What Does Psalm 37:35-36 Mean?
The meaning of Psalm 37:35-36 is that even when a wicked person seems strong and successful, like a flourishing laurel tree, their prosperity is temporary. The psalmist notes that the proud man disappeared quickly, leaving no trace, showing that lasting success comes only to those who trust the Lord (Psalm 37:34).
Psalm 37:35-36
I have seen a wicked, ruthless man, spreading himself like a green laurel tree. But he passed away, and behold, he was no more; though I sought him, he could not be found.
Key Facts
Book
Author
David
Genre
Wisdom
Date
Approximately 1000 BC
Key People
Key Themes
Key Takeaways
- Wicked success is temporary, like a withering tree.
- God sees the end; trust His timing.
- True security comes from trusting God, not power.
Context of Psalm 37:35-36
Psalm 37 is a wisdom poem that reassures us God is in control, especially when life feels unfair and evil people seem to be winning.
The whole psalm repeats a comforting message: don’t worry when the wicked prosper because their success won’t last. Psalm 37:2 says evildoers wither like green herb, and verse 35 describes a ruthless person spreading himself like a tall, impressive green laurel tree.
But by verse 36, that same man is gone - no trace, no legacy - proving once again that lasting life belongs only to those who trust the Lord.
The Wicked Like a Green Laurel Tree: A Fleeting Image of Power
Building on the earlier picture of evildoers fading like grass, Psalm 37:35-36 uses a vivid image - the wicked spreading like a green laurel tree - to show how powerful and secure evil can appear in the short term.
Because the laurel tree symbolizes victory and honor, describing the wicked man as spreading himself like one implies he is proud, dominant, and admired, not merely successful. Yet this image is immediately undone in verse 36: 'But he passed away, and behold, he was no more; though I sought him, he could not be found.' This sudden disappearance illustrates synthetic parallelism, where the second line advances rather than repeats the first, showing the full arc from rise to ruin. Psalm 37:2 and 37:20 describe the wicked vanishing like smoke or withering grass; this passage reinforces that, however deeply the wicked take root, their end is certain.
Even the most impressive success built on pride and cruelty is just a flash in the pan.
The takeaway is simple: don’t be fooled by the temporary glow of evil success - real, lasting life only grows in the soil of trusting God.
Do Not Envy the Wicked: A Call to Trust God's Justice
The message of Psalm 37:35-36 goes beyond the fall of one proud man; it gently reminds us not to envy those who succeed through cruelty or pride, because their time is short.
God sees the unfairness of life. He calls us to trust that He will make things right in His time, as He promises in Psalm 37:7: 'Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him.' This same trust is echoed in Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 5:5 - 'The meek shall inherit the earth' - showing that true blessing belongs not to the powerful, but to those who rely on God.
Don’t be shaken when the wicked thrive - God sees their end, and it’s coming.
When we read this psalm, we see Jesus Himself in it - He lived without envy, without retaliation, trusting the Father completely, even when the wicked prospered and He suffered. In His life and resurrection, Jesus proves that God’s way wins in the end.
Living Out Psalm 37:35-36: Trusting God When Evil Seems to Win
The truth of Psalm 37:35-36 is meant to shape our daily lives, especially when we see arrogant or unkind people succeeding.
For example, when a coworker gains promotion through manipulation while you stay faithful and unnoticed, this verse reminds you that their success is temporary and God still sees you. When someone who spreads gossip or cuts corners appears popular, you can choose peace over bitterness, knowing their foundation won’t last, like the wicked in Psalm 1:4 who are 'like chaff that the wind drives away.'
When you choose not to envy the proud or panic over their power, you’re living out real faith.
In the same way, Jesus’ words on the cross in Luke 23:31 - 'For if they do these things in the green tree, what will happen in the dry?' - hint at this truth: if God allows even the innocent (the 'green tree') to suffer, how much more will judgment come on the spiritually dead? Trusting this frees us to live quietly, do good, and leave justice to God.
Application
How This Changes Everything: Real Life Impact
I remember a season when a colleague at work seemed to rise overnight - taking credit for others’ ideas, stepping on people to get ahead, and yet being praised like a hero. I felt the sting of injustice, and worse, the quiet pull of envy. But one day, reading Psalm 37:35-36, it hit me: that man’s success was like a fast-growing weed - impressive at first, but shallow and temporary. A year later, he was gone, his reputation in ruins, and no one missed him. Meanwhile, my choice to stay faithful, kind, and patient wasn’t unnoticed by God. This verse changed how I view success - it’s not about how high you climb, but whether your life has roots that last. Now, when I see someone thriving through pride or cruelty, I don’t panic or compare. I remember: God sees the end from the beginning, and He’s never late.
Personal Reflection
- When have I recently felt envious of someone who seems successful but lacks integrity?
- What small act of faithfulness can I choose today, even if it goes unnoticed?
- How does knowing that the wicked will not last change the way I handle injustice right now?
A Challenge For You
This week, when you notice someone gaining attention or success through pride or dishonesty, pause and silently pray: 'God, keep my heart steady. Help me trust Your timing.' Then, do one quiet, faithful act - encourage someone overlooked, complete a task with integrity, or give without recognition - because it is right.
A Prayer of Response
Lord, I confess I sometimes envy those who seem to win by cutting corners or pushing others down. Forgive me for doubting Your justice when the wicked thrive. Help me remember that no one lasts forever but You. Give me peace as I trust Your timing. Anchor my life in Your faithfulness, not the shifting shadows of worldly success. Amen.
Related Scriptures & Concepts
Immediate Context
Psalm 37:34
Calls the righteous to wait for the Lord, promising they will inherit the land when the wicked are cut off.
Psalm 37:37
Urges marking the blameless, showing the contrast between the wicked man's end and the peace of the upright.
Connections Across Scripture
Isaiah 40:6-8
All flesh is like grass that fades, reinforcing the fleeting image of the flourishing wicked.
Matthew 5:5
Jesus affirms the meek will inherit the earth, fulfilling the promise contrasted with the wicked's end.
Luke 23:31
Jesus speaks of judgment on the spiritually dry, echoing the sudden vanishing of the wicked.