Their sword shall enter into their own heart, and their bows shall be broken.

PSALMS 37:15KJV
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Psalms 37:15 (KJV)

What does Psalms 37:15 mean?

Psalms 37:15 says that those who plan harm against others will end up being hurt by their own actions, and their means of violence will be destroyed. The verse uses the image of swords turning back on their owners and bows being broken to show that evil plans often backfire.

This verse is part of a psalm where David is encouraging people not to worry about those who do wrong or seem to prosper through wickedness. David is speaking to the community of Israel, reassuring them that God sees injustice and will bring about a reversal, where the tools of the wicked become useless and their violence returns upon themselves.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 37:15

  • sword (חֶרֶב, cherev): This word means "sword," a symbol of violence or aggression. The verse pictures the sword not harming others, but turning back on its owner, highlighting the self-destructive nature of evil.
  • enter (בּוֹא, bo): This verb means "to come" or "to enter." Here, it emphasizes that the harm intended for others actually enters the heart of the one who wields the sword.
  • heart (לֵב, lev): In Hebrew thought, "heart" often means the center of a person’s being, not just emotions. The verse suggests that the consequences of violence reach deep into the person, affecting their innermost self.
  • bows (קֶשֶׁת, qeshet): The bow, another weapon, is pictured as being "broken," showing that the tools of violence will be rendered useless.
  • broken (שָׁבַר, shavar): This word means "to break" or "to destroy." The breaking of the bow underlines the complete failure of the wicked’s plans.

Why Psalms 37:15 matters

  • Psalms 37:15 clears up the idea that those who do wrong will always succeed; instead, it shows that their own actions can bring about their downfall.
  • The verse emphasizes that God is just and actively overturns evil, not just passively observing.
  • This verse connects to the larger theme of Psalms 37, which reassures readers that trusting in God is wiser than envying those who seem to get ahead through wrongdoing.

Where else these words appear

“bows” Hebrew H7198 · used in 74 verses

  • Genesis 9:13 I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth.
  • 2 Chronicles 17:17 And of Benjamin; Eliada a mighty man of valour, and with him armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand.
  • Isaiah 66:19 And I will set a sign among them, and I will send those that escape of them unto the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, that draw the bow, to Tubal, and Javan, to the isles afar off, that have not heard my fame, neither have seen my glory; and they shall declare my glory among the Gentiles.

“broken” Hebrew H7665 · used in 145 verses

  • Genesis 19:9 And they said, Stand back. And they said again, This one fellow came in to sojourn, and he will needs be a judge: now will we deal worse with thee, than with them. And they pressed sore upon the man, even Lot, and came near to break the door.
  • Psalms 34:20 He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken.
  • Jeremiah 30:8 For it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD of hosts, that I will break his yoke from off thy neck, and will burst thy bonds, and strangers shall no more serve themselves of him: