Psalms 37:38
But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off.
Original Language Analysis
וּֽ֭פֹשְׁעִים
But the transgressors
H6586
וּֽ֭פֹשְׁעִים
But the transgressors
Strong's:
H6586
Word #:
1 of 6
to break away (from just authority), i.e., trespass, apostatize, quarrel
Cross References
Proverbs 14:32The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death.Psalms 52:5God shall likewise destroy thee for ever, he shall take thee away, and pluck thee out of thy dwelling place, and root thee out of the land of the living. Selah.Psalms 9:17The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.
Historical Context
The Flood (Genesis 6-8), Sodom (Genesis 19), Korah's rebellion (Numbers 16), and Babylonian conquest demonstrated God's willingness to "cut off" persistent rebels. The wilderness generation died together (Numbers 14:29-35). History repeatedly validates this warning.
Questions for Reflection
- How does certainty of final judgment shape your view of current injustices going unpunished?
- What distinguishes God's patience with sinners from tolerance of ongoing rebellion against him?
- How should Christians communicate this difficult truth with both honesty and compassion?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
But the transgressors shall be destroyed together (וּפֹשְׁעִים נִשְׁמְדוּ יַחְדָּו, u-fosh'im nishmadu yachdav)—Posh'im are rebels, willful transgressors; shamad means utterly destroyed. Yachdav (together) suggests comprehensive judgment. The end of the wicked shall be cut off (אַחֲרִית רְשָׁעִים נִכְרָתָה, acharit resha'im nikhratah)—Karat means cut off—covenant language for divine curse (Genesis 17:14).
This provides dark counterpoint to verse 37. The same word acharit (end) leads to opposite destinations: peace versus cutting off. The passive voice emphasizes divine agency—God acts as Judge. Revelation 20:11-15 depicts this final cutting off at the Great White Throne.