It is a great sin for those that are able, to deny the payment of just debts; it … If people would do these things, there would be little complaining and fretting in the world. Henry Ainsworth. Thou shalt not wander in the wilderness of murmuring, but abide in the promised land of content and rest. The promise of God shall be their perpetual banquet; they shall neither lack in spirituals nor in temporals. Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Verse 3. And verily thou shalt be fed - Margin, "in truth or stableness." He was an old man when he wrote this Psalm (37:25). It is out of our hands, so we need not concern ourselves over it. "feed on faith", Ainsworth. p. 942. The meaning here is, that we should seek our happiness in God - in his being, his perfections, his friendship, his love. 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. The righteous are to trust in God. Here is the second precept, and one appropriate to the occasion. Use this table to get a word-for-word translation of the original Hebrew Scripture. Psalm 37 - Of David. Catholicism sees, God will reverse things, rewarding the good and punishing the wicked here on earth. And do good - Be engaged always in some work of benevolence. "We which have believed do enter into rest." 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? In "the land" which floweth with milk and honey; the Canaan of the covenant. But the transgressors shall be destroyed together; the future of the wicked shall be cut off. 28). What Psalm 37: 1 – 11 means. Here he … The Psalm answers that the situation is only temporary. The is a a part of the “Deuteronomistic Theology” of the early Israelites. Psalm 37:11; Psalm 37:18; Psalm 37:22.) Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. 5:5). 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. God always gives the correct punishment at exactly the right time. PSALM 37:3-6 " Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. “Ordinarily, the context will be sufficient to determine which of the two verbs is intended. Verse 3. The promise of God shall be their perpetual banquet; they shall neither lack in spirituals nor in temporals. Verse 4: Delight thyself also in the LORD, and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. To integrity and faith necessaries are guaranteed. S tudying the Psalms is a good way to reflect upon the goodness of the Lord. Trust in the Lord — Depend upon God’s promise for thy protection and support, for their infidelity is the root of their wickedness. "Fed on truth," or the spirituality of the provision. One of the many dangers that we have to guard against in the spiritual life is the danger of despondency. Matthew Henry. Thou shalt be fed. . True faith is actively obedient. Verse 3. .—The Authorised Version is quite right in taking the verbs in this clause as futures. Doing good is a fine remedy for fretting. And He will give you the desires of your heart. Interpretation. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: Here is the second precept, and one appropriate to the occasion. 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). 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. True faith is actively obedient. How do you wait for God to do something? Thomas Scott (1744-1821) in loc. Question: "What does it mean to delight yourself in the Lord (Psalm 37:4)?" 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. 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. Compare the notes at Matthew 5:5. So shalt thou dwell in the land - This would be more correctly translated as a command: "Dwell in the land." Psalms 37:3 (R.V.) And verily thou shalt be fed, or shepherded. Very much of our outward depends upon the inward: where there is heaven in the heart there will be heaven in the house. Copyright © 2021, Bible Study Tools. And do good. 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. and rise for my help! Psalm 37:3: Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness. But there are only 22 letters in the Hebrew alphabet and 40 verses in this psalm. Verse 3. 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) If there are wicked men in the world, if wickedness abounds around us, there is the more reason for our endeavoring to do good. Trust in Jehovah; commit thy way to Jehovah; rest in Jehovah. California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Comment. (last clause). Fed in plenty. This shows the English words related to the source biblical texts along with brief definitions. Normally, we think of hedonism as the idolatry of pleasure. This depression of soul is no new thing in the history of … Thomas Secker (Archbishop), 1768. The term Christian Hedonism has been used to describe a righteous pursuit of satisfaction and pleasure, … In this psalm, David contrasts the way God protects and saves His people, contrasted with the ruin which awaits the wicked. 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. Psalm 37:3 Translation & Meaning. There is a joy in holy activity which drives away the rust of discontent. The righteous are preserved in Christ with a special preservation, and in a peculiar safety. So shalt thou dwell in the land. 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. "Feed on truth," or the duty of choosing such provision. 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. Proud member Very much of our outward depends upon the inward; where there is heaven in the heart there will be heaven in the house. (Comp. (Read Psalm 37:21-33) The Lord our God requires that we do justly, and render to all their due. Whole Psalm. The "literal" meaning would be, "Feed on truth." To integrity and faith necessaries are guaranteed. 1 Hans-Joachim Kraus, Psalms 1-59: A Commentary (Minneapolis: Augsburg, 1988), 405. So shalt thou dwell . 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. Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. 3 Draw the spear and javelin 1. against my pursuers! "And do good." This Psalm is a homily, in a set of observations that may not necessarily be related. The good shepherd will exercise his pastoral care over all believers. Psalm 37#This psalm is an acrostic poem, the stanzas of which begin with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet.Of David. Other alphabet psalms are 9, 10, 25, 34, 111, 112, 119 and 145. This is the true order, the two must go together, the one produces, the other proves; the promise is to both. "We which have believed do enter into rest." "And verily thou shall be fed," or shepherded. 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. Let each day find you grateful for what God has given you. "Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed" (v3) We'll send you an email with steps on how to reset your password. Present Age: Psalm 37:4: Delight yourself in the LORD. A humble or meek person is like a strong but broken horse: powerful, yet submissive to its master’s touch. Verse 1 begins with the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet, verse 3 with the second letter, and so on. As with many other passages in Psalms and Proverbs, this passage encourages godly wisdom. Psalm 37:3 Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shall you dwell in the land, and truly you shall be fed. Article Images Copyright © 2021 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. An audio version of Psalm 37 in Hebrew, with a brief commentary. –Psalm 37:1-8. And Psalm 37 is also a meditative or reflective psalm. Here is the second precept, and one appropriate to the occasion. A combination descriptive of happy living. Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. 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. The good shepherd will exercise his pastoral care over all believers. Verily thou shalt be fed, as Elijah in the famine, with what is needful for thee. What does this verse really mean? 3 The Hebrew word here is more usually translated as “righteousness.” All rights reserved. C. H. S. Verse 3. The Hebrew verb here has the sense of looking and hope. 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. This interpretation is shared by Protestants. Verse 3. The word rendered "fed" is here in the imperative mood. (l) "Pascere fide", Junius & Tremellius, Cocceius. Some read this as an exhortation, "Feed on truth;" certainly this is good cheer, and banishes for ever the hungry heart burnings of envy. 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. Psalm 37. 2 Take hold of a shield and buckler. "Trust in the Lord." 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. In "the land" which floweth with milk and honey; the Canaan of the covenant. Some people take this to mean that God will give us anything that we desire. Say to my soul, I often cry out to God, "What do … The principle of Psalm 37:4 is the foundation for a principle sometimes called Christian Hedonism. 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. "Certainly fed," or the certainty of supply. And he shall give thee the desires of thine heart - literally, the “askings,” or the “requests” of thy heart. He knows that trusting in the Lord is the only secure place we have in a world that lies in the evil one. 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? Please enter your email address associated with your Salem All-Pass account, then click Continue. Doing good is a fine remedy for fretting. Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. 2 Similarly, the NRSV’s “wait” in verse 9 might better be translated as “expect” to reflect the ongoing activity of God. This Psalm gives us “do-not” commands, behaviors we must leave behind to find God’s blessing and peace. Faith cures fretting. 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. 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. They are the best collection of poems and songs ever published and the greatest thing is that they are all Holy Spirit inspired! Psalm 37:11; Psalm 37:18; Psalm 37:22.) A manner of speech taken from cattle feeding securely, under the conduct and keeping of a good shepherd. (m) "Pasce te veritate", Gejerus; "ut alimentum tuum", Gussetius, Ebr. Fed in security. A combination descriptive of holy living. John Parkhurst. Trust in the Lord. (k) "pasce veritatem", Pagninus, Montanus. So shalt thou dwell in the land, etc. 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. (Comp. So shall thou dwell in the land, etc. "So shalt thou dwell in the land." Much of this seems to be based on David's own experiences (Psalm 37:25, 35). shalt thou dwell—or, "dwell thou"; repose quietly. What you really “desire” will be granted to you. Present Age: Psalm 37:5: Commit your way to the LORD. Psalm 37 is an alphabet psalm. Psalm 37:3. verily … fed—or, "feed on truth," God's promise (Ps 36:5; compare Ho 12:1). Great Is the Lord Of David. 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. 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." That they shall be preserved is affirmed, Ps 37:3,17,23,25,32. Trust in the Lord. 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. 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. There is a joy in holy activity which drives away the rust of discontent. Thou shalt not wander in the wilderness of murmuring, but abide in the promised land of content and rest. Faith cures fretting. Salem Media Group. Read it in four ways. Do not fret because of those who are evilor be envious of those who do Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: Thou shalt be fed. And do good — Continue in the practice of that which is good and well- pleasing to God. In truth they shall be fed, and fed on truth. Barnes's Psalms 37:3 Bible Commentary Trust in the Lord - Confide in him; rest on him. Jesus took Psalm 37:11 as His third Beatitude: “Blessed are the gentle [humble, meek], for they shall inherit the earth” (Matt. Verse 3. Verse 3. Verse 3. (c) To trust in God and do according to his will are sure signs that his providence will never fail us. 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. 35 Contend, O L ord, with those who y contend with me; z fight against those who fight against me! That is not the point of this Psalm. Some read this as an exhortation, "Feed on truth;" certainly this is good cheer, and banishes for ever the hungry heart-burnings of envy. 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. The righteous are to delight in the Lord. 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