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Psalm 37:21

The wicked borrow, and don’t pay back, but the righteous give generously.

19They shall not be disappointed in the time of evil. In the days of famine they shall be satisfied.
20But the wicked shall perish. The enemies of the LORD shall be like the beauty of the fields. They will vanish— vanish like smoke.
21The wicked borrow, and don’t pay back, but the righteous give generously.
22For such as are blessed by him shall inherit the land. Those who are cursed by him shall be cut off.
23A man’s steps are established by the LORD. He delights in his way.
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← Psalm 37:20Psalm 37:22 →
Notice

Borrowing without repayment and giving with an open hand make the contrast between wickedness and righteousness concrete in the way people handle what they have.

Questions to write on. Each one opens a new entry with this verse already attached.

How does the contrast between unpaid borrowing and generous giving challenge your view of righteousness?

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What have you borrowed that still needs to be returned?

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What could generous giving look like with what you have this week?

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Connect

Where else Scripture says this

12 passages readers most often link with this verse, and the thread each one shares with it.

This verse's connections, by chapterThe Bible's strongest chapter linksHover or tap a book to trace it
Psalm 112:5It is well with the man who deals graciously and lends. He will maintain his cause in judgment.Both passages commend generosity in dealings with others, with Psalm 112 describing the person who lends with grace.
Hebrews 13:16But don’t forget to be doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.Both passages commend sharing with others; Hebrews adds that such sacrifices please God.
Matthew 5:42Give to him who asks you, and don’t turn away him who desires to borrow from you.Both passages address giving and borrowing, with Matthew directing the hearer to give and lend to those who ask.
Proverbs 22:7The rich rule over the poor. The borrower is servant to the lender.Both concern borrowing, though Proverbs describes the borrower’s dependence on the lender rather than repayment or generosity.
Matthew 6:2Therefore, when you do merciful deeds, don’t sound a trumpet before yourself, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may get …Both concern giving to others; Matthew addresses the desire for public praise when doing merciful deeds.
Deuteronomy 15:6For the LORD your God will bless you, as he promised you. You will lend to many nations, but you will not borrow. You will rule over many nations, but they …Both speak about borrowing, though Deuteronomy describes lending among nations under God’s blessing rather than individual repayment.
Psalm 112:9He has dispersed, he has given to the poor. His righteousness endures forever. His horn will be exalted with honor.Both link righteousness with giving, and Psalm 112 names the poor as those receiving help.
Luke 6:30Give to everyone who asks you, and don’t ask him who takes away your goods to give them back again.Both commend giving, while Luke also directs the hearer against demanding the return of goods taken.
Psalm 37:26All day long he deals graciously, and lends. His offspring is blessed.Both describe the righteous through generous dealings with others, with verse 26 adding gracious lending.
Deuteronomy 28:12Both mention borrowing, though Deuteronomy promises national abundance and lending rather than addressing unpaid debts.
2 Corinthians 8:9For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that you through his poverty might become rich.Both portray generosity that benefits others; Paul speaks of Christ becoming poor so others might become rich.
Micah 7:8Don’t rejoice against me, my enemy. When I fall, I will arise. When I sit in darkness, the LORD will be a light to me.The link is limited: Micah speaks to an enemy, while this proverb contrasts unpaid borrowing with generous giving.
Where this verse fits

An ordinary day. job loss or money fear. sermon or Bible study notes.

What the Bible says about money →
One step

Something small to carry out of this verse

Return one borrowed item to its owner

practicaloncelight
Encouragement

Being in debt alone is not what this verse condemns. God’s wisdom takes ordinary dealings seriously: the verse names borrowing without repayment and honors generosity as a mark of the righteous.

Now put it in your words.

Start an entry on Psalm 37:21. Write what it stirs. Psalmlog sets your words beside Scripture and gives you one next step. Your first entry is free, no account needed.

Keep goingPsalm 37 · the whole chapter with its connection mapPsalms · every chapterBuild a reading plan through Psalms

Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY). Scripture from the World English Bible (public domain). Arc diagram after Chris Harrison and Christoph Römhild (2007).