Bible Strands
Psalms 37:4
Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The psalmist addresses the covenant community, positioning this instruction between the commands to trust in the Lord and do good (Psalms 37:3) and to commit one’s way to Him (Psalms 37:5).
The words — הִתְעַנֵּג (hit'enag) means to take delight or find pleasure, and מִשְׁאֲלוֹת (mish'alot) denotes requests or desires.
The thread — This pattern of governed asking appears in John 15:7, where remaining in Christ determines requests, and in Psalms 145:19, where God fulfills the desires of those who fear Him.
Why it lands — The verse requires a prior shift of affection toward God before any request is answered, establishing that the heart’s desires are aligned and fulfilled only after that initial delight.
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
Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
Cross-references
- John 15:7 If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
- Psalms 145:19 He fulfills the desires of those who fear Him; He hears their cry and saves them.
- John 15:16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will remain—so that whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you.
- Isaiah 58:14 then you will delight yourself in the LORD, and I will make you ride on the heights of the land and feed you with the heritage of your father Jacob.” For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.
- 1 John 5:14 And this is the confidence that we have before Him: If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.
- Psalms 21:1 For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. O LORD, the king rejoices in Your strength. How greatly he exults in Your salvation!
- Job 22:26 Surely then you will delight in the Almighty and lift up your face to God.
- 1 Peter 1:8 Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and rejoice with an inexpressible and glorious joy,
- Psalms 104:34 May my meditation be pleasing to Him, for I rejoice in the LORD.
- Job 27:10 Will he delight in the Almighty? Will he call upon God at all times?