Psalm 37:17 For the arms of the wicked will be broken, but the LORD upholds the righteous.

◄ Psalm 37:17 ►

New International Version
for the power of the wicked will be broken, but the LORD upholds the righteous.

New Living Translation
For the strength of the wicked will be shattered, but the LORD takes care of the godly.

English Standard Version
For the arms of the wicked shall be broken, but the LORD upholds the righteous.

Berean Standard Bible
For the arms of the wicked will be broken, but the LORD upholds the righteous.

King James Bible
For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the LORD upholdeth the righteous.

New King James Version
For the arms of the wicked shall be broken, But the LORD upholds the righteous.

New American Standard Bible
For the arms of the wicked will be broken, But the LORD sustains the righteous.

NASB 1995
For the arms of the wicked will be broken, But the LORD sustains the righteous.

NASB 1977
For the arms of the wicked will be broken; But the LORD sustains the righteous.

Legacy Standard Bible
For the arms of the wicked will be broken, But Yahweh sustains the righteous.

Amplified Bible
For the arms of the wicked will be broken, But the LORD upholds and sustains the righteous [who seek Him].

Christian Standard Bible
For the arms of the wicked will be broken, but the LORD supports the righteous.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
For the arms of the wicked will be broken, but the LORD supports the righteous.

American Standard Version
For the arms of the wicked shall be broken; But Jehovah upholdeth the righteous.

Contemporary English Version
The wicked will lose all of their power, but the LORD gives strength to everyone who is good.

English Revised Version
For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the LORD upholdeth the righteous.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The arms of wicked people will be broken, but the LORD continues to support righteous people.

Good News Translation
because the LORD will take away the strength of the wicked, but protect those who are good.

International Standard Version
For the arms of the wicked will be broken, but the LORD upholds the righteous.

Majority Standard Bible
For the arms of the wicked will be broken, but the LORD upholds the righteous.

NET Bible
for evil men will lose their power, but the LORD sustains the godly.

New Heart English Bible
For the arms of the wicked shall be broken, but the LORD upholds the righteous.

Webster's Bible Translation
For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the LORD upholdeth the righteous.

World English Bible
For the arms of the wicked shall be broken, but Yahweh upholds the righteous.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
For the arms of the wicked are shattered, "" And YHWH is sustaining the righteous.

Young's Literal Translation
For the arms of the wicked are shivered, And Jehovah is sustaining the righteous.

Smith's Literal Translation
For the arms of the unjust shall be broken, and Jehovah upholds the just.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
For the arms of the wicked shall be broken in pieces; but the Lord strengtheneth the just.

Catholic Public Domain Version
For the arms of sinners will be crushed, but the Lord confirms the just.

New American Bible
The arms of the wicked will be broken, while the LORD will sustain the righteous.

New Revised Standard Version
For the arms of the wicked shall be broken, but the LORD upholds the righteous.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
For the arms of the wicked shall be broken; but the LORD upholds the righteous.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Because the arms of the wicked will be broken; LORD JEHOVAH supports the righteous.

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
For the arms of the wicked shall be broken; But the LORD upholdeth the righteous.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
For the arms of sinners shall be broken; but the Lord supports the righteous.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Do Not Envy Those who Do Wrong
…16Better is the little of the righteous than the abundance of many who are wicked. 17For the arms of the wicked will be broken, but the LORD upholds the righteous. 18The LORD knows the days of the blameless, and their inheritance will last forever.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Proverbs 10:29
The way of the LORD is a refuge to the upright, but destruction awaits those who do evil.

Isaiah 41:10
Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

Isaiah 40:29
He gives power to the faint and increases the strength of the weak.

Isaiah 41:13
For I am the LORD your God, who takes hold of your right hand and tells you: Do not fear, I will help you.

Isaiah 40:31
But those who wait upon the LORD will renew their strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.

Job 5:12
He thwarts the schemes of the crafty, so that their hands find no success.

Job 5:19
He will rescue you from six calamities; no harm will touch you in seven.

1 Samuel 2:9
He guards the steps of His faithful ones, but the wicked perish in darkness; for by his own strength shall no man prevail.

2 Corinthians 12:9
But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me.

Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.

2 Thessalonians 3:3
But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one.

Romans 8:31
What then shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

Romans 8:37
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

Ephesians 6:10
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.

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.

Treasury of Scripture

For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the LORD upholds the righteous.

arms

Psalm 10:15
Break thou the arm of the wicked and the evil man: seek out his wickedness till thou find none.

Job 38:15
And from the wicked their light is withholden, and the high arm shall be broken.

Ezekiel 30:21-25
Son of man, I have broken the arm of Pharaoh king of Egypt; and, lo, it shall not be bound up to be healed, to put a roller to bind it, to make it strong to hold the sword…

Lord

Psalm 37:24
Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.

Psalm 41:12
And as for me, thou upholdest me in mine integrity, and settest me before thy face for ever.

Psalm 51:12
Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.

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Psalm 37

1. David persuades to patience and confidence in God,
12. by the different estate of the godly and the wicked

Berean Study Bible

For the arms of the wicked
The phrase "the arms of the wicked" symbolizes the power and strength that the wicked rely upon. In Hebrew, the word for "arms" is "zeroa," which often denotes might or force. Historically, the "arms" of a person or nation were seen as their means of exerting influence or control. In the context of this Psalm, it suggests that the wicked use their power for unjust purposes. The imagery of arms being broken indicates a divine intervention where God dismantles the instruments of oppression and injustice wielded by the wicked.

will be broken
The breaking of the arms signifies a complete and decisive end to the power of the wicked. The Hebrew verb "shabar" is used here, which means to shatter or destroy. This is not merely a temporary setback but a total incapacitation of their ability to do harm. In a broader scriptural context, this reflects the consistent biblical theme that God will ultimately judge and dismantle the power structures of those who oppose His will and oppress His people.

but the LORD
The conjunction "but" introduces a contrast between the fate of the wicked and the destiny of the righteous. "The LORD" here is "Yahweh," the covenant name of God, emphasizing His personal and faithful relationship with His people. This name invokes the assurance of God's eternal presence and His commitment to justice and righteousness. It is a reminder that God is actively involved in the affairs of humanity, particularly in upholding those who are aligned with His purposes.

upholds the righteous
The word "upholds" is translated from the Hebrew "samakh," which means to support, sustain, or hold up. This conveys the idea of God providing strength and stability to the righteous, ensuring that they are not overwhelmed by the challenges they face. The "righteous" are those who live in accordance with God's laws and principles, seeking to reflect His character in their lives. In the historical and scriptural context, the righteous are often depicted as those who, despite facing adversity, remain steadfast in their faith and trust in God's justice and provision.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(17) The arms--i.e., of the body, not the sword and bow mentioned above. In contrast, the arms of Jehovah are under the righteous, and uphold him.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 17. - For the arms of the wicked shall be broken (scrap. Psalm 10:15). The wicked shall be disabled from doing more mischief. If not slain outright, they shall return from the combats that they have provoked with shattered weapons (ver. 15) and damaged persons. But the Lord up-holdeth the righteous. Their adversaries in the encounters.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

For
כִּ֤י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

the arms
זְרוֹע֣וֹת (zə·rō·w·‘ō·wṯ)
Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 2220: The arm, the foreleg, force

of the wicked
רְ֭שָׁעִים (rə·šā·‘îm)
Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 7563: Wrong, an, bad person

will be broken,
תִּשָּׁבַ֑רְנָה (tiš·šā·ḇar·nāh)
Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person feminine plural
Strong's 7665: To break, break in pieces

but the LORD
יְהוָֽה׃ (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

upholds
וְסוֹמֵ֖ךְ (wə·sō·w·mêḵ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5564: To prop, to lean upon, take hold of

the righteous.
צַדִּיקִ֣ים (ṣad·dî·qîm)
Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 6662: Just, righteous

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OT Poetry: Psalm 37:17 For the arms of the wicked shall (Psalm Ps Psa.)