily conduct with God’s justice rather than pursue immediate gain. It requires trusting that faithfulness yields permanent security while rebellion yields permanent exclusion.
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
For the Lord loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.
Cross-references
- Proverbs 2:22 but the wicked will be cut off from the land, and the unfaithful will be uprooted.
- Psalms 11:7 For the LORD is righteous; He loves justice. The upright will see His face.
- Psalms 21:10 You will wipe their descendants from the earth, and their offspring from the sons of men.
- Isaiah 59:21 “As for Me, this is My covenant with them,” says the LORD. “My Spirit will not depart from you, and My words that I have put in your mouth will not depart from your mouth or from the mouths of your children and grandchildren, from now on and forevermore,” says the LORD.
- Job 27:14 Though his sons are many, they are destined for the sword; and his offspring will never have enough food.
- Isaiah 14:20 You will not join them in burial, since you have destroyed your land and slaughtered your own people. The offspring of the wicked will never again be mentioned.
- Isaiah 61:8 For I, the LORD, love justice; I hate robbery and iniquity; in My faithfulness I will give them their recompense and make an everlasting covenant with them.
- 1 Peter 1:5 who through faith are shielded by God’s power for the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.
- Jude 1:1 Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James, To those who are called, loved by God the Father, and kept in Jesus Christ:
- Psalms 37:40 The LORD helps and delivers them; He rescues and saves them from the wicked, because they take refuge in Him.