Psalms 37:26
He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed.
Original Language Analysis
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
1 of 6
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַ֭יּוֹם
He is ever
H3117
הַ֭יּוֹם
He is ever
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
2 of 6
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
חוֹנֵ֣ן
merciful
H2603
חוֹנֵ֣ן
merciful
Strong's:
H2603
Word #:
3 of 6
properly, to bend or stoop in kindness to an inferior; to favor, bestow; causatively to implore (i.e., move to favor by petition)
וּמַלְוֶ֑ה
and lendeth
H3867
וּמַלְוֶ֑ה
and lendeth
Strong's:
H3867
Word #:
4 of 6
properly, to twine; also to borrow (as a form of obligation) or (causative) to lend
Cross References
Psalms 112:5A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion.Psalms 37:21The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth.Psalms 112:9He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor; his righteousness endureth for ever; his horn shall be exalted with honour.Matthew 5:7Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
Historical Context
Ancient Israel's agrarian economy depended on seed loans for planting seasons. Lending seed ensured community survival through crop cycles. The righteous man's generosity stabilized society, preventing destitution, while greedy creditors (condemned in prophets) exploited hardship for profit.
Questions for Reflection
- How does your financial generosity reflect (or contradict) the daily, habitual grace this verse describes?
- In what ways are you investing in others' success—lending resources, time, wisdom—expecting God to bless generational fruitfulness?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
He is ever merciful, and lendeth (כָּל־הַיּוֹם חוֹנֵן וּמַלְוֶה, kol-hayom chonen umalveh)—literally "all the day" the righteous shows chen (grace) and lends. The participles indicate habitual character, not occasional generosity. Torah commanded lending without interest to fellow Israelites (Exodus 22:25, Leviticus 25:35-37), making generosity covenantal duty. And his seed is blessed (וְזַרְעוֹ לִבְרָכָה, v'zaro livrakha)—intergenerational blessing flows from righteous generosity. Proverbs 22:9 confirms: "He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed."
Jesus commanded radical generosity: "Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away" (Matthew 5:42). This isn't mere social ethics but covenant faithfulness reflecting God's grace to us: "freely ye have received, freely give" (Matthew 10:8). The righteous man's economy mirrors God's grace-based kingdom.