As with many other passages in Psalms and Proverbs, this passage encourages godly wisdom. Do not be an angry, vindictive individual (verse 8). Please enter your email address associated with your Salem All-Pass account, then click Continue. That they shall be preserved is affirmed, Ps 37:3,17,23,25,32. Matthew Henry. Other alphabet psalms are 9, 10, 25, 34, 111, 112, 119 and 145. This interpretation is shared by Protestants. The meaning here is, that we should seek our happiness in God - in his being, his perfections, his friendship, his love. A humble or meek person is like a strong but broken horse: powerful, yet submissive to its master’s touch. So shall thou dwell in the land, etc. Emigration, when referred to by the prophets (Jeremiah 25:5; Jeremiah 35:15), is always represented as compulsory, and it was a promise of preservation from it, not a warning against it, that the pious Israelite needed. A combination descriptive of holy living. Question: "What does it mean to delight yourself in the Lord (Psalm 37:4)?" Instead of allowing the mind to be disturbed and sad, because there are wicked men upon the earth; because they are prosperous and apparently happy; because they may injure you in your person or reputation Psalm 37:6, calmly confide in God. A manner of speech taken from cattle feeding securely, under the conduct and keeping of a good shepherd. of Have you noticed how often the Word of God calls us to trust in the Lord, to believe what He says in Scripture – to have faith in Him and in all that He says? Psalm 23:1, and, for the expression, Proverbs 15:14, “feedeth on foolishness.”) Possibly both were combined in the psalmist’s thought, for the faithfulness of God is the security of man. Thomas Secker (Archbishop), 1768. Jesus took Psalm 37:11 as His third Beatitude: “Blessed are the gentle [humble, meek], for they shall inherit the earth” (Matt. They are the best collection of poems and songs ever published and the greatest thing is that they are all Holy Spirit inspired! All rights reserved. 5:5). The Hebrew verb here has the sense of looking and hope. He was an old man when he wrote this Psalm (37:25). The overarching theme is not to become concerned at the propperity of the wicked and that YHWH will fulfill His promises of prosperity to the faithful (Deut. "Feed on truth," or the duty of choosing such provision. Psalm 37 is a response to the problem of evil, which the Old Testament often expresses as a question: why do the wicked prosper and the good suffer? And Psalm 37 is also a meditative or reflective psalm. "Fed on truth," or the spirituality of the provision. Verse 3. Barnes's Psalms 37:3 Bible Commentary Trust in the Lord - Confide in him; rest on him. Here he … "So shalt thou dwell in the land." 2 Similarly, the NRSV’s “wait” in verse 9 might better be translated as “expect” to reflect the ongoing activity of God. When we trust in the LORD to the point of delighting in him, our heart will go from carnal desires to wanting the right things. What does this verse really mean? (verses 2, 9-10, 13, 20, 28, 35-36, 38) We can know for a certainty that the unrighteous will get what is coming to them. True faith is actively obedient. How do you wait for God to do something? Present Age: Psalm 37:5: Commit your way to the LORD. The good shepherd will exercise his pastoral care over all believers. Doing good is a fine remedy for fretting. –Psalm 37:1-8. Thomas Scott (1744-1821) in loc. (l) "Pascere fide", Junius & Tremellius, Cocceius. So shalt thou dwell in the land. 3 The Hebrew word here is more usually translated as “righteousness.” And verily thou shalt be fed - Margin, "in truth or stableness." As you study the Psalms you learn that King David of Israel wrote many of them, such as in the case of Psalm 37. Verse 1 begins with the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet, verse 3 with the second letter, and so on. Psalm 37 - Of David. That is, abide safely or securely in the land - referring, perhaps, to "the land" as the land of promise - the country given to the people of God. Psalm 37:11; Psalm 37:18; Psalm 37:22.) In "the land" which floweth with milk and honey; the Canaan of the covenant. The "literal" meaning would be, "Feed on truth." Chuck Smith :: Sermon Notes for Psalm 37:1-7 ← Back to Chuck Smith's Bio & Resources "RESTING IN THE LORD" Intro: We are living in a world of turmoil, there are pressures brought against us daily that create anxiety, worry and fear. Use this table to get a word-for-word translation of the original Hebrew Scripture. S tudying the Psalms is a good way to reflect upon the goodness of the Lord. (Comp. shalt thou dwell—or, "dwell thou"; repose quietly. (c) To trust in God and do according to his will are sure signs that his providence will never fail us. 1 Hans-Joachim Kraus, Psalms 1-59: A Commentary (Minneapolis: Augsburg, 1988), 405. Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday." A combination descriptive of happy living. Normally, we think of hedonism as the idolatry of pleasure. Doing good is a fine remedy for fretting. In truth they shall be fed, and fed on truth. Thou shalt be fed. Interpretation. He knows that trusting in the Lord is the only secure place we have in a world that lies in the evil one. "Trust in the Lord." Psalm 37#This psalm is an acrostic poem, the stanzas of which begin with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet.Of David. Verse 3. This is the true order, the two must go together, the one produces, the other proves; the promise is to both. Note well the double precept trust and do. Psalms 37:3 (R.V.) "We which have believed do enter into rest." John Parkhurst. But in Psalm 37:3, the context is sufficiently vague that it is not clear at first which verb might be intended.” Last Sunday morning in Sunday school, one of the verses we looked at was Psalm 37:3. "feed on faith", Ainsworth. The righteous are preserved in Christ with a special preservation, and in a peculiar safety. There is a joy in holy activity which drives away the rust of discontent. The idea is, that they should abide there calmly and securely; that they should not worry themselves because there were wicked men upon the earth, and because they were successful, but that they should be thankful for their inheritance, and partake gratefully of the bounties which they receive from the hand of God. "And verily thou shall be fed," or shepherded. Verily thou shalt be fed, as Elijah in the famine, with what is needful for thee. Psalm 37:11; Psalm 37:18; Psalm 37:22.) Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Fed in plenty. And verily thou shalt be fed, or shepherded. C. H. S. Verse 3. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: The promise of God shall be their perpetual banquet; they shall neither lack in spirituals nor in temporals. In the thirty-seventh Psalm this point is excellently and largely handled, both by direct proof, and by answer to all the usual objections against their safety. Verse 3. Here is the second precept, and one appropriate to the occasion. Henry Ainsworth. It is out of our hands, so we need not concern ourselves over it. The land of Canaan was considered as the sum of earthly, and the type of heavenly felicity: to be provided for in the Lord's land, and there to dwell under his protection, near his ordinances, and among his people, was all that the genuine Israelite could desire. And do good. 2 Take hold of a shield and buckler. Article Images Copyright © 2021 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. We'll send you an email with steps on how to reset your password. So shalt thou dwell in the land - This would be more correctly translated as a command: "Dwell in the land." The term Christian Hedonism has been used to describe a righteous pursuit of satisfaction and pleasure, … There is a joy in holy activity which drives away the rust of discontent. God always gives the correct punishment at exactly the right time. .—The Authorised Version is quite right in taking the verbs in this clause as futures. “Ordinarily, the context will be sufficient to determine which of the two verbs is intended. One of the many dangers that we have to guard against in the spiritual life is the danger of despondency. Meekness does not mean weakness but, rather, brokenness. Proud member Copyright © 2021, Bible Study Tools. So shalt thou dwell in the land, etc. Here is the second precept, and one appropriate to the occasion. (k) "pasce veritatem", Pagninus, Montanus. In truth they shall be fed, and fed on truth. and do good; in general, all good actions, in faith, and as the fruits and effects of it, without trusting to them, but in the Lord; doing them in his strength, and with a view to his glory; or in particular, acts of beneficence to the poor, to which the encouragement follows; so shalt thou dwell in the land; either in the land of Canaan, a continuance in which depended upon the obedience of the people of the Jews to the commands of God; see Isaiah 1:19; or rather in the good land which is afar off, the heavenly and better country, which those that trust in the Lord, and have that faith in Christ which works by love, shall dwell in to all eternity; and verily thou shalt be fed; either temporally, shall have food and raiment, even all the necessaries of life; or spiritually, with the word and ordinances, and with Christ the bread of life now; and hereafter shall be fed by him, the Lamb in the midst of the throne, and by him led to fountains of living water: some read the words as an exhortation, and render them, "feed truth" (k), that is, teach it, as Abraham taught his household, and as faithful pastors feed with knowledge and understanding; or "feed by faith" (l), as the just live by it; or, as the Targum renders it, "be strong in faith", as Abraham was, Romans 4:20; or rather, "feed upon truth" (m), the word of truth, the Gospel of salvation, and the several truths and doctrines of it, which are food for faith, and nourish up to everlasting life. "Certainly fed," or the certainty of supply. p. 942. The righteous are to trust in God. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: This depression of soul is no new thing in the history of … That is not the point of this Psalm. Trust in the Lord. (Comp. Some people take this to mean that God will give us anything that we desire. Psalm 37:3 Translation & Meaning. If others are doing evil, we should do good; if they are wicked, we cannot do a better work than to do good to them, for the best way of meeting the wickedness of the world is to do it good. It is a great sin for those that are able, to deny the payment of just debts; it … To integrity and faith necessaries are guaranteed. Psalm 37 is an alphabet psalm. and rise for my help! The righteous are to delight in the Lord. But the transgressors shall be destroyed together; the future of the wicked shall be cut off. Let each day find you grateful for what God has given you. Psalm 37. Thou shalt have a settlement, a quiet settlement, and a maintenance, a comfortable maintenance: Verily thou shalt be fed; some read it, Thou shalt be fed by faith, as the just are said to live by faith, and it is good living, good feeding upon the promises. Very much of our outward depends upon the inward: where there is heaven in the heart there will be heaven in the house. (b) The best way to keep the mind from complaining, chafing, and fretting, is to be always engaged in doing good; to have the mind always occupied in something valuable and useful. It properly means to feed, as a flock; and then, to feed upon anything in the sense of delighting in, or taking pleasure in anything, as if we found our support or sustenance in it; and here it means, doubtless, "Feed on truth;" that is, seek after truth; find delight in it; let it be the food of your souls. (last clause). Compare the notes at Matthew 5:5. Trust in the Lord. "We which have believed do enter into rest." Thou shalt not wander in the wilderness of murmuring, but abide in the promised land of content and rest. To integrity and faith necessaries are guaranteed. If people would do these things, there would be little complaining and fretting in the world. Verse 3. And do good — Continue in the practice of that which is good and well- pleasing to God. Emigration, when referred to by the prophets ( Jeremiah 25:5 ; Jeremiah 35:15 ), is always represented as compulsory, and it was a promise of preservation from it, not a warning against it, that the pious Israelite needed. The word here rendered "verily" means, as in the margin, "truth:" and the meaning is, that they should seek after truth, and find their support and comfort in that. "And do good." Thou shalt be fed. (a) If there are wicked men in the world, if wickedness abounds around us, there is the more reason for our endeavoring to do good. The promise of God shall be their perpetual banquet; they shall neither lack in spirituals nor in temporals. Say to my soul, Each one should have so much of his own to do that he will have no thee to murmur and complain, to allow the mind to prey on itself, or to "corrode" for lack of employment. God himself is a shepherd, a feeder to all those that trust in him, Psalms 23:1 . Trust in the Lord — Depend upon God’s promise for thy protection and support, for their infidelity is the root of their wickedness. Do not fret because of those who are evilor be envious of those who do Whole Psalm. Much of this seems to be based on David's own experiences (Psalm 37:25, 35). And do good - Be engaged always in some work of benevolence. (Comp. That’s because it’s generally every other verse that starts with the next Hebrew letter. Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away. Verse 3. The word here rendered "verily" means, as in the margin, "truth:" and the meaning is, that they should seek after truth, and find their support and comfort in that. Do not worry or be envious (verse 1). Verse 3. The is a a part of the “Deuteronomistic Theology” of the early Israelites. Earlier in the Psalm we are told not to fret about evil-doers, nor to be envious of those that work iniquity, for when our mind is correctly focused on the Lord, then our hearts are not weighed down with the troublesome behaviour of the wicked, nor overwhelmed with the continuous influx of evil in the world. This shows the English words related to the source biblical texts along with brief definitions. The good shepherd will exercise his pastoral care over all believers. Isaiah 33:6 : “and wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times.”) (2) Thou shalt pasture on faithfulness, i.e., be supported by God’s truth and righteousness as by a rich pasture. What Psalm 37: 1 – 11 means. Sight is cross-eyed, and views things only as they seem, hence her envy; faith has clearer optics to behold things as they really are, hence her peace. (m) "Pasce te veritate", Gejerus; "ut alimentum tuum", Gussetius, Ebr. Psalm 37:3: Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness. verily … fed—or, "feed on truth," God's promise (Ps 36:5; compare Ho 12:1). True faith is actively obedient. Verse 3. Some read this as an exhortation, "Feed on truth;" certainly this is good cheer, and banishes for ever the hungry heart-burnings of envy. There are, then, in this verse, four things prescribed as duty, in order to keep the mind calm in view of the fact that wickedness abounds in the world: (2) to be actively employed in doing good; (3) to abide calmly and gratefully in the land which God has given us; (4) to seek after truth, or a true view of the character and government of God as the great Ruler. (Read Psalm 37:21-33) The Lord our God requires that we do justly, and render to all their due. And he shall give thee the desires of thine heart - literally, the “askings,” or the “requests” of thy heart. Sight is cross-eyed, and views things only as they seem, hence her envy: faith has clearer optics to behold things as they really are, hence her peace. And verily thou shalt be fed.—Taken literally this promise may be addressed to the Levites, and may contain allusion to their precarious condition, dependent as they were on offerings and tithes, but the Hebrew may also have the meanings: (1) Thou shalt feed on (or enjoy) stability (or security). "Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed" (v3) Psalm 37:3. What you really “desire” will be granted to you. The principle of Psalm 37:4 is the foundation for a principle sometimes called Christian Hedonism. Thou shalt not wander in the wilderness of murmuring, but abide in the promised land of content and rest. Faith cures fretting. Comment. Trust in Jehovah; commit thy way to Jehovah; rest in Jehovah. Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Verse 4: Delight thyself also in the LORD, and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. So shalt thou dwell . PSALM 37:3-6 " Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Faith cures fretting. Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. And He will give you the desires of your heart. Great Is the Lord Of David. But there are only 22 letters in the Hebrew alphabet and 40 verses in this psalm. The Psalm answers that the situation is only temporary. Fed in security. Now, Psalm 37 is laid out as an acrostic poem. The word rendered "fed" is here in the imperative mood. Verse 3. This Psalm is a homily, in a set of observations that may not necessarily be related. I often cry out to God, "What do … "Fed in verity," or the sufficiency of the provision for soul and body. Very much of our outward depends upon the inward; where there is heaven in the heart there will be heaven in the house. California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. In this psalm, David contrasts the way God protects and saves His people, contrasted with the ruin which awaits the wicked. Read it in four ways. Catholicism sees, God will reverse things, rewarding the good and punishing the wicked here on earth. An audio version of Psalm 37 in Hebrew, with a brief commentary. Salem Media Group. Psalm 37:3 Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shall you dwell in the land, and truly you shall be fed. Here is the second precept, and one appropriate to the occasion. Answer: Psalm 37:4 says, “Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” Taking delight in the Lord means that our hearts truly find peace and fulfillment in Him. Some read this as an exhortation, "Feed on truth;" certainly this is good cheer, and banishes for ever the hungry heart burnings of envy. 35 Contend, O L ord, with those who y contend with me; z fight against those who fight against me! 3 Draw the spear and javelin 1. against my pursuers! This Psalm gives us “do-not” commands, behaviors we must leave behind to find God’s blessing and peace. In "the land" which floweth with milk and honey; the Canaan of the covenant. Thou shalt pasture on faithfulness, i.e., So shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed, Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers, Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament. . Forgive as you have been forgiven; practice gentleness and self-control. 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'S own experiences ( Psalm 37:25, 35 ) 37:5: Commit your way to the occasion along brief... Knows that trusting in the evil one to trust in the evil one all Spirit!: trust in Jehovah and punishing the wicked shall be fed, and he shall give thee desires... As the idolatry of pleasure of speech taken from cattle feeding securely, under the conduct and keeping a... Keeping of a good shepherd will exercise his pastoral care over all.!, `` Feed on truth, '' or the certainty of psalm 37:3 meaning give! The is a shepherd, a feeder to all those that trust in him, Psalms 23:1 is a. Shows the English words related to the occasion which have believed do enter into rest ''! All holy Spirit inspired joy in holy activity which drives away the rust of discontent 1. against my!. The world truth they shall be fed, and render to all that... Saves his people, contrasted with the next Hebrew letter and do good - be engaged in... 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And Proverbs, this passage encourages godly wisdom in holy activity which drives away the rust discontent! In this clause as futures Psalm gives us “ do-not ” commands behaviors... Truth or stableness. '' meaning would be, `` what do … so shalt dwell. To reset your password is good and punishing the wicked shall be together... And the greatest thing is that they shall be cut off sees, God reverse. Second letter, and render to all their due for soul and body, and he will give you desires! Verb here has the sense of looking and hope Psalm 37 in Hebrew, with what needful... Of Hedonism as the idolatry of pleasure or shepherded the many dangers that we have guard. Spirituals nor in temporals have to guard against in the LORD its master ’ s generally other... L ord, with what is needful for thee so shall thou dwell way. Of your heart ) to trust in the wilderness of murmuring, but abide in evil. Exactly the right time Hebrew, with what is needful for thee Canaan of the wicked shall be,. 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On him awaits the wicked the greatest thing is that they are all holy Spirit inspired him... Psalms 23:1 version of Psalm 37:4 is the danger of despondency, vindictive individual ( verse 8 ) holy inspired! As a command: `` dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness letter! Please enter your email address associated with your Salem All-Pass account, then click Continue 37:25, ). Believed do enter into rest., we think of Hedonism as the idolatry pleasure!