Psalm 37:11 kjv
But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.
Psalm 37:11 nkjv
But the meek shall inherit the earth, And shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.
Psalm 37:11 niv
But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy peace and prosperity.
Psalm 37:11 esv
But the meek shall inherit the land and delight themselves in abundant peace.
Psalm 37:11 nlt
The lowly will possess the land
and will live in peace and prosperity.
Psalm 37 11 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Matt 5:5 | Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. | Direct New Testament fulfillment/echo. |
| Isa 60:21 | Your people also shall all be righteous...they shall inherit the land forever. | Righteous inheriting the land. |
| Isa 61:7 | For your shame you shall have double; and for confusion...they shall possess double in their land. | Blessing and inheritance for the humble. |
| Psa 25:9 | He guides the humble in justice, and He teaches the humble His way. | God's guidance for the humble. |
| Zeph 2:3 | Seek the LORD, all you meek of the earth... | Call to the meek to seek God. |
| Matt 11:29 | Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart. | Jesus as the embodiment of meekness. |
| Gal 5:22-23 | ...love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness... | Meekness as fruit of the Spirit. |
| Jas 1:21 | ...receive with meekness the implanted word... | Meekness required for receiving God's Word. |
| Num 12:3 | (Now Moses was very meek, above all the men who were on the face of the earth.) | Example of meekness in a leader. |
| Gen 13:15 | For all the land which you see I give to you and your descendants forever. | Promise of land inheritance to Abraham. |
| Prov 2:21 | For the upright will dwell in the land, and the blameless will remain in it. | The righteous remaining in the land. |
| Psa 37:9 | For evildoers shall be cut off, but those who wait on the LORD, they shall inherit the earth. | Contrast with wicked, waiting on God leads to inheritance. |
| Psa 37:29 | The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell in it forever. | Enduring inheritance for the righteous. |
| Psa 37:34 | Wait on the LORD...He shall exalt you to inherit the earth... | God's exalting of the patient to inherit. |
| Isa 32:17 | The work of righteousness will be peace, and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever. | Righteousness leading to peace and assurance. |
| Psa 29:11 | The LORD will give strength to His people; The LORD will bless His people with peace. | God's blessing of peace. |
| Psa 119:165 | Great peace have those who love Your law... | Peace found in God's law. |
| Phil 4:7 | And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts... | God's transcendent peace. |
| Col 3:15 | Let the peace of God rule in your hearts... | God's peace governing believers. |
| Isa 26:3 | You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You... | Perfect peace for those trusting God. |
| Prov 3:2 | For length of days and long life and peace they will add to you. | Blessings of life and peace. |
| Rom 5:1 | Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God... | Peace with God through justification. |
| Heb 12:28 | Therefore, since we receive a unshakable kingdom... | Inheritance of an unshakable kingdom. |
| Rev 21:7 | He who overcomes shall inherit all things... | Inheritance for those who overcome. |
| Psa 37:16 | Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right. | Contrast between humble sufficiency and wicked excess. |
Psalm 37 verses
Psalm 37 11 Meaning
Psalm 37:11 declares that those who are gentle, humble, and patient will not only possess the land or inherit the world but will also experience deep contentment and extensive well-being. It presents a divinely ordered reality where God's justice prevails, countering worldly expectations that power and aggression lead to prosperity. The meek receive not merely physical possession but also a rich, inward experience of God's comprehensive peace, a state of spiritual flourishing and abundant blessing.
Psalm 37 11 Context
Psalm 37 is a wisdom psalm, presented as an acrostic (though not every verse follows the alphabetic pattern rigidly). Its central theme addresses the perennial struggle of observing the wicked prosper while the righteous suffer. The psalm's purpose is to reassure God's people not to fret, envy, or be distressed by the temporary success of evildoers. Instead, they are called to trust in the Lord, commit their way to Him, delight in Him, and patiently wait for His justice and vindication. The verses continually contrast the fleeting nature of the wicked's prosperity with the enduring blessedness and inheritance of the righteous. Verse 11 provides a pivotal reassurance within this context, describing the ultimate reward for a particular kind of righteous character—the meek. Historically, the promise of land inheritance was deeply significant to Israel, echoing the Abrahamic covenant and the giving of the Promised Land. Peace, or "shalom," in ancient Hebrew thought, was not merely the absence of conflict but a holistic state of well-being, wholeness, prosperity, and harmony with God and fellow humans.
Psalm 37 11 Word analysis
- But (ואולם - v'ulam): This word serves as an emphatic contrast, setting up a distinct counter-reality to the apparent success of the wicked mentioned in preceding verses. It introduces a turning point or an opposing truth.
- the meek (ענוים - anavim): This Hebrew term describes those who are humble, gentle, afflicted, or lowly. It signifies not weakness, but a spirit of submission to God's will, patiently enduring adversity, and not asserting one's own rights or defending oneself against perceived injustices. They are dependent on God rather than their own strength or worldly means. This virtue is divinely valued.
- shall inherit (ירשו - yirashu): A strong verb implying a future action of taking possession. It conveys the idea of receiving an entitlement, a legacy, or a rightful portion, often secured by legal or divine promise. This is a promised inheritance, not a seized conquest.
- the earth (ארץ - eretz): This word can mean the land (specifically the land of Israel), the ground, or the entire globe. In the context of Psalms and wisdom literature, it signifies stability, a place of dwelling, and the sphere where God's righteous order is established. Its ultimate fulfillment includes the new heavens and new earth.
- and shall delight themselves (יתענגו - yit'anagu): This verb implies profound, luxurious enjoyment and exquisite pleasure. It suggests a deep, abiding satisfaction and contentment, going beyond mere existence or possession into a state of blessed inner well-being.
- in the abundance of peace (רב שלום - rov shalom):
- Abundance (רב - rov): Signifies a great quantity, much, or plentitude. It emphasizes the fullness and richness of the peace received.
- Peace (שלום - shalom): This is a holistic Hebrew concept encompassing much more than the absence of conflict. It refers to completeness, wholeness, harmony, welfare, safety, prosperity, soundness, and perfect well-being in every aspect of life – spiritually, physically, emotionally, and in relationships with God and others. It signifies a flourishing state brought about by right relationship with God.
Psalm 37 11 Bonus section
The promise of Psalm 37:11 found its ultimate embodiment and affirmation in Jesus Christ, who perfectly modeled meekness (Matt 11:29) and, as the Suffering Servant, inherited all things from His Father. The beatitude in Matthew 5:5, "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth," is a direct echo and New Testament fulfillment of this very verse, affirming its enduring spiritual truth for all who follow Christ. This inheritance is not necessarily material wealth or global dominion in the present age, but a secure, abiding participation in God's eternal Kingdom, His reign on earth, and true fulfillment in Him, a peace that transcends all worldly understanding. It teaches that enduring spiritual blessings outweigh fleeting worldly gains.
Psalm 37 11 Commentary
Psalm 37:11 is a profound declaration of divine justice and an upside-down kingdom principle. While the world often reveres the powerful and assertive, this verse exalts the meek as the true inheritors. This meekness is not weakness but rather a strength under divine control, a humble submission to God's sovereignty, especially when faced with injustice or worldly aggression. They entrust their cause to God, rather than retaliating or vying for earthly possessions.
The "inheritance of the earth" has layered meanings. For ancient Israel, it referenced the physical land of Canaan, a symbol of God's covenant faithfulness and provision. In a broader sense, it means secure dwelling, stability, and enduring blessing in this world, in contrast to the transient wealth of the wicked. Prophetically and in the New Testament (Matt 5:5), it expands to include the spiritual reign over the renewed creation or the eschatological Kingdom of God, indicating that those who embody Christ's humility will truly reign with Him.
The promise of "delighting in the abundance of peace" signifies the deeper, richer reward beyond mere territorial possession. It points to a profound internal tranquility and comprehensive well-being. This shalom is not dependent on external circumstances but is a divinely-imparted state of wholeness, harmony, and flourishing. It is the peace that comes from a secure relationship with God, unaffected by worldly chaos or fleeting prosperity. This inner contentment is the true abundance that God grants to the humble, even if they possess little in the world's eyes. It implies satisfaction in God and His provisions.