Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 37:11

But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.

11. The promise is reaffirmed in a larger sense in the beatitude of Mat 5:5, the language of which reproduces the rendering of the LXX here: .

in the abundance of peace ] Cp. Psa 72:7; Psa 119:165; Isa 32:17.

Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

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.

Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible

Verse 11. But the meek] anavim, the afflicted, the poor Jewish captives.

Shall inherit the earth] arets, the land of Judea, given by God himself as an inheritance to their fathers, and to their posterity for ever. See Ps 37:9.

Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible

The meek, i.e. the godly, who are frequently thus called, as Psa 22:26; 149:4; those who patiently bear Gods afflicting hand, and meekly pass by injuries from ungodly men. The abundance of peace; partly of outward peace and prosperity, which God in his due time will give them; and principally of inward peace and satisfaction of mind, in the sense of Gods favour, and the assurance of his own endless happiness.

Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole

11. peaceincludes prosperity.

Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

But the meek shall inherit the earth,….

[See comments on Ps 37:9]; of this character

[See comments on Ps 22:26]. Our Lord seems to refer to this passage in Mt 5:5;

and shall delight themselves is the abundance of peace; of spiritual peace enjoyed in a way of believing, arising from a comfortable view of interest in the blood, righteousness, and sacrifice of Christ; and of all happiness and prosperity in the kingdom of Christ here on earth, at which time there will be abundance of peace, Ps 72:7; or of eternal peace in the world to come, which will be a state of uninterrupted and unspeakable peace; see Ps 37:37; all which afford inconceivable delight and pleasure; and therefore such have no need to fret and be envious at the fading happiness of wicked men.

Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible

(11) Shall inherit.A repetition of Psa. 37:3.Better, are heirs of the land, i.e., Canaan. Christs Beatitude (see Mat. 5:3, N. Test. Commentary) widens the promise and lifts it to a higher level. The quiet, unpretending, contented servant of God gets more true blessedness out of the earth, and so more truly possesses it, than the ungodly, though they be lords of broad acres.

Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)

11. The meek shall inherit the earth Quoted by our Lord, (Mat 5:5,) where the Greek ( ge) stands for the Hebrew , ( arets,) both generic terms, signifying earth, land, country, etc. The word occurs six times in this psalm, and is three times translated land, (land of Palestine,) and three times earth. There is no rule for determining whether the former or the latter rendering should be given but by the context, but the restricted sense of land, as the abode of the covenant people, would seem more probable here, particularly as the sovereign control of that country was the great point in dispute between the Jews and the nations, and was the standing sign of the reward of righteousness to the Hebrews. Our Lord’s quotation, given above, might have also been intended to admonish the Jews that the character necessary to perpetuate their abode in their native soil was the condition of heirship to his kingdom.

Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

The Reader will not forget that Jesus hath said the same, and pronounced a blessedness on the meek, Mat 5:5 . But Reader! do not, by looking to the meekness of any follower of the Lord, overlook the source of it, and more especially the meek and lowly Jesus. Yea, Lord! I would pray to learn of thee; for thou art meek and lowly in heart. Mat 11:29 .

Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)

Psa 37:11 But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.

Ver. 11. But the meek shall inherit the earth ] Our Saviour (and probably from hence) saith the same, Mat 5:5 . See Trapp on “ Mat 5:5 “ See Trapp on “ Psa 37:9 “

And shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace ] Because cured of the fret, and well content with their present condition; hence that , rectitude of mind, the mother of all true mirth; when the wicked are in a perpetual disquietude, , they are never at rest.

Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)

But the meek = patient oppressed ones. Quoted in Mat 5:5.

Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics

the meek: Mat 5:5, Gal 5:22, Gal 5:23, 1Ti 6:11, Jam 1:21, Jam 3:13

delight: Psa 36:8, Psa 72:7, Psa 119:165, Isa 26:3, Isa 48:18, Isa 57:18-21, Joh 14:27, Phi 4:7

Reciprocal: Gen 39:22 – committed Psa 25:13 – inherit Psa 37:9 – inherit Psa 37:22 – Blessed Psa 37:29 – General Psa 147:6 – lifteth up Pro 2:21 – General Pro 3:17 – all Pro 28:10 – but Ecc 8:12 – surely Isa 29:19 – meek Isa 58:14 – delight Isa 60:21 – inherit Jer 33:6 – and will

Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge