Psalms 37:21 (ASV)

Passage

The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again; But the righteous dealeth graciously, and giveth.

Nearby Context

Psalms 37:19 They shall not be put to shame in the time of evil; And in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.

Psalms 37:20 But the wicked shall perish, And the enemies of Jehovah shall be as the fat of lambs: They shall consume; In smoke shall they consume away.

Psalms 37:21 The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again; But the righteous dealeth graciously, and giveth.

Psalms 37:22 For such as are blessed of him shall inherit the land; And they that are cursed of him shall be cut off.

Psalms 37:23 A man`s goings are established of Jehovah; And he delighteth in his way.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "wicked", "borroweth", "payeth", "again", "righteous", "dealeth", "graciously", and "giveth". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "wicked" and "borroweth", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 20's "But the wicked shall perish And the..." into verse 22's "For such as are blessed of him...", so "wicked" and "borroweth" belong inside that flow. In Psalms context, the local focus is worship, trust, the LORD's kingship, and covenant mercy.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "wicked" and "borroweth" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.