Psalm 37:25
New International Version
I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread.

New Living Translation
Once I was young, and now I am old. Yet I have never seen the godly abandoned or their children begging for bread.

English Standard Version
I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread.

Berean Standard Bible
I once was young and now am old, yet never have I seen the righteous abandoned or their children begging for bread.

King James Bible
I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.

New King James Version
I have been young, and now am old; Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, Nor his descendants begging bread.

New American Standard Bible
I have been young and now I am old, Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken Or his descendants begging for bread.

NASB 1995
I have been young and now I am old, Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken Or his descendants begging bread.

NASB 1977
I have been young, and now I am old; Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, Or his descendants begging bread.

Legacy Standard Bible
I was young and now I am old, Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken Or his seed begging bread.

Amplified Bible
I have been young and now I am old, Yet I have not seen the righteous (those in right standing with God) abandoned Or his descendants pleading for bread.

Christian Standard Bible
I have been young and now I am old, yet I have not seen the righteous abandoned or his children begging for bread.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
I have been young and now I am old, yet I have not seen the righteous abandoned or his children begging for bread.

American Standard Version
I have been young, and now am old; Yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, Nor his seed begging bread.

Contemporary English Version
As long as I can remember, good people have never been left helpless, and their children have never gone begging for food.

English Revised Version
I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging their bread.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
I have been young, and now I am old, but I have never seen a righteous person abandoned or his descendants begging for food.

Good News Translation
I am old now; I have lived a long time, but I have never seen good people abandoned by the LORD or their children begging for food.

International Standard Version
I once was young and now I am old, but I have not seen a righteous person forsaken or his descendants begging for bread.

Majority Standard Bible
I once was young and now am old, yet never have I seen the righteous abandoned or their children begging for bread.

NET Bible
I was once young, now I am old. I have never seen a godly man abandoned, or his children forced to search for food.

New Heart English Bible
I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his children begging for bread.

Webster's Bible Translation
I have been young, and now am old; yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.

World English Bible
I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his children begging for bread.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
I have been young, "" I have also become old, "" And I have not seen the righteous forsaken, "" And his seed seeking bread.

Young's Literal Translation
Young I have been, I have also become old, And I have not seen the righteous forsaken, And his seed seeking bread.

Smith's Literal Translation
I was a youth, also I grew old, and I saw not the just one forsaken and his seed seeking bread.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
I have been young, and now am old; and I have not seen the just forsaken, nor his seed seeking bread.

Catholic Public Domain Version
I have been young, and now I am old; and I have not seen the just forsaken, nor his offspring seeking bread.

New American Bible
Neither in my youth, nor now in old age have I seen the righteous one abandoned or his offspring begging for bread.

New Revised Standard Version
I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
I have been young, and now am old; yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his descendants begging bread.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
I have been young and I am old, and I have not seen a righteous one forsaken, neither his seed seeking bread.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
I have been young, and now am old; Yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, Nor his seed begging bread.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
I was once young, indeed I am now old; yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed seeking bread.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Do Not Envy Those who Do Wrong
24Though he falls, he will not be overwhelmed, for the LORD is holding his hand. 25I once was young and now am old, yet never have I seen the righteous abandoned or their children begging for bread. 26They are ever generous and quick to lend, and their children are a blessing.…

Cross References
Philippians 4:19
And my God will supply all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

Matthew 6:31-33
Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ / For the Gentiles strive after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. / But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.

Proverbs 10:3
The LORD does not let the righteous go hungry, but He denies the craving of the wicked.

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.

2 Corinthians 9:8-10
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things, at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. / As it is written: “He has scattered abroad His gifts to the poor; His righteousness endures forever.” / Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your store of seed and will increase the harvest of your righteousness.

Deuteronomy 31:6
Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid or terrified of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Hebrews 13:5
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, for God has said: “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.”

1 Kings 8:56
“Blessed be the LORD, who has given rest to His people Israel according to all that He promised. Not one word has failed of all the good promises He made through His servant Moses.

Romans 8:28
And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.

Job 5:19-27
He will rescue you from six calamities; no harm will touch you in seven. / In famine He will redeem you from death, and in battle from the stroke of the sword. / You will be hidden from the scourge of the tongue, and will not fear havoc when it comes. ...

1 Peter 5:7
Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.

Genesis 28:15
Look, I am with you, and I will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”

Luke 12:22-31
Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat, or about your body, what you will wear. / For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. / Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storehouse or barn; yet God feeds them. How much more valuable you are than the birds! ...

1 Timothy 6:17
Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be conceited and not to put their hope in the uncertainty of wealth, but in God, who richly provides all things for us to enjoy.

Isaiah 46:4
Even to your old age, I will be the same, and I will bear you up when you turn gray. I have made you, and I will carry you; I will sustain you and deliver you.


Treasury of Scripture

I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.

I have

Psalm 71:9,18
Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength faileth…

Job 32:6,7
And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said, I am young, and ye are very old; wherefore I was afraid, and durst not shew you mine opinion…

Acts 21:16
There went with us also certain of the disciples of Caesarea, and brought with them one Mnason of Cyprus, an old disciple, with whom we should lodge.

yet

Psalm 37:28
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.

Psalm 94:14
For the LORD will not cast off his people, neither will he forsake his inheritance.

Joshua 1:5
There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

nor his seed

Psalm 25:13
His soul shall dwell at ease; and his seed shall inherit the earth.

Psalm 59:15
Let them wander up and down for meat, and grudge if they be not satisfied.

Psalm 109:10
Let his children be continually vagabonds, and beg: let them seek their bread also out of their desolate places.

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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














I was young and now I am old
This phrase reflects the passage of time and the wisdom that comes with age. The psalmist, traditionally understood to be David, speaks from a lifetime of experience. The Hebrew word for "young" (נַעַר, na'ar) often refers to a youth or a young man, while "old" (זָקֵן, zaqen) indicates advanced age, suggesting a long life of observation. This transition from youth to old age underscores the reliability of the psalmist's testimony, as it is based on a lifetime of witnessing God's faithfulness.

yet never have I seen
The phrase emphasizes the psalmist's personal observation and experience. The Hebrew word for "seen" (רָאָה, ra'ah) implies not just physical sight but also understanding and perception. This suggests that the psalmist has not only observed with his eyes but has also comprehended with his heart and mind the truth he is about to declare.

the righteous forsaken
The term "righteous" (צַדִּיק, tsaddiq) refers to those who are in right standing with God, living according to His laws and commands. The word "forsaken" (עָזַב, azab) means to leave or abandon. The psalmist asserts that God does not abandon those who are faithful to Him. This assurance is rooted in the covenant relationship between God and His people, where God promises to be with them and provide for them.

or their children begging bread
This phrase highlights the generational blessing that comes from living a righteous life. The Hebrew word for "children" (זֶרַע, zera) can also mean descendants or offspring, indicating that the blessings of the righteous extend beyond their own lives to their progeny. "Begging bread" suggests a state of destitution and need. The psalmist's observation is that God provides for the needs of the righteous and their families, ensuring they do not fall into such dire circumstances.

Verse 25. - I have been young, and now am old. It is most natural to understand this literally, and to gather from it that the psalmist, whether David or another, composed this psalm in advanced life. It has certainly all the gravity, calmness, seriousness, and tone of authority which befit a teacher of many years and much experience. Yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. The social condition of the Israelites was very unlike that of modern European communities. Though there were rich and poor among them, there could scarcely be any that were very poor. Where there was a general obligation upon all well-disposed persons to lend to such as were in need, and no interest could be asked upon loans, and in the year of jubilee all debts were remitted, and mortgaged lands returned to their original owners or their families, actual begging was scarcely possible, and at any rate could only be brought about by extreme and reckless misconduct. Many philanthropists believe that even at the present time in our own country mendicancy is nearly always the consequence of persistence in evil courses. Still more must this have been the case in Palestine in the time of the monarchy (see Proverbs 20:4).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
I once was
הָיִ֗יתִי (hā·yî·ṯî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

young
נַ֤עַר ׀ (na·‘ar)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5288: A boy, lad, youth, retainer

and
גַּם־ (gam-)
Conjunction
Strong's 1571: Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and

now am old,
זָ֫קַ֥נְתִּי (zā·qan·tî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 2204: To be or become old

yet never
וְֽלֹא־ (wə·lō-)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

have I seen
רָ֭אִיתִי (rā·’î·ṯî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 7200: To see

the righteous
צַדִּ֣יק (ṣad·dîq)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 6662: Just, righteous

abandoned
נֶעֱזָ֑ב (ne·‘ĕ·zāḇ)
Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5800: To loosen, relinquish, permit

or their children
וְ֝זַרְע֗וֹ (wə·zar·‘ōw)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 2233: Seed, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity

begging
מְבַקֶּשׁ־ (mə·ḇaq·qeš-)
Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 1245: To search out, to strive after

for bread.
לָֽחֶם׃ (lā·ḥem)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3899: Food, bread, grain


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OT Poetry: Psalm 37:25 I have been young and now (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 37:24
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