Psalm 37:32
New International Version
The wicked lie in wait for the righteous, intent on putting them to death;

New Living Translation
The wicked wait in ambush for the godly, looking for an excuse to kill them.

English Standard Version
The wicked watches for the righteous and seeks to put him to death.

Berean Standard Bible
Though the wicked lie in wait for the righteous, and seek to slay them,

King James Bible
The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him.

New King James Version
The wicked watches the righteous, And seeks to slay him.

New American Standard Bible
The wicked spies upon the righteous And seeks to kill him.

NASB 1995
The wicked spies upon the righteous And seeks to kill him.

NASB 1977
The wicked spies upon the righteous, And seeks to kill him.

Legacy Standard Bible
The wicked spies upon the righteous And seeks to put him to death.

Amplified Bible
The wicked lies in wait for the righteous And seeks to kill him.

Christian Standard Bible
The wicked one lies in wait for the righteous and intends to kill him;

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The wicked one lies in wait for the righteous and seeks to kill him;

American Standard Version
The wicked watcheth the righteous, And seeketh to slay him.

Contemporary English Version
The wicked try to trap and kill good people,

English Revised Version
The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The wicked person watches the righteous person and seeks to kill him.

Good News Translation
Wicked people watch good people and try to kill them;

International Standard Version
The wicked stalks the righteous person, seeking to kill him,

Majority Standard Bible
Though the wicked lie in wait for the righteous, and seek to slay them,

NET Bible
Evil men set an ambush for the godly and try to kill them.

New Heart English Bible
The wicked watches the righteous, and seeks to kill him.

Webster's Bible Translation
The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him.

World English Bible
The wicked watch the righteous, and seek to kill him.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
The wicked is watching for the righteous, "" And is seeking to put him to death.

Young's Literal Translation
The wicked is watching for the righteous, And is seeking to put him to death.

Smith's Literal Translation
The unjust watches for the just, and seeks to kill him,
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
The wicked watcheth the just man, and seeketh to put him to death,

Catholic Public Domain Version
The sinner considers the just one and seeks to put him to death.

New American Bible
The wicked spies on the righteous and seeks to kill him.

New Revised Standard Version
The wicked watch for the righteous, and seek to kill them.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
The wicked lies in wait for the righteous, and seeks to slay him.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
The wicked lies in wait for the righteous and seeks to kill him.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
The wicked watcheth the righteous, And seeketh to slay him.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
The sinner watches the righteous, and seeks to slay him.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Do Not Envy Those who Do Wrong
31The law of his God is in his heart; his steps do not falter. 32Though the wicked lie in wait for the righteous, and seek to slay them, 33the LORD will not leave them in their power or let them be condemned under judgment.…

Cross References
Proverbs 29:10
Men of bloodshed hate a blameless man, but the upright care for his life.

Proverbs 1:11-12
If they say, “Come along, let us lie in wait for blood, let us ambush the innocent without cause, / let us swallow them alive like Sheol, and whole like those descending into the Pit.

Proverbs 24:15
Do not lie in wait, O wicked man, near the dwelling of the righteous; do not destroy his resting place.

Jeremiah 20:10
For I have heard the whispering of many: “Terror is on every side! Report him; let us report him!” All my trusted friends watch for my fall: “Perhaps he will be deceived so that we may prevail against him and take our vengeance upon him.”

Micah 7:2
The godly man has perished from the earth; there is no one upright among men. They all lie in wait for blood; they hunt one another with a net.

1 Samuel 24:11
See, my father, look at the corner of your robe in my hand. For I cut it off, but I did not kill you. Know and see that there is no evil or rebellion in my hands. I have not sinned against you, even though you are hunting me down to take my life.

1 Samuel 26:18
And he continued, “Why is my lord pursuing his servant? What have I done? What evil is in my hand?

1 Kings 21:10
But seat two scoundrels opposite him and have them testify, ‘You have cursed both God and the king!’ Then take him out and stone him to death.”

Nehemiah 4:11
And our enemies said, “Before they know or see a thing, we will come into their midst, kill them, and put an end to the work.”

Esther 3:6
And when he learned the identity of Mordecai’s people, he scorned the notion of laying hands on Mordecai alone. Instead, he sought to destroy all of Mordecai’s people, the Jews, throughout the kingdom of Xerxes.

Matthew 26:59
Now the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were seeking false testimony against Jesus in order to put Him to death.

Mark 14:55
Now the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were seeking testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but they did not find any.

Luke 6:7
Looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, the scribes and Pharisees were watching Him closely to see if He would heal on the Sabbath.

Luke 11:54
waiting to catch Him in something He might say.

John 8:6
They said this to test Him, in order to have a basis for accusing Him. But Jesus bent down and began to write on the ground with His finger.


Treasury of Scripture

The wicked watches the righteous, and seeks to slay him.

watcheth

Psalm 37:12
The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth.

Psalm 10:8-10
He sitteth in the lurking places of the villages: in the secret places doth he murder the innocent: his eyes are privily set against the poor…

Jeremiah 20:10
For I heard the defaming of many, fear on every side. Report, say they, and we will report it. All my familiars watched for my halting, saying, Peradventure he will be enticed, and we shall prevail against him, and we shall take our revenge on him.

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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














The wicked
The term "wicked" in Hebrew is "רָשָׁע" (rasha), which refers to those who are morally wrong, guilty, or hostile towards God and His laws. In the context of the Psalms, the wicked are often portrayed as those who oppose God's people and His purposes. Historically, the wicked have been seen as those who reject the covenant relationship with God, choosing instead to follow their own paths. This phrase sets the stage for a contrast between those who live in rebellion against God and those who seek to follow His ways.

lie in wait
The Hebrew root for "lie in wait" is "אָרַב" (arab), which conveys the idea of ambush or lurking with malicious intent. This phrase paints a vivid picture of premeditated hostility and danger. In ancient times, ambushes were a common military tactic, and this imagery would resonate with the original audience, highlighting the stealth and deceit of the wicked. Spiritually, it suggests the constant vigilance required by the righteous to guard against the subtle and often hidden attacks of evil.

for the righteous
The word "righteous" in Hebrew is "צַדִּיק" (tsaddiq), referring to those who are just, lawful, and in right standing with God. The righteous are those who live according to God's commandments and seek to uphold His justice and truth. In the biblical narrative, the righteous are often depicted as those who are favored by God, yet they frequently face persecution and opposition from the wicked. This phrase underscores the ongoing spiritual battle between good and evil, and the trials faced by those who choose to live in accordance with God's will.

intent on putting them to death
The phrase "putting them to death" is derived from the Hebrew "מוּת" (muth), meaning to kill or cause to die. This stark language emphasizes the severity of the threat posed by the wicked. Throughout history, the righteous have often faced persecution, sometimes even martyrdom, for their faith and commitment to God's truth. This phrase serves as a sobering reminder of the cost of discipleship and the reality of spiritual warfare. It also points to the ultimate victory of the righteous, as God promises to protect and vindicate those who are faithful to Him.

Verse 32. - The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him. Wicked men hate righteous men, as being a reproach to them, and also as being a hindrance and a danger. The righteous thwart their plans, oppose their proceedings, often frustrate their counsels. Sometimes their opposition brings the wicked man into peril, as when it takes the shape of prosecution before a court, or of help given to one who has fallen among thieves. Hence the hatred felt by the wicked towards the righteous is not surprising. It leads the wicked to entertain murderous thoughts - to be ever "watching" for an opportunity when he may take the righteous man at a disadvantage, and, if no other means of removing him from his path present themselves, kill him. Modern civilization, with its precautions and "resources," prevents actual violence for the most part; but the tour-derous instinct remains, and even now, in his heart, many a wicked man is a murderer.

Parallel Commentaries ...


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

lie in wait
צוֹפֶ֣ה (ṣō·w·p̄eh)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 6822: To lean forward, to peer into the distance, to observe, await

for the righteous,
לַצַּדִּ֑יק (laṣ·ṣad·dîq)
Preposition-l, Article | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 6662: Just, righteous

and seek
וּ֝מְבַקֵּ֗שׁ (ū·mə·ḇaq·qêš)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 1245: To search out, to strive after

to slay them,
לַהֲמִיתוֹ׃‪‬ (la·hă·mî·ṯōw)
Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 4191: To die, to kill


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OT Poetry: Psalm 37:32 The wicked watches the righteous and seeks (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 37:31
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