Psalms 37:11
in Psalms 37But the meek will inherit the land and delight in abundant prosperity.
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
But the meek shall inherit the land, And shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.
KJV
But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.
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This verse in Psalms 37
Commentary
18 notes on this verse(Verse 11.) But the meek shall possess the land, and shall delight in the abundance of peace. They rightfully possess the land in which God himself rests; as was revealed by the divine oracle through Isaiah, saying: Upon whom shall I rest, if not upon the humble and quiet, and those who tremble at my words (Isaiah 66:2)? Who are the meek, if not those whom no stimulus of discord agitates, no anger disturbs, no cruelty inflames with rage?
This site's exposition
Yet a little while
on Psalms 37:10-11
A little while is all the wicked have, and then the search for him turns up nothing. The meek inherit the land, and Jesus gives the same promise at Matthew 5:5, blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. The abundant prosperity is the land enjoyed.
This site's exposition
the meek will inherit the land
The word behind meek first meant the afflicted and poor, then the gentle, as Albert Barnes explained it. Adam Clarke applied it to the poor Jewish captives. Spurgeon and Matthew Henry read the abundant prosperity as peace, inward and with God, worth more than gold.
The record, by era
The Church Fathers4 voices
"But the meek shall inherit the land" (ver. 11). That land is the one of which we have often spoken, the holy Jerusalem, which is to be released from these her pilgrimages, and to live for ever with God, and on God. Therefore, "They shall inherit the land." What shall be their delight? "And they shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace." Let the ungodly man delight himself here in the multitude of his gold, in the multitude of his silver, in the multitude of his slaves, in the multitude, lastly, of his baths, his roses, his intoxicating wines, his most sumptuous and luxurious banquets. Is this the power thou enviest? Is this the glory that delights thee? Would not his fate be worthy to be deplored, even if he were to be so for ever? What shall be thy delights? "And they shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace." Peace shall be thy gold. Peace shall be thy silver. Peace shall be thy lands. Peace shall be thy life, thy God Peace. Peace shall be to thee whatsoever thou dost desire....
He says the meek will possess the Jerusalem to come, a city about which much has already been said; it is a city constantly filled with the sweetness of good things where its inhabitants do not earn their living through trade, but feed on delight …
But be thou meek, since the meek shall inherit the earth. Be long-suffering and pitiful and guileless and gentle and good and always trembling at the words which thou hast heard. Thou shalt not exalt thyself, nor give over-confidence to thy soul. Thy soul shall not be joined with lofty ones, but with just and lowly ones shall it have its intercourse. The workings that befall thee receive as good, knowing that apart from God nothing cometh to pass.
It is their right to possess the land, for in them God finds rest. We see this from the words of divine prophecy spoken by Isaiah: "On whom shall I rest, if not on those who are poor and little and who tremble at my word?" Who are the meek? They are those not easily roused to wrath, not quick to quarrel. Anger does not trouble them, fierceness does not drive them mad, raging cruelty does not enflame them. While still in the body they loved the peace of the Lord better than wine, banquets and riches. They thought to give up bodily pleasures and delights to gain instead eternal grace; these are the people who "shall delight in abundance of peace."
The Medieval Church1 voice
Then when he says, "The meek," he sets forth the fruit of the just. This is twofold. Hence first he sets forth the fruit of riches. Second, of pleasures, at "And they will delight." For this is what people desire in this world, and both …
10 more voices on this verse
The Puritans and the Awakening5 voices
): The meek shall inherit the earth. They are in least danger of being injured and disturbed in the possession of what they have and they have most satisfaction in themselves and consequently the sweetest relish of their creature-comforts. Our Saviour has made this a gospel promise, and a confirmation of the blessings he pronounced on the meek, Matt. v. 5 .
quarantine:debris (2026-07-29) — leading-punctuation+unbalanced-parens
, 18, 19, 22-25, 28, 29, 37 . He prescribes very good remedies against this sin of envying the prosperity of the wicked, and great encouragement to use those remedies,
quarantine:debris (2026-07-29) — leading-punctuation
Perhaps they have not abundance of wealth to delight in; but they have that which is better, abundance of peace, inward peace and tranquility of mind, peace with God, and then peace in God, that great peace which those have that love God's law, whom nothing shall offend ( Ps. cxix. 165 ), that abundance of peace which is in the kingdom of Christ ( Ps. lxxii.
quarantine:debris (2026-07-29) — unbalanced-parens
But the meek shall inherit the earth,.... See Gill on Psa 37:9; of this character See Gill on Psa 22:
Perhaps they have not abundance of wealth to delight in; but they have that which is better, abundance of peace, inward peace and tranquility of mind, peace with God, and then peace in God, that great peace which those have that love God's law, whom nothing shall offend ( Ps. cxix. 165 ), that abundance of peace which is in the kingdom of Christ ( Ps. lxxii.
The Nineteenth Century5 voices
But the meek shall inherit the earth. Above all others they shall enjoy life. Even if they suffer, their consolations shall overtop their tribulations. By inheriting the land is meant obtaining covenant privileges and the salvation of God. Such as are truly humble shall take their lot with the rest of the heirs of grace, to whom all good things come by a sacred birthright. And shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. Peace they love and peace they shall have. If they find not abundance of gold, abundance of peace will serve their turn far better.
But the meek shall inherit the earth. Above all others they shall enjoy life. Even if they suffer, their consolations shall overtop their tribulations. By inheriting the land is meant obtaining covenant privileges and the salvation of God. Such as are truly humble shall take their lot with the rest of the heirs of grace, to whom all good things come by a sacred birthright. And shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. Peace they love and peace they shall have. If they find not abundance of gold, abundance of peace will serve their turn far better. Others find joy in strife, and thence arises their misery in due time, but peace leads on to peace, and the more a man loves it the more shall it come to him. In the halcyon period of the latter days, when universal peace shall make glad the earth, the full prophetic meaning of words like these will be made plain.
But the meek shall inherit the earth. Above all others they shall enjoy life. Even if they suffer, their consolations shall overtop their tribulations. By inheriting the land is meant obtaining covenant privileges and the salvation of God. Such as are truly humble shall take their lot with the rest of the heirs of grace, to whom all good things come by a sacred birthright. And shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. Peace they love and peace they shall have. If they find not abundance of gold, abundance of peace will serve their turn far better.
But the meek - ענוים anavim, the afflicted, the poor Jewish captives. Shall inherit the earth - ארץ arets, the land of Judea given by God himself as an inheritance to their fathers, and to their posterity for ever. See Psa 37:9.
A commentator
Albert Barnes1798–1870
Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)
proposed
But the meek shall inherit the earth - See the notes at Psa 37:3. On the meaning of the word here rendered “meek,” see the notes at Psa 9:12, where it is rendered “humble.” The word properly denotes those who are afflicted, distressed, needy; then, those who are of humble rank in life; then, the mild, the gentle, the meek. The term here is a general one to denote those who are the friends of God, considered as meek, mild, gentle, humble, in contradistinction from the wicked who are proud and haughty; perhaps also, in this connection, in contrast with the wicked as prosperous in life. It was probably this passage that the Saviour quoted in Mat 5:5. And shall delight themselves - (a) Shall “prefer” what is here referred to as the source of their happiness, or as in accordance with the desires of their hearts; (b) shall “find” actual delight or happiness in this. Though not rich and prospered in this world as the wicked often are, yet they will have their own sources of enjoyment, and will find happiness in what they prefer. In the abundance of peace - In abundant peace. In the tranquility and quietness in which they spend their lives, in contrast with the jealousies, the contentions, and the strifes which exist among the wicked even when prosperous. They will have peace with God Psa 29:11; Psa 85:8; Psa 119:165; Rom 5:1; they will have peace in their own consciences; they will have peace in the calmness of a quiet and contented spirit; they will have peace with those around them, as they have no passions to gratify, and no object to secure, which will excite the envy, or stir up the wrath, of others.
How the passage was read
What the Jewish commentators add
On the verses either side of this one
A short while longer When you wait a little longer, you will see that the wicked man is not here.
This section is reception history: how the passage was read and kept in the Jewish tradition. Where a reading parts from an essential of the Christian faith, the section says so at that point.
Texts and citation data: Sefaria; each excerpt follows its version’s licence. 5 further sources are cited on this chapter that carry no English text this site may quote or only restate the verse.
The words behind it
7 Hebrew wordsEvery Hebrew word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Hebrew | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| וַעֲנָוִ֥ים | vaanavim | and humble [people] | H6035 → | 22 times |
| יִֽירְשׁוּ־ | yireshu- | they will possess | H3423 → | 231 times |
| אָ֑רֶץ | ʾaretz | [the] land | H776 → | 2504 times |
| וְ֝הִתְעַנְּג֗וּ | vehitanegu | and they will take delight | H6026 → | |
| עַל־ | ʾal- | on | H5921 → | 5755 times |
| רֹ֥ב | ro | abundance of | H7230 → | 149 times |
| שָׁלֽוֹם׃ | shalom | well-being | H7965 → | 236 times |
וַעֲנָוִ֥יםand humble [people]
vaanavimH6035 →22 times
יִֽירְשׁוּ־they will possess
yireshu-H3423 →231 times
אָ֑רֶץ[the] land
ʾaretzH776 →2504 times
וְ֝הִתְעַנְּג֗וּand they will take delight
vehitaneguH6026 →
עַל־on
ʾal-H5921 →5755 times
רֹ֥בabundance of
roH7230 →149 times
שָׁלֽוֹם׃well-being
shalomH7965 →236 times
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 stopsEach card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.
Through
Isaiah 26:3You will keep in perfect peace the steadfast of mind, because he trusts in You.
it leads to
- Philippians 4:7
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Reached by 2 separate paths from here.
- John 14:27
Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled; do not be afraid.
Reached by 2 separate paths from here.
- John 16:33
I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take courage; I have overcome the world!”
- Jeremiah 17:7–8
But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in Him.
- Psalms 9:10
Those who know Your name trust in You, for You, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You.
- Philippians 4:7
Through
James 3:13Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good conduct, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.
it leads to
- Galatians 5:23
gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Reached by 2 separate paths from here.
- Galatians 5:23
Through
Matthew 5:5Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
it leads to
- Colossians 3:12
Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
Reached by 2 separate paths from here.
- Isaiah 29:19
The humble will increase their joy in the LORD, and the poor among men will rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.
- Colossians 3:12
Where this verse is studied
On this page
Studies6
About Psalms
This page draws on 14 works. Open the list of works
This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes on the Book of Psalms; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Ambrose of Milan, Commentaries on the Twelve Davidic Psalms; Ambrose of Milan, COMMENTARY ON TWELVE PSALMS 37:22; Augustine of Hippo, Exposition on Psalm 37; Cassiodorus, EXPLANATION OF THE PSALMS 37:11; Charles Spurgeon, The Treasury of David; Charles Spurgeon, The Treasury of David, Vol. 2; Didache, The Didache, Chapter 3; John Gill, Exposition of the Old Testament (1748-1763); Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible and Thomas Aquinas, Exposition on the Psalms of David.