Psalm 37:21
 Psalm 37:21 
New International Version (©2011)
The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous give generously;

New Living Translation (©2007)
The wicked borrow and never repay, but the godly are generous givers.

English Standard Version (©2001)
The wicked borrows but does not pay back, but the righteous is generous and gives;

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
The wicked borrows and does not pay back, But the righteous is gracious and gives.

King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth.

Holman Christian Standard Bible (©2009)
The wicked man borrows and does not repay, but the righteous one is gracious and giving.

International Standard Version (©2012)
The wicked borrow but never pay back; but the righteous are generous and give.

NET Bible (©2006)
Evil men borrow, but do not repay their debt, but the godly show compassion and are generous.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English (©2010)
The wicked borrows and does not repay and the righteous shows mercy and gives.

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
A wicked person borrows, but he does not repay. A righteous person is generous and giving.

King James 2000 Bible (©2003)
The wicked borrows, and pays not again: but the righteous shows mercy, and gives.

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

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

Douay-Rheims Bible
The sinner shall borrow, and not pay again; but the just sheweth mercy and shall give.

Darby Bible Translation
The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again; but the righteous is gracious and giveth:

English Revised Version
The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous dealeth graciously, and giveth.

Webster's Bible Translation
The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous showeth mercy, and giveth.

World English Bible
The wicked borrow, and don't pay back, but the righteous give generously.

Young's Literal Translation
The wicked is borrowing and repayeth not, And the righteous is gracious and giving.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

37:21-33 The Lord our God requires that we do justly, and render to all their due. It is a great sin for those that are able, to deny the payment of just debts; it is a great misery not to be able to pay them. He that is truly merciful, will be ever merciful. We must leave our sins; learn to do well, and cleave to it. This is true religion. The blessing of God is the spring, sweetness, and security of all earthly enjoyments. And if we are sure of this, we are sure not to want any thing good for us in this world. By his grace and Holy Spirit, he directs the thoughts, affections, and designs of good men. By his providence he overrules events, so as to make their way plain. He does not always show them his way for a distance, but leads them step by step, as children are led. God will keep them from being ruined by their falls, either into sin or into trouble, though such as fall into sin will be sorely hurt. Few, if any, have known the consistent believer, or his children, reduced to abject, friendless want. God forsakes not his saints in affliction; and in heaven only the righteous shall dwell for ever; that will be their everlasting habitation. A good man may fall into the hands of a messenger of Satan, and be sorely buffeted, but God will not leave him in his enemy's hands.


Pulpit Commentary

Verse 21. - The wicked borroweth, and pay-eth not again. The wicked man borrows with a light heart, though he may have no prospect of ever being able to repay. Living under God's curse (ver. 22), he is for the most part not able to repay; when he happens to be able, he is often not willing. But the righteous showeth mercy, and giveth (comp. Psalm 112:5, 9). The righteous has not often need to borrow (see Deuteronomy 15:6; Deuteronomy 28:12, 44). Rather, he lends and gives freely.


Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again,.... While the wicked live, they are scandalous; they live by borrowing, which was always reckoned mean; see Deuteronomy 28:12; and what is worse, as they borrow, they do not design to repay; they take no care nor thought about that, but live upon what they borrow: for this either expresses their incapacity that they cannot pay; or the evil disposition of their mind, which rather seems to be the sense, that they will not pay;

but the righteous showeth mercy, and giveth; which not only argues capacity and ability, but a kind, merciful, and tender spirit to persons in distress, and is expressive of a generous action.


Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

21, 22. payeth not—not able; having grown poor (compare De 15:7). Ability of the one and inability of the other do not exclude moral dispositions. God's blessing or cursing makes the difference.


Psalm 37:21 Parallel Commentaries

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Don't Fret Because of Evildoers
20But 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. 21The wicked borrows, and pays not again: but the righteous shows mercy, and gives. 22For such as be blessed of him shall inherit the earth; and they that be cursed of him shall be cut off. …

Psalm 37:26 They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be a blessing.
Psalm 112:5 Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely, who conduct their affairs with justice.
Psalm 112:9 They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor, their righteousness endures forever; their horn will be lifted high in honor.