Psalm 37:21
New International Version
The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous give generously;

New Living Translation
The wicked borrow and never repay, but the godly are generous givers.

English Standard Version
The wicked borrows but does not pay back, but the righteous is generous and gives;

Berean Standard Bible
The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous are gracious and giving.

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

New King James Version
The wicked borrows and does not repay, But the righteous shows mercy and gives.

New American Standard Bible
The wicked borrows and does not pay back, But the righteous is gracious and gives.

NASB 1995
The wicked borrows and does not pay back, But the righteous is gracious and gives.

NASB 1977
The wicked borrows and does not pay back, But the righteous is gracious and gives.

Legacy Standard Bible
The wicked borrows and does not pay back, But the righteous is gracious and gives.

Amplified Bible
The wicked borrows and does not pay back, But the righteous is gracious and kind and gives.

Christian Standard Bible
The wicked person borrows and does not repay, but the righteous one is gracious and giving.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The wicked man borrows and does not repay, but the righteous one is gracious and giving.

American Standard Version
The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again; But the righteous dealeth graciously, and giveth.

Contemporary English Version
An evil person borrows and never pays back; a good person is generous and never stops giving.

English Revised Version
The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous dealeth graciously, and giveth.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
A wicked person borrows, but he does not repay. A righteous person is generous and giving.

Good News Translation
The wicked borrow and never pay back, but good people are generous with their gifts.

International Standard Version
The wicked borrow but never pay back; but the righteous are generous and give.

Majority Standard Bible
The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous are gracious and giving.

NET Bible
Evil men borrow, but do not repay their debt, but the godly show compassion and are generous.

New Heart English Bible
The wicked borrow, and do not pay back, but the righteous give generously.

Webster's Bible Translation
The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous showeth mercy, and giveth.

World English Bible
The wicked borrow, and don’t pay back, but the righteous give generously.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
The wicked is borrowing and does not repay, "" And the righteous is gracious and giving.

Young's Literal Translation
The wicked is borrowing and repayeth not, And the righteous is gracious and giving.

Smith's Literal Translation
The unjust one borrowed and he will not repay: and the just one compassionated, and gave.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
The sinner shall borrow, and not pay again; but the just sheweth mercy and shall give.

Catholic Public Domain Version
The sinner will lend and not release, but the just one shows compassion and donates.

New American Bible
The wicked one borrows but does not repay; the righteous one is generous and gives.

New Revised Standard Version
The wicked borrow, and do not pay back, but the righteous are generous and keep giving;
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
The wicked borrows, and pays not again; but the righteous shows mercy, and gives.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
The wicked borrows and does not repay and the righteous shows mercy and gives.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
The wicked borroweth, and payeth not; But the righteous dealeth graciously, and giveth.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
The sinner borrows, and will not pay again: but the righteous has compassion, and gives.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Do Not Envy Those who Do Wrong
20But the wicked and enemies of the LORD will perish like the glory of the fields. They will vanish; like smoke they will fade away. 21The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous are gracious and giving. 22Surely those He blesses will inherit the land, but the cursed will be destroyed.…

Cross References
Proverbs 22:7
The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender.

Romans 13:8
Be indebted to no one, except to one another in love. For he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.

Matthew 5:42
Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

Luke 6:34-35
And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. / But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them, expecting nothing in return. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.

Proverbs 19:17
Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD, and He will repay the lender.

Deuteronomy 15:7-8
If there is a poor man among your brothers within any of the gates in the land that the LORD your God is giving you, then you are not to harden your heart or shut your hand from your poor brother. / Instead, you are to open your hand to him and freely loan him whatever he needs.

James 2:15-16
Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. / If one of you tells him, “Go in peace; stay warm and well fed,” but does not provide for his physical needs, what good is that?

2 Corinthians 9:6-7
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. / Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not out of regret or compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver.

Proverbs 28:8
He who increases his wealth by interest and usury lays it up for one who is kind to the poor.

Exodus 22:25
If you lend money to one of My people among you who is poor, you must not act as a creditor to him; you are not to charge him interest.

Ezekiel 18:7-9
He does not oppress another, but restores the pledge to the debtor. He does not commit robbery, but gives his bread to the hungry and covers the naked with clothing. / He does not engage in usury or take excess interest, but he withholds his hand from iniquity and executes true justice between men. / He follows My statutes and faithfully keeps My ordinances. That man is righteous; surely he will live, declares the Lord GOD.

1 John 3:17
If anyone with earthly possessions sees his brother in need, but withholds his compassion from him, how can the love of God abide in him?

Proverbs 11:24-25
One gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds what is right, only to become poor. / A generous soul will prosper, and he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.

Leviticus 25:35-37
Now if your countryman becomes destitute and cannot support himself among you, then you are to help him as you would a foreigner or stranger, so that he can continue to live among you. / Do not take any interest or profit from him, but fear your God, that your countryman may live among you. / You must not lend him your silver at interest or sell him your food for profit.

Acts 20:35
In everything, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus Himself: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”


Treasury of Scripture

The wicked borrows, and pays not again: but the righteous shows mercy, and gives.

borroweth

Deuteronomy 28:12,43,44
The LORD shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow…

2 Kings 4:1-5
Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets unto Elisha, saying, Thy servant my husband is dead; and thou knowest that thy servant did fear the LORD: and the creditor is come to take unto him my two sons to be bondmen…

Nehemiah 5:1-5
And there was a great cry of the people and of their wives against their brethren the Jews…

righteous

Psalm 112:5,9
A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion…

Deuteronomy 15:9-11
Beware that there be not a thought in thy wicked heart, saying, The seventh year, the year of release, is at hand; and thine eye be evil against thy poor brother, and thou givest him nought; and he cry unto the LORD against thee, and it be sin unto thee…

Job 31:16-20
If I have withheld the poor from their desire, or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail; …

Jump to Previous
Borrow Borrows Dealeth Generous Generously Gives Gracious Graciously Mercy Money Others Pay Repay Repayeth Righteous Sheweth Showeth Sinner Upright Wicked
Jump to Next
Borrow Borrows Dealeth Generous Generously Gives Gracious Graciously Mercy Money Others Pay Repay Repayeth Righteous Sheweth Showeth Sinner Upright Wicked
Psalm 37
1. David persuades to patience and confidence in God,
12. by the different estate of the godly and the wicked














The wicked
The term "wicked" in Hebrew is "רָשָׁע" (rasha), which refers to those who are morally wrong or guilty. In the biblical context, the wicked are often contrasted with the righteous, representing those who live in opposition to God's laws and principles. Historically, the wicked are seen as those who disrupt the social and moral order established by God. This term sets the stage for understanding the moral dichotomy presented in this verse.

borrow and do not repay
The act of borrowing without repaying is a breach of trust and integrity. In ancient Israel, borrowing was a common practice, often necessary for survival. The Hebrew word for "borrow" is "לָוָה" (lavah), which implies a sense of obligation and responsibility. Failing to repay was not just a financial issue but a moral failing, reflecting a lack of respect for one's neighbor and community. This behavior is indicative of the wicked's disregard for justice and righteousness.

but the righteous
The "righteous" in Hebrew is "צַדִּיק" (tzaddik), referring to those who live in accordance with God's will and commandments. The righteous are characterized by their faithfulness, integrity, and commitment to justice. In the biblical narrative, they are often seen as the upholders of God's covenant, living lives that reflect His character. This term highlights the contrast between those who live selfishly and those who live selflessly.

are gracious and giving
The phrase "gracious and giving" reflects the Hebrew words "חָנַן" (chanan) and "נָתַן" (natan). "Chanan" implies showing favor, mercy, and kindness, while "natan" means to give or bestow. Together, these words paint a picture of generosity and benevolence. The righteous, in their graciousness, reflect God's own nature, who is the ultimate giver. This behavior is not just about financial generosity but encompasses a lifestyle of selflessness and compassion, embodying the love and grace of God.

Verse 21. - The wicked borroweth, and pay-eth not again. The wicked man borrows with a light heart, though he may have no prospect of ever being able to repay. Living under God's curse (ver. 22), he is for the most part not able to repay; when he happens to be able, he is often not willing. But the righteous showeth mercy, and giveth (comp. Psalm 112:5, 9). The righteous has not often need to borrow (see Deuteronomy 15:6; Deuteronomy 28:12, 44). Rather, he lends and gives freely.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
The wicked
רָ֭שָׁע (rā·šā‘)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 7563: Wrong, an, bad person

borrow
לֹוֶ֣ה (lō·weh)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 3867: To twine, to unite, to remain, to borrow, to lend

and do not
וְלֹ֣א (wə·lō)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

repay,
יְשַׁלֵּ֑ם (yə·šal·lêm)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7999: To be safe, to be, completed, to be friendly, to reciprocate

but the righteous
וְ֝צַדִּ֗יק (wə·ṣad·dîq)
Conjunctive waw | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 6662: Just, righteous

are gracious
חוֹנֵ֥ן (ḥō·w·nên)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 2603: To bend, stoop in kindness to an inferior, to favor, bestow, to implore

and giving.
וְנוֹתֵֽן׃ (wə·nō·w·ṯên)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set


Links
Psalm 37:21 NIV
Psalm 37:21 NLT
Psalm 37:21 ESV
Psalm 37:21 NASB
Psalm 37:21 KJV

Psalm 37:21 BibleApps.com
Psalm 37:21 Biblia Paralela
Psalm 37:21 Chinese Bible
Psalm 37:21 French Bible
Psalm 37:21 Catholic Bible

OT Poetry: Psalm 37:21 The wicked borrow and don't pay back (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 37:20
Top of Page
Top of Page