Bible Strands
Psalms 37:11
But the meek will inherit the land and delight in abundant prosperity.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — David (or the psalmist) speaks to the righteous who are watching the wicked scheme and prosper. The moment is one of waiting: the wicked are still present (v. 10) and still gnashing (v. 12), and the promise is set against that tension.
The words — עָנָוִים ('anavim) carries the sense of "humble people," not merely soft or passive, but those who do not seize by force. The object of their delight is רֹב שָׁלוֹם (rov shalom), "abundance of well-being," which is more specific and more stable than the BSB's "abundant prosperity."
The thread — Matthew 5:5 echoes the inheritance promise almost verbatim. Isaiah 26:3 ties shalom to steadfast trust in God, and Galatians 5:22 lists peace as fruit of the Spirit, linking the inner disposition to the outcome.
Why it lands — It asks the reader to release the instinct to grab and compete, and to accept that the land is inherited by those who do not scheme. The cost is patience in the face of those who are still gnashing their teeth.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.
Cross-references
- Matthew 5:5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
- Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
- Isaiah 26:3 You will keep in perfect peace the steadfast of mind, because he trusts in You.
- James 3:13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good conduct, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.
- Psalms 119:165 Abundant peace belongs to those who love Your law; nothing can make them stumble.
- Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
- Isaiah 48:18 If only you had paid attention to My commandments, your peace would have been like a river, and your righteousness like waves of the sea.
- 1 Timothy 6:11 But you, O man of God, flee from these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.
- Psalms 36:8 They feast on the abundance of Your house, and You give them drink from Your river of delights.
- Psalms 72:7 May the righteous flourish in his days and prosperity abound until the moon is no more.