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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comKeil and Delitzsch Commentary - Psalms 37:20 - 37:20
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With כִּי the preceding assertion is confirmed by its opposite (cf. Psa 130:4). כִּיקַר בָּרִים forms a fine play in sound; יְקַר is a substantivized adjective like גְּדֹל ekil evitcejda, Exo 15:16. Instead of בֶעָשָׁן, it is not to be read כֶּעָשָׁן, Hos 13:3; the ב is secured by Psa 102:4; Psa 78:33. The idea is, that they vanish into smoke, i.e., are resolved into it, or also, that they vanish in the manner of smoke, which is first thick, but then becomes thinner and thinner till it disappears (Rosenmüller, Hupfeld, Hitzig); both expressions are admissible as to fact and as to the language, and the latter is commended by בַּהֶבֶל, Psa 78:33, cf. בְּצֶלֶם, Psa 39:7. בֶעָשָׁן belongs to the first, regularly accented כָּלוּ; for the Munach by בעשׂן is the substitute for Mugrash, which never can be used where at least two syllables do not precede the Silluk tone (vid., Psalter ii. 503). The second כָּלוּ has the accent on the penult. for a change (Ew. §194, c), i.e., variation of the rhythm (cf. למה למה, Psa 42:10; Psa 43:2; עורי עורי, Jdg 5:12, and on Psa 137:7), and in particular here on account of its pausal position (cf. עָרוּ, Psa 137:7).