Psalms 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.
Original Language Analysis
כִּ֤י
H3588
כִּ֤י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 13
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
יְהוָ֨ה׀
For the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֨ה׀
For the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
2 of 13
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
מִשְׁפָּ֗ט
judgment
H4941
מִשְׁפָּ֗ט
judgment
Strong's:
H4941
Word #:
4 of 13
properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind
וְלֹא
H3808
וְלֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
5 of 13
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
7 of 13
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
חֲ֭סִידָיו
not his saints
H2623
חֲ֭סִידָיו
not his saints
Strong's:
H2623
Word #:
8 of 13
properly, kind, i.e., (religiously) pious (a saint)
לְעוֹלָ֣ם
for ever
H5769
לְעוֹלָ֣ם
for ever
Strong's:
H5769
Word #:
9 of 13
properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial
נִשְׁמָ֑רוּ
they are preserved
H8104
נִשְׁמָ֑רוּ
they are preserved
Strong's:
H8104
Word #:
10 of 13
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
וְזֶ֖רַע
but the seed
H2233
וְזֶ֖רַע
but the seed
Strong's:
H2233
Word #:
11 of 13
seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity
Cross References
Psalms 11:7For the righteous LORD loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright.Proverbs 2:22But the wicked shall be cut off from the earth, and the transgressors shall be rooted out of it.Isaiah 59:21As for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the LORD; My spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed's seed, saith the LORD, from henceforth and for ever.Psalms 21:10Their fruit shalt thou destroy from the earth, and their seed from among the children of men.Job 27:14If his children be multiplied, it is for the sword: and his offspring shall not be satisfied with bread.1 Peter 1:5Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.Jude 1:1Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called:Isaiah 61:8For I the LORD love judgment, I hate robbery for burnt offering; and I will direct their work in truth, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them.Psalms 37:40And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him.1 John 2:19They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.
Historical Context
Written against Israel's experience of exile (punishment for covenant-breaking) yet confidence in God's preservation of a remnant. The chasidim were the faithful few who maintained Torah devotion during apostasy, trusting God's promise to preserve despite national judgment.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's love for justice comfort or challenge you—does it assure you of His faithfulness or convict you of areas lacking His righteousness?
- What does it mean that God 'preserves' His saints forever—how does eternal security relate to present perseverance?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
For the LORD loveth judgment (כִּי יְהוָה אֹהֵב מִשְׁפָּט, ki YHWH ohev mishpat)—God's ahavah (love) for mishpat (justice/judgment/rights) grounds all moral order. He isn't indifferent to right and wrong but passionately loves justice. And forsaketh not his saints (וְלֹא־יַעֲזֹב אֶת־חֲסִידָיו, v'lo-ya'azov et-chasidav)—chasidim (holy/godly ones, from chesed, steadfast love) are never azav (forsaken). They are preserved for ever (לְעוֹלָם נִשְׁמָרוּ, le'olam nishmaru)—shamar (kept/guarded/watched over) promises eternal security. But the seed of the wicked shall be cut off (וְזֶרַע רְשָׁעִים נִכְרָת, v'zera resha'im nikhrat)—karet again: covenant exclusion, generational judgment.
This verse anchors eternal security in God's character: He loves justice, therefore cannot forsake the righteous (who embody His justice) nor preserve the wicked (who violate it). Romans 8:38-39 expounds this: nothing can separate us from God's love.