Psalm 37 — Hebrew and Greek compared
Disparate in this chapter: 37:20, 37:22
Each card keeps the independently rendered source readings above their shared comparison and reception notes. The badge records the source’s governing classification; disparate readings are marked in red. Each reading retains its original reference.
Psalm 37
The inheritance of the humble
Verse 37:1 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[37:1] Of David.
Do not compete with evildoers;
do not envy those who commit injustice.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[36:1] Of David.
Do not be provoked to envy by those doing evil,
nor envy those committing lawlessness.
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Competing follows Rashi's reading of the Hebrew as imitation of evildoers' success; fretting is another lexical interpretation (RASHI-PS37, 37:1).
Verse 37:2 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[37:2] For like grass they will quickly be cut down,
and like green vegetation they will wither.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[36:2] For like grass they will quickly dry up,
and like green plants they will quickly fall away.
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Hebrew begins with cutting down; Greek with drying up and repeats quickly.
Verse 37:3 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[37:3] Trust in YHWH and do good;
dwell in the land and feed on faithfulness.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[36:3] Hope in the Lord and do kindness;
settle in the land, and you will be pastured on its wealth.
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Hebrew's nourishment is faithfulness; Greek's is the land's wealth. Rashi connects Hebrew feeding with sustenance through trust in God while doing good (RASHI-PS37, 37:3).
Verse 37:4 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[37:4] Delight yourself in YHWH,
and He will give you the requests of your heart.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[36:4] Delight yourself in the Lord,
and He will give you the requests of your heart.
Classification & Notes
Same. Text: The invitation and promise agree.
Verse 37:5 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[37:5] Roll your way upon YHWH;
trust in Him, and He will act.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[36:5] Reveal your way to the Lord;
hope in Him, and He will act.
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Hebrew pictures transferring a burden; Greek disclosing one's way.
Verse 37:6 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[37:6] He will bring out your righteousness like light,
and your judgment like noon.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[36:6] He will bring out your righteousness like light,
and your judgment like noon.
Classification & Notes
Same. Text: The imagery of publicly manifest vindication agrees.
Verse 37:7 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[37:7] Wait for YHWH and hope for Him;
do not compete with one whose way prospers,
with a man carrying out schemes.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[36:7] Submit to the Lord and beseech Him;
do not be provoked to envy by one prospering in his way,
by a person committing lawless deeds.
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Hebrew waiting and hoping follows Rashi, who also reports the alternative silence reading; Greek commands submission and supplication (RASHI-PS37, 37:7).
Verse 37:8 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[37:8] Let go of anger and abandon wrath;
do not compete, only to do evil.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[36:8] Cease from anger and abandon wrath;
do not be provoked to envy so as to act wickedly.
Classification & Notes
Similar. Text: Both prohibit the anger or rivalry that leads to evil.
Verse 37:9 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[37:9] For evildoers will be cut off,
but those who wait for YHWH will inherit the land.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[36:9] For those doing evil will be destroyed,
but those who wait for the Lord will inherit the land.
Classification & Notes
Similar. Text: The contrasting destinies agree.
Verse 37:10 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[37:10] A little longer, and the wicked person is gone;
you will look carefully at his place, and he is not there.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[36:10] A little longer, and the sinner will certainly not exist;
you will seek his place and certainly not find it.
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Hebrew ends with the person's absence; Greek ends with failure to find his place.
Verse 37:11 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[37:11] But the humble will inherit the land
and delight themselves in abundant peace.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[36:11] But the meek will inherit the land
and delight themselves in abundant peace.
Classification & Notes
Similar. Text: Humble and meek have closely related senses. Reception: Jesus' blessing of the meek in Matthew 5:5 repeats the promise of inheriting the earth (SBL-MATT-PS, 5:1–5).
Verse 37:12 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[37:12] The wicked person plots against the righteous
and gnashes his teeth at him.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[36:12] The sinner will watch the righteous closely
and gnash his teeth at him.
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Hebrew names plotting; Greek hostile observation.
Verse 37:13 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[37:13] The Lord laughs at him,
for He sees that his day is coming.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[36:13] But the Lord will laugh him to scorn,
for He foresees that his day will come.
Classification & Notes
Similar. Text: Both ground divine laughter in knowledge of the enemy's approaching day.
Verse 37:14 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[37:14] The wicked have drawn the sword and bent their bow,
to bring down the poor and needy,
to slaughter those upright in their way.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[36:14] The sinners drew a sword and stretched their bow,
to cast down the poor and needy,
to slaughter the upright in heart.
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Hebrew describes an upright way; Greek an upright heart.
Verse 37:15 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[37:15] Their sword will enter their own heart,
and their bows will be broken.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[36:15] May their sword enter their own heart,
and may their bows be shattered.
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Hebrew predicts reversal; Greek expresses it as a wish.
Verse 37:16 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[37:16] Better is a little for the righteous
than the abundance of many wicked people.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[36:16] Better is a little for the righteous
than the great wealth of sinners.
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Greek explicitly names wealth; Hebrew abundance is broader. Rashi understands the contrast as a few allies of the righteous overcoming a wicked multitude (RASHI-PS37, 37:16).
Verse 37:17 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[37:17] For the arms of the wicked will be broken,
but YHWH supports the righteous.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[36:17] For the arms of sinners will be shattered,
but the Lord sustains the righteous.
Classification & Notes
Similar. Text: The destruction of hostile strength and divine support agree.
Verse 37:18 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[37:18] YHWH knows the days of the blameless,
and their inheritance will last forever.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[36:18] The Lord knows the ways of the blameless,
and their inheritance will last forever.
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Hebrew days and Greek ways differ.
Verse 37:19 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[37:19] They will not be ashamed in an evil time,
and in days of famine they will be satisfied.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[36:19] They will not be put to shame in an evil time,
and in days of famine they will be filled.
Classification & Notes
Same. Text: Both promise provision through disaster and famine.
Verse 37:20 Disparate
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[37:20] For the wicked will perish;
YHWH's enemies are like the fleeting brightness of the plains:
they vanish into smoke, they vanish.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[36:20] For sinners will perish;
the Lord's enemies, as soon as they are glorified and exalted,
vanished away like smoke—they vanished.
Classification & Notes
Disparate. Text: Hebrew's fleeting landscape image differs from Greek's ruin at the moment of exaltation. The Hebrew follows Rashi's fading dawn brightness; he also reports the alternative glory of fattened lambs (RASHI-PS37, 37:20).
Verse 37:21 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[37:21] The wicked person borrows and does not repay,
but the Righteous One is gracious and gives.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[36:21] The sinner borrows and will not repay,
but the righteous person has compassion and gives.
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Hebrew the Righteous One follows Rashi's identification with God, who restores the lender's loss. A human righteous person is also grammatically possible and is retained in Greek (RASHI-PS37, 37:21).
Verse 37:22 Disparate
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[37:22] For those blessed by Him will inherit the land,
and those cursed by Him will be cut off.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[36:22] For those blessing him will inherit the land,
but those cursing him will be destroyed.
Classification & Notes
Disparate. Text: Hebrew names recipients of blessing and cursing; Greek names people performing those acts. Greek's referent remains pronominal.
Verse 37:23 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[37:23] A man's steps are established by YHWH,
and He delights in his way.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[36:23] A person's steps are directed by the Lord,
and He will desire his way.
Classification & Notes
Similar. Text: Both connect the person's course with God's direction and approval.
Verse 37:24 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[37:24] Though he falls, he will not be cast down,
for YHWH supports his hand.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[36:24] When he falls, he will not be dashed down,
for the Lord supports his hand.
Classification & Notes
Similar. Text: Conditional and temporal phrasing differ slightly; the protection agrees.
Verse 37:25 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[37:25] I was young and have also grown old,
yet I have not seen a righteous person abandoned
or his offspring seeking bread.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[36:25] I was young and indeed have grown old,
and I have not seen a righteous person abandoned
or his offspring seeking loaves.
Classification & Notes
Similar. Text: The lifetime testimony agrees; Greek makes bread plural loaves.
Verse 37:26 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[37:26] All day long he is gracious and lends,
and his offspring are a blessing.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[36:26] All day long he shows mercy and lends,
and his offspring will be a blessing.
Classification & Notes
Similar. Text: Both join generosity with blessing upon the next generation.
Verse 37:27 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[37:27] Turn from evil and do good,
and dwell forever.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[36:27] Turn aside from evil and do good,
and dwell for age upon age.
Classification & Notes
Similar. Text: Greek intensifies the duration idiom.
Verse 37:28 Divergent
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[37:28] For YHWH loves justice
and will not abandon His faithful ones;
they are guarded forever,
but the offspring of the wicked are cut off.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[36:28] For the Lord loves judgment
and will not abandon His holy ones;
they will be guarded forever.
But the lawless will be driven out,
and the offspring of the ungodly will be destroyed.
Classification & Notes
Divergent. Text: Greek adds a complete clause about driving out the lawless.
Verse 37:29 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[37:29] The righteous will inherit the land
and dwell upon it forever.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[36:29] But the righteous will inherit the land
and dwell upon it for age upon age.
Classification & Notes
Similar. Text: The enduring inheritance agrees.
Verse 37:30 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[37:30] The mouth of the righteous meditates on wisdom,
and his tongue speaks justice.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[36:30] The mouth of the righteous will meditate on wisdom,
and his tongue will speak judgment.
Classification & Notes
Similar. Text: The wise and just speech agrees.
Verse 37:31 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[37:31] The instruction of his God is in his heart;
his steps do not slip.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[36:31] The law of his God is in his heart,
and his steps will not be tripped up.
Classification & Notes
Similar. Text: Greek pictures being tripped rather than slipping.
Verse 37:32 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[37:32] The wicked person watches the righteous
and seeks to put him to death.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[36:32] The sinner observes the righteous
and seeks to put him to death.
Classification & Notes
Same. Text: The lethal surveillance agrees.
Verse 37:33 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[37:33] YHWH will not abandon him into his hand,
nor condemn him when he is judged.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[36:33] But the Lord will certainly not abandon him into his hands,
nor condemn him when he comes to judgment with him.
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Greek explicitly retains a second party in the judicial encounter; the exact referent of with him remains unstated.
Verse 37:34 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[37:34] Wait for YHWH and keep His way;
He will raise you up to inherit the land;
you will see when the wicked are cut off.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[36:34] Wait for the Lord and keep His way;
He will exalt you to inherit the land;
you will see when sinners are destroyed.
Classification & Notes
Similar. Text: The exhortation and promised reversal agree.
Verse 37:35 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[37:35] I saw a ruthless wicked person,
spreading himself like a luxuriant native tree.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[36:35] I saw an ungodly person raised high
and lifting himself like the cedars of Lebanon.
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Hebrew names ruthlessness and a flourishing native tree; Greek emphasizes exaltation and specifies Lebanon's cedars.
Verse 37:36 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[37:36] He passed away, and look, he was gone;
I sought him, but he could not be found.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[36:36] I passed by, and look, he was gone;
I sought him, but his place could not be found.
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Hebrew has he passed away and he not found; Greek has I passed by and his place not found.
Verse 37:37 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[37:37] Watch the blameless person and observe the upright,
for a person of peace has a future.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[36:37] Guard innocence and look upon uprightness,
for a peaceful person has a remnant.
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Hebrew can direct attention to people; Greek names qualities. Future and remnant present the surviving outcome differently.
Verse 37:38 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[37:38] But rebels are destroyed together;
the future of the wicked is cut off.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[36:38] But the lawless will be destroyed together;
the remnants of the ungodly will be destroyed.
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Hebrew ends their future; Greek destroys their remnants.
Verse 37:39 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[37:39] The salvation of the righteous is from YHWH,
their stronghold in a time of trouble.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[36:39] But the salvation of the righteous is from the Lord,
and He is their defender in a time of affliction.
Classification & Notes
Similar. Text: Greek states the role conveyed by Hebrew's stronghold metaphor.
Verse 37:40 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[37:40] YHWH helps them and delivers them;
He delivers them from the wicked and saves them,
for they have taken refuge in Him.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[36:40] The Lord will help them and rescue them;
He will remove them from sinners
and save them, because they have hoped in Him.
Classification & Notes
Similar. Text: The closing rescue agrees with the established refuge/hope distinction.