Psalm 37:18 kjv
The LORD knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be for ever.
Psalm 37:18 nkjv
The LORD knows the days of the upright, And their inheritance shall be forever.
Psalm 37:18 niv
The blameless spend their days under the LORD's care, and their inheritance will endure forever.
Psalm 37:18 esv
The LORD knows the days of the blameless, and their heritage will remain forever;
Psalm 37:18 nlt
Day by day the LORD takes care of the innocent,
and they will receive an inheritance that lasts forever.
Psalm 37 18 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Psa 1:6 | For the Lord knows the way of the righteous... | God knows & approves righteous' path |
| Psa 34:15 | The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous... | God's watchfulness over righteous |
| Psa 37:25 | I have been young, and now am old; yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken... | God sustains the righteous |
| Psa 37:28 | For the Lord loves justice; He will not forsake His saints; They are preserved forever... | Saints preserved eternally |
| Psa 1:3 | He is like a tree planted by streams of water... | Righteous' stability & fruitfulness |
| Matt 5:5 | Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. | Meek inherit God's provision |
| Matt 6:33 | But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. | God provides for righteous' needs |
| Phil 4:19 | And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. | God's comprehensive provision |
| 1 Pet 3:12 | For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayer... | God's attention to righteous' prayers |
| Job 23:10 | But He knows the way that I take... | God's knowledge of personal journey |
| Jer 29:11 | For I know the plans that I have for you... | God's sovereign plans for His people |
| 1 Cor 8:3 | But if anyone loves God, he is known by God. | Intimate relationship with God |
| 2 Tim 2:19 | Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His...” | God's recognition of His own |
| Col 1:12 | ...giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. | Qualified for eternal inheritance |
| Heb 9:15 | And for this reason He is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance. | Eternal inheritance through Christ |
| 1 Pet 1:4 | To an inheritance imperishable and undefiled and unfading, kept in heaven for you. | Incorruptible heavenly inheritance |
| Rom 8:17 | And if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ... | Believers as heirs of God |
| Rev 21:7 | The one who conquers will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son. | Overcomers inherit all things |
| Psa 16:11 | ...in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. | Eternal joy in God's presence |
| Psa 23:6 | Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. | Dwelling eternally with God |
| Dan 12:3 | Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. | Righteous' eternal glory |
| Prov 10:28 | The hope of the righteous will be gladness, but the expectation of the wicked will perish. | Righteous' sure hope vs. wicked's end |
Psalm 37 verses
Psalm 37 18 Meaning
This verse offers profound assurance, stating that the Creator has an intimate, comprehensive, and protective knowledge of the entire lifespan of those who live righteously. Consequently, their ultimate portion and blessing are not transient but are divinely secured to last eternally, a stark contrast to the fleeting prosperity of the ungodly.
Psalm 37 18 Context
Psalm 37 is a wisdom psalm attributed to David, offering counsel and comfort to believers who are perplexed by the temporary prosperity of the wicked and the concurrent struggles of the righteous. The chapter advises against envy and impatience, urging trust in God's perfect timing and justice. It systematically contrasts the eventual downfall of the wicked with the secure and enduring blessedness of the righteous. Verse 18 fits within a series of reassurances (vv. 16-20) emphasizing the Lord's providential care for those who trust in Him, assuring them of sustained sustenance and a lasting future, unlike the ultimate demise of the evil-doers. The historical context reflects a common challenge in ancient Israel where the prosperity of idolaters or oppressors could test the faith of the covenant people.
Psalm 37 18 Word analysis
- The Lord (YHWH/יְהוָה - Yahweh): Refers to God's personal, covenantal name. This is not a generic term for deity but the self-revealed God who establishes and keeps His promises. His action is rooted in His unwavering faithfulness to His people.
- knows (יָדַע - yada'): This Hebrew verb implies much more than mere intellectual awareness. It signifies deep, intimate, personal knowledge that includes active care, approval, recognition, and watchful guidance. God's "knowing" of the upright means He actively attends to their welfare and affairs, taking an interest in their every moment.
- the days (יָמִים - yamim): Denotes the totality of their life span and experiences. This encompasses all their joys, sorrows, challenges, and needs, from their beginning to their end. It assures the believer that every phase of their life journey is within God's providential scope and under His protective watch.
- of the upright (תְּמִימִים - t'mimim): Means "those who are blameless," "whole," "complete," or of "integrity." It describes those whose lives are sincerely devoted to God and whose conduct is consistently righteous. It signifies not perfection, but genuineness of heart and moral consistency in following God's ways.
- and their inheritance (וְנַחֲלָתָם - ve-naḥălātām): Refers to their divinely appointed portion, their lasting possession, or heritage. In the biblical context, "inheritance" can be multifaceted: the Promised Land for Israel, God Himself as their portion (Num 18:20), spiritual blessings, the kingdom of God, and eternal life. It represents the assured, secure, and enduring blessedness awaiting the righteous.
- will endure forever (לְעוֹלָם תִּהְיֶה - l'olam tihyeh): Translates as "for eternity it will be" or "it will last eternally." This emphasizes the absolute permanence, stability, and security of the righteous' portion. It directly contrasts with the transient nature of the wicked's prosperity (as often depicted throughout Psalm 37), underscoring that God's blessing is not subject to earthly fluctuations or decay.
Psalm 37 18 Bonus section
This verse offers profound solace, reminding us that unlike the world's indifference, God’s attention to the faithful is a knowing born of covenant love and active supervision. It directly counters the natural human inclination to despair when the wicked prosper, highlighting the crucial difference between temporary worldly success and eternal, divine security. The promise of an enduring inheritance implicitly points forward to New Testament concepts of eternal life, the imperishable inheritance in Christ, and citizenship in God's eternal kingdom. This assurance bolsters patience and endurance, encouraging a long-term, faith-filled perspective that transcends immediate appearances.
Psalm 37 18 Commentary
Psalm 37:18 provides a powerful assurance to those who align their lives with God's ways. It reveals God as the intimate, ever-present Sovereign who does not merely observe but actively engages with the entire course of the righteous person's life. This "knowing" signifies His providential care, protective favor, and faithful commitment. Consequently, the inheritance or future portion of such individuals is not subject to the instability of human circumstances or the fleeting nature of earthly gains. Rather, it is eternally secured and preserved by God's unchanging nature and power. This verse serves as a cornerstone of comfort, urging believers to maintain their trust and integrity, for their true and lasting security is found solely in God's eternal promise, ensuring a permanent reward beyond anything this world offers.