What does Psalm 37:15 mean?

Completing a contrast begun in the prior verse (Psalm 37:14), David states that the wicked who take up arms against the righteous will die by their own weapons. Sometimes, this happens in the most literal sense. In other times, it happens through corrupt laws, traditions, or customs which eventually are used against those who institute them.

A classic biblical example of this comes to us from the book of Esther. Haman, who plotted to kill Mordecai and the rest of the Jews, even built 75-foot tall gallows to hang Mordecai. But the Lord turned the tables on Haman. Queen Esther reported Haman's evil plot to the king, and upon hearing of Haman's plot, ordered Haman's execution. Esther 7:10 reports: "So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai."

Peter drew a sword to defend Jesus, when soldiers came to the garden of Gethsemane to arrest Jesus, but Jesus told Peter to put his sword back in its place. He said, "For all who take the sword will perish by the sword" (Matthew 26:52). The Lord does not sit idly by while the wicked persecute the righteous. He declares, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay" (Romans 12:19).