Mazmur 37:13-15

37:13 The Lord laughs in disgust ¹  at them,

for he knows that their day is coming. ² 

37:14 Evil men draw their swords

and prepare their bows,

to bring down ³  the oppressed and needy,

and to slaughter those who are godly. ⁴ 

37:15 Their swords will pierce ⁵  their own hearts,

and their bows will be broken.

[37:13]  ¹ 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.

[37:13]  ² 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.

[37:14]  ³ tn Heb “to cause to fall.”

[37:14]  ⁴ tn Heb “the upright in way,” i.e., those who lead godly lives.

[37:15]  ⁵ tn Heb “enter into.”