Borrowing and Not Repaying - Psalms 37:21

In Psalms chapter thirty seven David said, “the wicked shall perish, and the enemies of the LORD shall be as the fat of lambs: they shall consume; into smoke shall they consume away”, and in chapter thirty seven and verse twenty-one of Psalms David said, “the wicked borrows, and pays not again” where we read,

The wicked borrows, and pays not again: but the righteous shows mercy, and gives.

The verse begins, “The wicked borrows, and pays not again:” David began with the words, “the wicked borrows” or “the people who are criminal, guilty of sin, ungodly and hostile to God and man join, attend and cleave to acquire, get and accept”, “and pays not again” or “but does not make good, requite, recompense or restore”. David said people who are evil and hostile to God and men do not repay that which they have acquired from others.

The verse continues, “but the righteous shows mercy, and gives.” David added the words, “but the righteous” or “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover people who are just, right, correct and lawful” “shows mercy” which means “favors, is gracious, pities and grants”, “and gives” or “and grants, bestows, ascribes, devotes, consecrates and lends”. David shared the contrast between people who are “right and correct” before Jehovah God with those who are “wicked”, and he told of their character of favor and giving verses “borrowing” and not “repaying” that which was received.

When we consider the words in this verse, we see how David addressed the spirit within “wicked” people verses “righteous” ones. “Wicked” people receive things from others and never have a mind to return or repay that which they accepted. “Righteous” people have a spirit of “mercy” or “favor” toward others and are looking for opportunities to “give” to them. God is a “merciful” and “giving” God, and He wants people to be like Him. He “gave” His Son Jesus to be crucified for the sins of the world, and anyone who believes and trusts in Him as their personal “Savior and Lord” will be forgiven of their sins and granted everlasting life with God. This is the ultimate gift, and if we desire to be like God, we must humble ourselves, receive Jesus as our “Savior” and allow Him to work His spirit in us so that we show favor and grace as we “give” to others in need.

Next time David says, “such as be blessed of him shall inherit the earth”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".