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11 But the oppressed will possess the land
and enjoy great prosperity.[a]
12 Evil men plot against the godly[b]
and viciously attack them.[c]
13 The Lord laughs in disgust[d] at them,
for he knows that their day is coming.[e]

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Footnotes

  1. Psalm 37:11 tn Heb “and they will take delight in (see v. 4) abundance of peace.”
  2. Psalm 37:12 tn Or “innocent.” The singular is used here in a representative sense; the typical evildoer and the typical godly individual are in view.
  3. Psalm 37:12 tn Heb “and gnashes at him with his teeth” (see Ps 35:16). The language may picture the evil men as wild animals. The active participles in v. 12 are used for purposes of dramatic description.
  4. Psalm 37:13 tn Heb “laughs.” As the next line indicates, this refers to derisive laughter (see 2:4). The Hebrew imperfect verbal form describes the action from the perspective of an eye-witness who is watching the divine response as it unfolds before his eyes.
  5. Psalm 37:13 tn Heb “for he sees that his day is coming.” As the following context makes clear (vv. 15, 17, 19-20), “his day” refers to the time when God will destroy evildoers.

11 But the meek will inherit the land(A)
    and enjoy peace and prosperity.(B)

12 The wicked plot(C) against the righteous
    and gnash their teeth(D) at them;
13 but the Lord laughs at the wicked,
    for he knows their day is coming.(E)

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