Psalms 37:22

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

For [such as be] blessed of him shall inherit the earth; and [they that be] cursed of him shall be cut off.

Complete Jewish Bible:

For those blessed by [ADONAI] will inherit the land, but those cursed by him will be cut off.

Berean Standard Bible:

Surely those He blesses will inherit the land, but the cursed will be destroyed.

American Standard Version:

For such as are blessed of him shall inherit the land; And they that are cursed of him shall be cut off.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

For such as be blessed^{H1288} of him shall inherit^{H3423}{H8799)} the earth^{H776}; and they that be cursed^{H7043}{H8794)} of him shall be cut off^{H3772}{H8735)}.

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Commentary for Psalms 37:22

Psalm 37:22 is part of a wisdom psalm attributed to David, which deals with the age-old question of why the wicked seem to prosper while the righteous suffer. The verse reflects a common theme in biblical wisdom literature, emphasizing the ultimate fate of individuals based on their moral standing before God.

In its historical context, the psalm likely emerged during a period when the Israelites observed corrupt individuals gaining wealth and power, which appeared to contradict the traditional understanding of God's justice. The verse addresses this concern by asserting a divine promise: those who are "blessed of him," meaning those who are righteous and favored by God, will eventually "inherit the earth." This phrase suggests that the faithful will receive their due reward, which includes not just heavenly blessings but also tangible, earthly prosperity and stability.

Conversely, "they that be cursed of him," referring to the wicked who oppose God's will, "shall be cut off." This implies that their prosperity is temporary and their legacy will not endure. The verse reassures the faithful that God's justice will prevail, even if it is not immediately evident. It encourages trust in God's providence and patience in the face of apparent injustices, affirming that righteousness will be vindicated in the fullness of time.

The themes of divine blessing, inheritance, and the ultimate downfall of the wicked are recurrent in both the Old and New Testaments, resonating with teachings found in the prophets, the wisdom books, and the messages of Jesus, such as the Beatitudes in Matthew 5, which also speak of inheriting the earth. Psalm 37:22 thus offers a succinct expression of the belief in God's sovereignty and the moral order He upholds.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H1288
   There are 289 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בָרַךְ
   Transliteration: bârak
   Pronunciation: baw-rak'
   Description: a primitive root; to kneel; by implication to bless God (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (God or the king, as treason); [idiom] abundantly, [idiom] altogether, [idiom] at all, blaspheme, bless, congratulate, curse, [idiom] greatly, [idiom] indeed, kneel (down), praise, salute, [idiom] still, thank.
   
2. Strong's Number: H3423
   There are 204 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָרַשׁ
   Transliteration: yârash
   Pronunciation: yaw-rash'
   Description: or יָרֵשׁ; a primitive root; to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by implication, to seize, to rob, to inherit; also to expel, to impoverish, to ruin; cast out, consume, destroy, disinherit, dispossess, drive(-ing) out, enjoy, expel, [idiom] without fail, (give to, leave for) inherit(-ance, -or) [phrase] magistrate, be (make) poor, come to poverty, (give to, make to) possess, get (have) in (take) possession, seize upon, succeed, [idiom] utterly.
   
3. Strong's Number: H776
   There are 2739 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֶרֶץ
   Transliteration: ʼerets
   Pronunciation: eh'-rets
   Description: from an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth (at large, or partitively a land); [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world.
   
4. Strong's Number: H7043
   There are 79 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: קָלַל
   Transliteration: qâlal
   Pronunciation: kaw-lal'
   Description: a primitive root; to be (causatively, make) light, literally (swift, small, sharp, etc.) or figuratively (easy, trifling, vile, etc.); abate, make bright, bring into contempt, (ac-) curse, despise, (be) ease(-y, -ier), (be a, make, make somewhat, move, seem a, set) light(-en, -er, -ly, -ly afflict, -ly esteem, thing), [idiom] slight(-ly), be swift(-er), (be, be more, make, re-) vile, whet.
   
5. Strong's Number: H3772
   There are 280 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: כָּרַת
   Transliteration: kârath
   Pronunciation: kaw-rath'
   Description: a primitive root; to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e. make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutting flesh and passing between the pieces); be chewed, be con-(feder-) ate, covenant, cut (down, off), destroy, fail, feller, be freed, hew (down), make a league (covenant), [idiom] lose, perish, [idiom] utterly, [idiom] want.