Commentaries:
Adam Clarke
Mark the perfect man - Him who is described above. Take notice of him: he is perfect in his soul, God having saved him from all sin, and filled him with his own love and image. And he is upright in his conduct; and his end, die when he may or where he may, is peace, quietness, and assurance for ever.
Almost all the Versions translate the Hebrew after this manner: Preserve innocence, and keep equity in view; for the man of peace shall leave a numerous posterity.
Bishop Horsley thus translates: "Keep (thy) loyalty, and look well to (thy) integrity; for a posterity is (appointed) for the perfect man." He comes nearer to the original in his note on this verse: "Keep innocency, and regard uprightness; for the perfect man hath a posterity:" "but the rebellious shall be destroyed together; the posterity of the wicked shall be cut off," Psalms 37:38.
Dr. Kennicott' s note is," acharith , which we render latter end, is posterity, Psalms 109:13. The wicked and all his race to be destroyed, the pious man to have a numerous progeny, see his sons' sons to the third and fourth generation. See Job 8:19; Job 18:13-20."
I think the original cannot possibly bear our translation. I shall produce it here, with the literal version of Montanus: -
\trowd \trgaph36 \trleft-36 x595 x1217 x2430 x3054 x3824 x4618 x5580 x6275
d pax viro novissimum quia; rectum vide et, integrum cutodi
d \row \trowd \trgaph36 \trleft-36 x595 x1217 x2430 x3054 x3824 x4618 x5580 x6275
d
d \row
d The nearest translation to this is that of the Septuagint and Vulgate: , , ̔ ͅ ͅ· Custodi innocentiam, et vide aequitatem; quoniam, sunt reliquiae homini pacifico . "Preserve innocence, and behold equity; seeing there is a posterity to the pacific man." The Syriac says, "Observe simplicity, and choose rectitude; seeing there is a good end to the man of peace." The reader may choose. Our common version, in my opinion, cannot be sustained. The Psalms 37:38 seems to confirm the translation of the Septuagint and the Vulgate, which are precisely the same in meaning; therefore I have given one translation for both.
The old Psalter deserves a place also: Kepe unnoyandnes, and se evenhede; for tha celykes er til a pesful man.
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