Psalms 37:15
Psalms 37:15 in Multiple Translations
But their swords will pierce their own hearts, and their bows will be broken.
Their sword shall enter into their own heart, and their bows shall be broken.
Their sword shall enter into their own heart, And their bows shall be broken.
But their swords will be turned into their hearts, and their bows will be broken.
But the swords of the wicked will slice through their own hearts, and their bows will be broken.
But their sword shall enter into their owne heart, and their bowes shalbe broken.
Their sword doth enter into their own heart, And their bows are shivered.
Their sword shall enter into their own heart. Their bows shall be broken.
Their sword shall enter into their own heart, and their bows shall be broken.
And I became as a man that heareth not: and that hath no reproofs in his mouth.
But they will be killed by their own swords/daggers, and their bows will be broken.
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 37:15
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Psalms 37:15 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
חַ֭רְבָּ/ם
תָּב֣וֹא
בְ/לִבָּ֑/ם
וְ֝/קַשְּׁתוֹתָ֗/ם
תִּשָּׁבַֽרְנָה
חַ֭רְבָּ/ם
chereb
H2719
sword
N-fs | Suff
תָּב֣וֹא
bôwʼ
H935
Lebo
V-Qal-Imperf-3fs
בְ/לִבָּ֑/ם
lêb
H3820
heart
Prep | N-ms | Suff
וְ֝/קַשְּׁתוֹתָ֗/ם
qesheth
H7198
bow
Conj | N-fp | Suff
תִּשָּׁבַֽרְנָה
shâbar
H7665
to break
V-Niphal-Imperf-3fp
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 37:15
חַ֭רְבָּ/ם
chereb
H2719
"sword"
N-fs | Suff
A sword or cutting instrument is what this Hebrew word refers to, including knives and tools for cutting stone. It is used in the Bible to describe weapons and sharp objects.
Definition: 1) sword, knife 1a) sword 1b) knife 1c) tools for cutting stone
Usage: Occurs in 372 OT verses. KJV: axe, dagger, knife, mattock, sword, tool. See also: Genesis 3:24; 2 Samuel 2:16; Psalms 7:13.
תָּב֣וֹא
bôwʼ
H935
"Lebo"
V-Qal-Imperf-3fs
This verb means to go or come, and is used in many contexts, such as entering a place or approaching someone, as seen in the book of Genesis. It can also mean to abide or apply, and is translated in various ways in the KJV Bible. This term is related to the name Lebo Hamath.
Definition: A shortened name of Lebo Hamath complined withcha.mat (חֲמָת "Hamath" H2574) This name means to go in, enter
Usage: Occurs in 2307 OT verses. KJV: abide, apply, attain, [idiom] be, befall, [phrase] besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, [idiom] certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out, upon, to pass), depart, [idiom] doubtless again, [phrase] eat, [phrase] employ, (cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be fallen, fetch, [phrase] follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war), grant, [phrase] have, [idiom] indeed, (in-) vade, lead, lift (up), mention, pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, [idiom] (well) stricken (in age), [idiom] surely, take (in), way. See also: Genesis 2:19; Genesis 32:7; Exodus 1:19.
בְ/לִבָּ֑/ם
lêb
H3820
"heart"
Prep | N-ms | Suff
Leb refers to the heart, but also represents feelings, will, and intellect in the Bible. It is used figuratively to describe the center of something, and is often translated as heart or mind. Leb is a complex concept that encompasses emotions and thoughts.
Definition: 1) inner man, mind, will, heart, understanding 1a) inner part, midst 1a1) midst (of things) 1a2) heart (of man) 1a3) soul, heart (of man) 1a4) mind, knowledge, thinking, reflection, memory 1a5) inclination, resolution, determination (of will) 1a6) conscience 1a7) heart (of moral character) 1a8) as seat of appetites 1a9) as seat of emotions and passions 1a10) as seat of courage
Usage: Occurs in 552 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] care for, comfortably, consent, [idiom] considered, courag(-eous), friend(-ly), ((broken-), (hard-), (merry-), (stiff-), (stout-), double) heart(-ed), [idiom] heed, [idiom] I, kindly, midst, mind(-ed), [idiom] regard(-ed), [idiom] themselves, [idiom] unawares, understanding, [idiom] well, willingly, wisdom. See also: Genesis 6:5; 2 Samuel 13:33; Psalms 4:8.
וְ֝/קַשְּׁתוֹתָ֗/ם
qesheth
H7198
"bow"
Conj | N-fp | Suff
The Hebrew word for bow refers to a weapon used for hunting or battle, but also symbolizes strength and is used to describe a rainbow. In the Bible, it appears in Genesis and other books. It represents power and beauty.
Definition: 1) bow 1a) bow (for hunting, battle) 1b) bowmen, archers 1c) bow (fig. of might) 1d) rainbow
Usage: Occurs in 74 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] arch(-er), [phrase] arrow, bow(-man, -shot). See also: Genesis 9:13; Psalms 44:7; Psalms 7:13.
תִּשָּׁבַֽרְנָה
shâbar
H7665
"to break"
V-Niphal-Imperf-3fp
This word means to break or shatter something, either physically or emotionally. It can also mean to burst or rupture, and is often used to describe intense violence or destruction. In the Bible, it's translated as break or crush.
Definition: 1) to break, break in pieces 1a) (Qal) 1a1) break, break in or down, rend violently, wreck, crush, quench 1a2) to break, rupture (fig) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be broken, be maimed, be crippled, be wrecked 1b2) to be broken, be crushed (fig) 1c) (Piel) to shatter, break 1d) (Hiphil) to cause to break out, bring to the birth 1e) (Hophal) to be broken, be shattered Aramaic equivalent: te.var (תְּבַר "to break" H8406)
Usage: Occurs in 143 OT verses. KJV: break (down, off, in pieces, up), broken (-hearted), bring to the birth, crush, destroy, hurt, quench, [idiom] quite, tear, view (by mistake for H7663 (שָׂבַר)). See also: Genesis 19:9; Isaiah 27:11; Psalms 3:8.
Study Notes — Psalms 37:15
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 37:15 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 37:15
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 37:15
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 37:15
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 37:15
- Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 37:15
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 37:15
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 37:15
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 37:15
- Sermons on Psalms 37:15
Context — Delight Yourself in the LORD
13but the Lord laughs, seeing that their day is coming.
14The wicked have drawn the sword and bent the bow to bring down the poor and needy, to slay those whose ways are upright.
15But their swords will pierce their own hearts, and their bows will be broken.
16Better is the little of the righteous than the abundance of many who are wicked. 17For the arms of the wicked will be broken, but the LORD upholds the righteous.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalms 7:14–15 | Behold, the wicked man travails with evil; he conceives trouble and births falsehood. He has dug a hole and hollowed it out; he has fallen into a pit of his own making. |
| 2 | Psalms 35:8 | May ruin befall them by surprise; may the net they hid ensnare them; may they fall into the hazard they created. |
| 3 | Jeremiah 51:56 | For a destroyer is coming against her— against Babylon. Her warriors will be captured, and their bows will be broken, for the LORD is a God of retribution; He will repay in full. |
| 4 | Hosea 1:5 | And on that day I will break the bow of Israel in the Valley of Jezreel.” |
| 5 | Psalms 46:9 | He makes wars to cease throughout the earth; He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; He burns the shields in the fire. |
| 6 | 2 Samuel 17:23 | When Ahithophel saw that his advice had not been followed, he saddled his donkey and set out for his house in his hometown. He put his affairs in order and hanged himself. So he died and was buried in his father’s tomb. |
| 7 | Hosea 2:18 | On that day I will make a covenant for them with the beasts of the field and the birds of the air and the creatures that crawl on the ground. And I will abolish bow and sword and weapons of war in the land, and will make them lie down in safety. |
| 8 | 1 Samuel 31:4 | Then Saul said to his armor-bearer, “Draw your sword and run it through me, or these uncircumcised men will come and run me through and torture me!” But his armor-bearer was terrified and refused to do it. So Saul took his own sword and fell on it. |
| 9 | Matthew 27:4–5 | “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood,” he said. “What is that to us?” they replied. “You bear the responsibility.” So Judas threw the silver into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself. |
| 10 | 1 Samuel 2:4 | The bows of the mighty are broken, but the feeble are equipped with strength. |
Psalms 37:15 Summary
[This verse means that when people do bad things, they will eventually hurt themselves, like it says in Psalms 37:15. This is because the Lord is just and will not let evil people succeed forever, as seen in Psalms 37:17 and Proverbs 26:27. We can trust in the Lord's justice and live good lives, knowing that He will take care of us, just like it says in Romans 12:19 and Psalms 37:17.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for the swords of the wicked to pierce their own hearts?
This means that the wicked will ultimately be harmed by their own evil actions, as seen in Psalms 37:15, and it is a fulfillment of the principle stated in Proverbs 26:27, that those who dig a pit for others will fall into it themselves.
Why will the bows of the wicked be broken?
The bows of the wicked will be broken because the Lord opposes the proud and will not allow their evil plans to succeed, as stated in Psalms 37:17 and James 4:6-10.
Is this verse promising that all wicked people will be immediately punished?
No, this verse is not promising immediate punishment, but rather it is stating that the wicked will ultimately be brought down by their own actions, as seen in the context of Psalms 37:13-17 and supported by verses like Ecclesiastes 8:11-13.
How can we apply this verse to our own lives?
We can apply this verse by trusting in the Lord's justice and not taking matters into our own hands, as stated in Romans 12:19, and by living uprightly, knowing that the Lord will ultimately uphold the righteous, as seen in Psalms 37:17.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I have seen the wicked 'pierce their own hearts' or suffer the consequences of their own actions?
- How can I trust in the Lord's justice and not take revenge into my own hands, especially when I see the wicked prospering?
- What are some ways that I can 'live uprightly' and trust in the Lord's upholding, as stated in Psalms 37:17?
- How does the promise of this verse give me hope and comfort in the face of evil and injustice?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 37:15
Their sword shall enter into their own heart,.... As Saul's did into his, 1 Samuel 31:4; and their bows shall be broken; the meaning is, that their efforts shall be fruitless, and their attempts in
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 37:15
The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, and to slay such as be of upright conversation.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 37:15
God will not only defend the upright from their mischievous designs, but will make them to fall upon their own heads.
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 37:15
Psalms 37:15 Their sword shall enter into their own heart, and their bows shall be broken.Ver. 15. Their sword shall enter into their own heart] As did Saul’ s, and his armourbearer’ s, 1 Samuel 31:4-5 see Psalms 7:1. Per quod quis peccat, per idem punitur et ipse. And their bows shall be broken] Neither their bows only, but their arms also, Psalms 37:17. They shall utterly be disarmed and disabled when once God takes them to do; which is commonly when they are at the strongest and most confident.
Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 37:15
(15) Their sword.—The lex talionis. (Comp. Psalms 7:15-16.)
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 37:15
Verse 15. Their sword shall enter into their own heart] All their execrations and maledictions shall fall upon themselves, and their power to do mischief shall be broken.
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 37:15
12–20. Disappointment and destruction are the destiny of the wicked.
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 37:15
Their sword shall enter into their own heart - Their purposes will recoil on themselves; or they will themselves suffer what they had devised for others.
Sermons on Psalms 37:15
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Giving Birth to a Monster by Warren Wiersbe | Warren Wiersbe delivers a powerful sermon based on Psalms 7:10-17, emphasizing the consequences of sin and the importance of maintaining integrity in the face of persecution. The p |
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Transfiguration in the Holy Spirit by St. Seraphim of Sarov | St. Seraphim of Sarov explains to a seeker how to know if one is in the grace of the Holy Spirit, emphasizing the importance of seeking divine knowledge filled with love for God an |
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Standing Firm in Unsettling Times by Skip Heitzig | In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the recent events that have taken place and compares them to a movie trailer, a preview of what is to come. He divides the psalm into three |
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Therefore Pray by Don McClure | In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the marvel of God's plan and the importance of having a deep relationship with Him. The sermon begins by discussing the desire for an exchan |
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Your Battle Is the Lord’s (See 2 Chronicles 20:15) by David Wilkerson | David Wilkerson emphasizes that the battles we face are ultimately the Lord's, not ours. He draws from 2 Chronicles 20, where King Jehoshaphat and his people seek God in the face o |
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Leave the Battle in God's Hands by David Wilkerson | David Wilkerson emphasizes the importance of leaving our battles in God's hands, reminding us that He is the one who makes wars cease, as stated in Psalms 46:9. He explains that th |
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Ii Samuel 17:23 by Chuck Smith | Chuck Smith discusses the tragic story of Ahithophel, a once-trusted advisor to King David who became a poor loser after aligning himself with Absalom. Despite his wisdom, Ahithoph |