Psalm 37 5

Psalm 37:5 kjv

Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

Psalm 37:5 nkjv

Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass.

Psalm 37:5 niv

Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this:

Psalm 37:5 esv

Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act.

Psalm 37:5 nlt

Commit everything you do to the LORD.
Trust him, and he will help you.

Psalm 37 verses

Psalm 37 5 Meaning

Psalm 37:5 is a foundational call to profound trust and surrender to the Lord. It commands the believer to entrust every aspect of their life, their path, plans, and future endeavors completely into God's sovereign care. Following this act of committal, it calls for an unwavering reliance on Him, promising that He will then actively intervene, direct, and accomplish His perfect will in and through their circumstances.

Psalm 37 5 Context

Psalm 37 is a wisdom psalm, presented as an acrostic (though not perfectly sustained) by David, offering practical guidance for the righteous in a world where the wicked often seem to prosper. Its central theme contrasts the fleeting prosperity and eventual destruction of evildoers with the enduring blessedness, inheritance, and divine vindication of those who faithfully trust in the Lord. The psalm repeatedly encourages patience and discourages "fretting" over perceived injustices. Verse 5 is a pivotal command within a series of positive instructions (e.g., trust, delight, wait) that outline the path of living by faith amidst such challenges, providing assurance of God's ultimate justice and provision. It speaks to an audience prone to anxiety and envy when observing worldly success, redirecting their focus from human power and wealth to divine faithfulness.

Psalm 37 5 Word analysis

• Commit (גּוֹל, Gōl): This is an imperative verb from the Hebrew root galal, meaning "to roll." It signifies an active, decisive rolling away of one's entire life—its burdens, cares, plans, and destiny—from oneself onto someone else. It implies transferring responsibility completely, like rolling a heavy stone off one's back onto another place or person. This is not a passive request but a forceful command for full entrustment.
• your way (דַּרְכְּךָ, dar-kə-ḵā): From the Hebrew derek, which broadly means "path," "course of life," "journey," or "conduct." It encompasses all aspects of one's life—their present situation, future plans, choices, endeavors, and destiny. It’s not just a specific problem, but the totality of one’s being and direction.
• to the Lord (אֶל-יְהוָה, ’el-Yah-weh): ’El signifies "to" or "towards." Yahweh is the covenant name of God, emphasizing His personal, relational, faithful, and omnipotent nature. The commitment is specifically directed to Him, recognizing His character and supreme authority as the One who keeps covenant and acts for His people.
• trust (בְּטַח, bə-ṭaḥ): This is another imperative verb, from the Hebrew bataḥ, meaning "to be confident," "to feel secure," "to lean upon," or "to rely firmly." It denotes an internal state of serene confidence and deep-seated security derived from placing one's reliance wholly on God. It's an active mental and emotional posture, not mere passive hope.
• in him (עָלָיו, ‘ā-lāw): This simply reinforces that the trust is explicitly placed upon the Lord mentioned previously. It indicates absolute dependence, not partial reliance.
• and he will act / he shall bring it to pass (וְהוּא יַעֲשֶׂה, wə-hū yā-‘ă-śeh): wə-hū (and He) emphatically highlights God's role. Yā-‘ă-śeh (will act/do/make/accomplish) is a future tense verb of ’asah. It’s a divine promise and a certain outcome. God will actively intervene, accomplish, execute, and bring to fruition what is committed to Him. It's His direct, sovereign action, ensuring His will is fulfilled and His trusting children are vindicated or led aright.

Words-group analysis:

• "Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him": These two commands are intertwined. The "rolling over" (committing) of one's life leads to and enables genuine trust. Conversely, trust sustains the act of continuous commitment. It is a dual call to an outward action of surrender and an inward posture of dependence.
• "and he will act": This is God's assured response. It's the ultimate promise, directly following the human acts of commitment and trust. It signifies God's sovereign and faithful intervention, orchestrating events and bringing His perfect plans to pass for those who completely yield to Him. It shifts the burden from the individual to the omnipotent God.

Psalm 37 5 Bonus section

The imperatives in this verse – "Commit" and "trust" – highlight that faith is not a passive sentiment but an active choice and continuous posture. They require intentional relinquishment of self-reliance. This verse functions as a counter-polemic against relying on human strength, wisdom, or earthly riches for security, as well as against the "fretting" mentality the Psalm addresses in its opening verses (Psa 37:1, 7). Instead, true security is found only in the covenant-keeping God. The progression is clear: human action (committing and trusting) precedes and evokes divine action, reinforcing the interactive nature of the relationship between God and His people. It implicitly encourages waiting patiently, as God's "acting" is according to His perfect timing and ways, which are often beyond immediate human expectation.

Psalm 37 5 Commentary

Psalm 37:5 encapsulates a profound spiritual principle for navigating life's complexities and injustices: surrender and trust yield divine action. The verse is an antidote to human worry, anxiety, and self-reliance, which often stem from a desire to control outcomes. "Commit your way" demands an act of intentional and comprehensive relinquishment—handing over every plan, every burden, every aspect of one's journey to God. This isn't passive fatalism but active, confident yielding to an omniscient and loving Father.

This commitment is inextricably linked with "trust in him." Trust (bataḥ) implies leaning heavily on God, finding deep security and rest in His character and power, regardless of immediate circumstances. It is a tranquil assurance that He is dependable and will fulfill His promises. It moves beyond simply giving Him one's problems; it is a profound confidence in His wisdom and goodness to handle what has been given to Him.

The promise "and he will act" is the divine guarantee. God does not remain passive. Upon our genuine surrender and trust, He will step in. This "acting" might involve direct intervention, opening or closing doors, guiding decisions, transforming situations, or developing our character through trials. It means He will accomplish His good and perfect will in ways beyond our comprehension or ability, ensuring that what truly matters is brought to pass for our good and His glory. This truth empowers believers to release control and live from a place of peace, knowing that their Sovereign God is actively engaged on their behalf.

Examples:

• A student surrendering anxiety about future career paths, trusting God to open the right doors.
• A parent entrusting their rebellious child to the Lord's redemptive work, despite overwhelming concerns.
• An individual facing a severe illness, committing their body and future to God's care for healing or strength.