"But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace."
Psalm 37:11
“But the meek.”
“The meek,” that is to those who are the “afflicted,” those who are “oppressed,” “those who are in trouble”[1] (Barnes). The word means “poor, humble, afflicted, meek”[2] (BDB). But note the implication here…
“But the meek = patient oppressed ones”[3] (Bullinger).
The meek know God, and they know the He is at work in their situation, and they patiently wait for Him.
“Shall inherit the earth.”
This psalm probably refers to the land of Judea and God’s promise to His children that they will inherit that land. God’s promise to them is recurring in the Psalms.
“Trust in the LORD, and do good, so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed” (Psalm 37:3).
“For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth” (Psalm 37:9).
“For such as be blessed of him shall inherit the earth, and they that be cursed of him shall be cut off” (Psalm 37:22).
“The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein forever” (Psalm 37:29).
“The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein forever” (Psalm 37:29).
Jesus taught,
“Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5).
What do these words mean to believers today?
“‘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,”[4] (Spurgeon).
“And shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.”
The meek, who love peace, will find peace. We may not have great riches, but what are riches worth without a peaceful life? Surely David’s words are prophetic, and we will not fully understand them until the Prince of Peace has come, and He is ruling on David’s throne. But we still take comfort in the thought that even though “meekness” is often looked down on today, it count’s with God and His Kingdom.
Believers, in Christ, we have that “peace that passes understanding.”
Quote:
“The victorious Christian neither exalts nor downgrades himself. His interests have shifted from self to Christ” (A.W. Tozer).
[1] Albert Barnes, Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible, the electronic version in eSword.
[2] Brown, Driver, Briggs. Brown-Driver-Briggs’ Hebrew Definitions, the electronic version in eSword.
[3] E.W. Bullinger, The Companion Bible, the electronic version in eSword.
[4] C.H. Spurgeon, Treasury of David, the electronic version in eSword.