Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 37:18
The LORD knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be forever.
18. Jehovah knoweth, and the Omniscient is also the All-Sovereign (see on Psa 1:6), the days of the perfect: each fraction of the lives of those who are devoted to Him (see on Psa 15:2), with all that it brings. Cp. my times (Psa 31:15); Mat 6:8.
and their inheritance shall be for ever ] The righteous man lives in his posterity, who continue in possession of the ancestral inheritance, while the posterity of the wicked perish ( Psa 37:28 ; Psa 37:38; Psa 34:16). The Psalmist’s view is still limited to earth (cp. Psa 37:19). The eternal inheritance reserved in heaven is beyond his horizon.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
18, 19. Stanza of Yd. Jehovah’s care for the godly.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
The Lord knoweth the days of the upright – See the notes at Psa 1:6. He knows how long they will live, and all that will happen to them. He sees their whole course of life; he sees the end. It is implied here that his eyes are on all the allotted days of their life; on all that has been ordained for them in the whole course of their life; and that nothing can shorten the days appointed to them. The wicked expect to live, hope to live, make their arrangements to live; but their eyes cannot rest on the future, and they cannot see the end – cannot tell precisely when they will be cut off. Some unexpected calamity – something which they cannot foresee – may come upon them, and cut short their days long before the expected thee; but this cannot happen in respect to Him whose eyes are on the righteous. Nothing can prevent their reaching the thee which he has fixed as the termination of their lives.
And their inheritance shall be forever – Shall be permanent, enduring. Perhaps all that was implied in tiffs language, as it was used by the psalmist, was that they would continue, or would not be cut off as the wicked are; that is, that righteousness would contribute to length of days upon the earth (compare Psa 37:9); yet the language suggests a higher idea, and is applicable to the righteous in respect to the promise that they will be put in everlasting possession of that which they inherit from God; that is, that they will be literally blessed forever. They will have a sure inheritance on earth, and it will endure to all eternity in another world.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Psa 37:18
The Lord knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be for ever.
The portion of the upright
I. The persons spoken of–the upright, a character equally rare and excellent.
II. The period–their days. These are known of God. He knows them kindly and graciously, and will make them all work together for good. How varied are their days: days of affliction, of danger, etc. But He knows them all.
III. The portion–their inheritance shall be for ever. So was not the inheritance of many of the angels in heaven; nor of Adam in Paradise; nor of the Jews in Canaan; nor of the man of this world. But the Christian inheritance is for ever. In the world we may have many losses, but they cannot affect our state. (W. Jay.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 18. The Lord knoweth the days of the upright] He is acquainted with all his circumstances, severings, and ability to bear them; and he will either shorten his trials or increase his power. The Lord also approves of the man and his concerns; and his inheritance shall be for ever. He shall have God for his portion, here and hereafter. This is probably another indirect promise to the captives that they shall be restored to their own land. See Ps 37:11.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Knoweth; observeth with singular care and affection
The days of the upright, i.e. their condition, and all things which do or may befall them, their dangers and fears, and suffering from ungodly men; and therefore will watch over them, and preserve them from all the designs and attempts of their enemies.
Days, or years, or times are oft put for things done or events happening in them, as Deu 32:7; Psa 31:15; 77:5; 143:5; Isa 63:11.
Their inheritance shall be for ever; to them and their seed for ever: compare Psa 37:29. And when they die, their inheritance is not lost, but exchanged for one infinitely better.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
18, 19. God, who knows Hispeople’s changes, provides against evil and supplies all their need.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
The Lord knoweth the days of the upright,…. Not only how long they shall live, and so fill up their days, the number of them, as Aben Ezra interprets it; but the nature of their days, whether prosperous or adverse; and causes both to work together for their good; and he knows the work of their days, as Jarchi explains it, the actions done by them in faith and love, and to his honour and glory, and which he approves and accepts of in Christ; see Ps 1:6;
and their inheritance shall be for ever; in heaven, which is an eternal and never fading one, Heb 9:15; and therefore they ought not to fret and be envious.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
The life of those who love Jahve with the whole heart is, with all its vicissitudes, an object of His loving regard and of His observant providential care, Psa 1:6; Psa 31:8, cf. Psa 16:1-11. He neither suffers His own to lose their heritage nor to be themselves lost to it. The is not as yet thought of as extending into the future world, as in the New Testament. In Psa 37:19 the surviving refers only to this present life.
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
18 Jehovah knoweth the days of the upright (34) It is not without good reason that David so frequently inculcates this doctrine, that the righteous are blessed because God provides for their necessities. We see how prone the minds of men are to distrust, and how much they are vexed by an excess of cares and anxieties from which they are unable to extricate themselves, while, on the other hand, they fall into another error in being more anxious regarding the future than there is any reason for; and yet, however active and industrious in the formation of their plans, they are often disappointed in their expectations, and not unfrequently fail altogether of success. Nothing, therefore, is more profitable for us than to have our eyes continually set upon the providence of God, which alone can best provide for us every thing we need. On this account, David now says, that God knoweth the days of the righteous; that is to say, he is not ignorant of the dangers to which they are exposed, and the help which they need. This doctrine we ought to improve as a source of consolation under every vicissitude which may seem to threaten us with destruction. We may be harassed in various ways, and distracted by many dangers, which every moment threaten us with death, but this consideration ought to prove to us a sufficient ground of comfort, that not only are our days numbered by God, but that he also knows all the vicissitudes of our lot on earth. Since God then so carefully watches over us for the maintenance of our welfare, we ought to enjoy, in this our pilgrimage on earth, as much peace and satisfaction as if we were put in full possession of our paternal inheritance and home. Because we are regarded by God, David from this concludes, that our inheritance is everlasting. Moreover, in declaring that those who are upright are thus carefully protected by God, he exhorts us to the sincere pursuit of truth and uprightness; and if we desire to be placed in safety under the protection of God, let us cultivate meekness, and reject with detestation this hellish proverb, “We must howl among wolves.”
(34) “‘Depositeth the days of the upright,” — lays them up in safety for them: for such is the original idea of ירע.” — Fry
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(18) Knoweth.See Psa. 1:6, Note.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
18. Knoweth See on Psa 1:6.
Their inheritance shall be for ever A clear pointing to the life to come. The nature of the subject demands this sense of the words, and the argument wholly falls to the ground without it. See on Psa 37:27-29; Psa 37:37
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Psa 37:18 The LORD knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be for ever.
Ver. 18. The Lord knoweth the days of the upright ] In bonum novit, Psa 1:6 id est prolongat, saith Kimchi; he knoweth, that is, he acknowledgeth, approveth, hath a gracious regard unto, their days and the events thereof; he hath decreed to a minute how long they shall suffer, and what happiness shall succeed their sufferings.
And their inheritance shall be for ever
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
knoweth. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6, for regarding with affection or favour. Compare Psa 1:6; Psa 31:7.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Ways That God Establishes
Psa 37:18-29
God takes pleasure in our lives. In each He is working out a plan. Even our failures do not turn Him away from us, for He keeps fast hold of our hands, Psa 37:24, r.v., margin. Long after His people have passed home, God sees to their children. If they follow in their parents ways, they are borne along in the stream of providential care; but obviously they may depart from it. What precious promises in Psa 37:28; Psa 37:31; Psa 37:33; Psa 37:37; Psa 37:39-40! Never forsaken! Always sure of an Advocate in the Divine Presence! Not left to the mercy of our foes! Safely housed in the time of need! Dying in peace! Such are the blessings which accrue to the servant of God. Such has been the observation of one no longer young, Psa 37:25.
When taunted, persecuted, maligned, desperate, go into a silent place and lift your tear-stained face to Him. He understands the unspoken language of sighs and tears. Do not hurry Him; He has ages to work in. Wait patiently and rest.
Fuente: F.B. Meyer’s Through the Bible Commentary
knoweth: Psa 1:6, Psa 31:7, Mat 6:32, 2Ti 2:19
the days: Psa 37:13, Psa 31:15, Psa 49:5, Deu 33:25, Mat 24:21-24, 2Ti 3:1-5, 2Ti 4:2-4, Rev 11:3-5
their: Psa 16:11, Psa 21:4, Psa 73:24, Psa 103:17, Isa 60:21, Rom 5:21, Rom 6:23, 1Pe 1:4, 1Pe 1:5, 1Jo 2:25
Reciprocal: Psa 37:22 – Blessed Psa 37:29 – General Pro 13:25 – righteous Ecc 8:12 – surely Eze 46:16 – If the prince Zec 14:7 – which Mat 6:33 – and all Eph 1:11 – we Heb 9:15 – eternal
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Psa 37:18-20. The Lord knoweth Observeth with singular care and affection; the days of the upright Their condition, and all things which do or may befall them; their dangers, and fears, and sufferings from ungodly men; and therefore will watch over them, and preserve them from all the designs and attempts of their enemies. Days, or years, or times, are often put for things done, or events happening in them. And their inheritance shall be for ever To them and their seed for ever: see Psa 37:29. When they die the inheritance is not lost, but exchanged for one infinitely better. They shall not be ashamed For the disappointment of their hopes, but their hopes and desires shall be satisfied; as it follows. But the wicked shall be as the fat of lambs Which in an instant melteth before the fire. They shall consume into smoke Utterly and irrecoverably.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
37:18 The LORD {l} knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be for ever.
(l) God knows what dangers hang over his, and by what means to deliver them.