Psalm 37 3

Psalm 37:3 kjv

Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.

Psalm 37:3 nkjv

Trust in the LORD, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.

Psalm 37:3 niv

Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.

Psalm 37:3 esv

Trust in the LORD, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.

Psalm 37:3 nlt

Trust in the LORD and do good.
Then you will live safely in the land and prosper.

Psalm 37 verses

Psalm 37 3 Meaning

Psalm 37:3 instructs believers to root their existence in active reliance on God and righteous living. It presents a comprehensive path for security and well-being: inward trust in the covenant God, outward action through good deeds, and stability within one's calling, all sustained by divine truth and unwavering fidelity. The verse counters anxiety over the temporary prosperity of the wicked by directing focus towards spiritual provision and enduring blessedness found in God's faithfulness.

Psalm 37 3 Context

Psalm 37 belongs to the wisdom psalms, addressing the age-old problem of the prosperity of the wicked and the suffering of the righteous. David, writing from personal observation and deep faith, instructs believers not to "fret" or be agitated by the seeming injustice of immediate circumstances. Instead, the psalm consistently encourages trust, patience, delight, and commitment to the Lord. Verse 3 serves as the foundational instruction in this counsel, providing the core principles—active faith, righteous conduct, and secure dwelling—upon which the subsequent promises and exhortations are built. Historically, "dwelling in the land" carried significant weight for the Israelites, often referring to their inheritance in Canaan, a physical manifestation of God's covenant blessings dependent on their faithfulness. This implicitly contrasts with the transient success of those who operate outside of God's ways, offering an enduring alternative.

Psalm 37 3 Word analysis

• Trust in the Lord:

  • Trust (Hebrew: bāṭaḥ, בטח): More than mere intellectual assent, bāṭaḥ implies leaning on, being secure in, or having confident reliance upon. It suggests placing one's entire weight, security, and hope upon YHWH. It is a confident expectation that leads to inner stability, contrasting sharply with anxious striving or self-reliance, which the psalm warns against. It's a surrender of control and reliance on God's character and power.
  • Lord (Hebrew: YHWH, יהוה): Refers to God's personal, covenantal, and unchanging Name. It signifies His absolute faithfulness to His promises, His eternality, and His sovereign authority. Trust is placed specifically in this God, not in any lesser deity or human strength, which highlights a polemic against pagan beliefs where trust might be placed in unpredictable, often fickle, nature deities or idols.

• and do good:

  • and do good (Hebrew: ‘āśāh ṭôv, עשה טוב): This is not passive goodness but active, practical righteousness and benevolence. It entails acting righteously, showing kindness, justice, and mercy in daily life. It links inward trust to outward manifestation, signifying that true faith is always active and fruitful. This counters any notion that one merely trusts God and waits, rather emphasizing active obedience as part of that trust. It’s the moral counterpart to inner reliance.

• dwell in the land:

  • dwell (Hebrew: shāḵan, שׁכן): Implies settling down, inhabiting, residing securely and enduringly. It's about stability and being at peace in a specific place or condition, indicating not fleeting success but established presence. It has connotations of the Divine Presence (Shekinah) dwelling among His people.
  • in the land (Hebrew: ‘ereṣ, ארץ): This term can refer to the earth generally, but in the Old Testament, particularly within the context of the Psalms and Israel's history, it strongly refers to the Promised Land. Thus, it can symbolize God's promised place of blessing, security, and inheritance for the faithful. It denotes an abiding blessing, distinct from the transient gain of the wicked. It also suggests a place of order and provision within God's sovereign domain.

• and feed on His faithfulness:

  • feed on (Hebrew: rā‘â, רעה): This verb literally means "to shepherd," "to graze," or "to pasture." Here, it metaphorically means to be sustained by, to delight in, to literally "graze" or draw nourishment from. It conveys a picture of calm, secure nourishment, like sheep feeding contentedly in a rich pasture. It's not about scarcity or striving but about abundant, assured provision derived from the source.
  • His faithfulness (Hebrew: ’ĕmûnâ, אמוּנה): This noun comes from the same root as "amen," conveying reliability, firmness, truth, steadfastness, and constancy. It refers to God’s unchangeable character and His absolute reliability to fulfill His promises. It is the very sustenance for the trusting and righteous believer, the secure pasture from which they draw life. This opposes the unstable, unpredictable nature of human schemes or pagan deities.

Psalm 37 3 Bonus section

The emphasis on "His faithfulness" (’ĕmûnâ) also implicitly highlights God's justice. While the wicked may prosper temporarily, God's faithfulness ensures that He will ultimately act in accordance with His just character. The act of "feeding" on this faithfulness implies drawing life not only from His provision but also from His unwavering commitment to righteousness, knowing that He will make all things right in His time. This posture frees the believer from the burden of seeking justice for themselves or obsessing over inequalities, allowing them to rest in divine recompense. The call to "dwell in the land" can be expanded spiritually to mean dwelling securely in the will and presence of God, irrespective of external circumstances, as His divine "land" of provision and protection transcends physical boundaries for the New Covenant believer.

Psalm 37 3 Commentary

Psalm 37:3 provides a profound, holistic approach to navigating life's challenges, especially when faced with the apparent success of the ungodly. It doesn't offer a quick fix but outlines a lifestyle of spiritual stability. "Trust in the Lord" establishes the core internal posture—a steadfast reliance on the immutable character and promises of YHWH, directly challenging the natural human tendency to fret or envy. This inner faith is immediately linked to outer expression: "and do good." True trust is active, manifesting in ethical behavior and compassionate deeds. The connection between faith and works is thus deeply rooted.

"Dwell in the land" signifies a settled, secure, and enduring life. For the Israelite, this invoked the covenant blessing of the Promised Land, a place of peace and prosperity under God's governance. Beyond a physical location, it symbolizes a state of abiding under God's protection and providence, finding spiritual and existential stability rather than constant wandering or anxiety. The concluding phrase, "and feed on His faithfulness," draws the picture of deep, continuous nourishment. Like a flock sustained by lush pastures, the believer is called to draw their sustenance, joy, and peace not from worldly success or transient pleasures, but from the unyielding reliability and truth of God Himself. His character is their never-failing resource. This verse collectively assures that the way of humble trust and active righteousness, though it may not bring immediate worldly glory, ensures deep-seated provision, security, and ultimate blessing through God's unwavering faithfulness.