The Meaning of Psalms 37:21 Explained

Psalms 37:21

KJV: The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth.

YLT: The wicked is borrowing and repayeth not, And the righteous is gracious and giving.

Darby: The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again; but the righteous is gracious and giveth:

ASV: The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again; But the righteous dealeth graciously, and giveth.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

The wicked  borroweth,  and payeth not again:  but the righteous  sheweth mercy,  and giveth. 

What does Psalms 37:21 Mean?

Context Summary

Psalms 37:18-29 - Ways That God Establishes
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, Psalms 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 Psalms 37:28; Psalms 37:31; Psalms 37:33; Psalms 37:37; Psalms 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, Psalms 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. [source]

Chapter Summary: Psalms 37

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

What do the individual words in Psalms 37:21 mean?

Borrows the wicked and not does repay but the righteous shows mercy and gives
לֹוֶ֣ה רָ֭שָׁע וְלֹ֣א יְשַׁלֵּ֑ם וְ֝צַדִּ֗יק חוֹנֵ֥ן וְנוֹתֵֽן

לֹוֶ֣ה  Borrows 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Participle, masculine singular
Root: לָוָה 
Sense: to join, be joined.
רָ֭שָׁע  the  wicked 
Parse: Adjective, masculine singular
Root: רָשָׁע  
Sense: wicked, criminal.
וְלֹ֣א  and  not 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Adverb, Negative particle
Root: הֲלֹא 
Sense: not, no.
יְשַׁלֵּ֑ם  does  repay 
Parse: Verb, Piel, Imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: שָׁלֵם  
Sense: .
וְ֝צַדִּ֗יק  but  the  righteous 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Adjective, masculine singular
Root: צַדִּיק  
Sense: just, lawful, righteous.
חוֹנֵ֥ן  shows  mercy 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Participle, masculine singular
Root: חָנַן 
Sense: to be gracious, show favour, pity.
וְנוֹתֵֽן  and  gives 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Participle, masculine singular
Root: יָתַן 
Sense: to give, put, set.