Psalms 37:34

KJV

¶ Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see [it].

KJV (with Strong's)

Wait {H6960} on the LORD {H3068}, and keep {H8104}{H8798)} his way {H1870}, and he shall exalt {H7311}{H8787)} thee to inherit {H3423}{H8800)} the land {H776}: when the wicked {H7563} are cut off {H3772}{H8736)}, thou shalt see {H7200}{H8799)} it.

Complete Jewish Bible

Put your hope in ADONAI, keep to his way, and he will raise you up to inherit the land. When the wicked are cut off, you will see it.

Berean Standard Bible

Wait for the LORD and keep His way, and He will raise you up to inherit the land. When the wicked are cut off, you will see it.

American Standard Version

Wait for Jehovah, and keep his way, And he will exalt thee to inherit the land: When the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 37:34 offers a profound exhortation to the righteous, urging them to cultivate patient reliance on God and unwavering obedience to His commands. It promises divine vindication and blessing, assuring believers that the Lord Himself will elevate them to a state of security and spiritual inheritance. This promise is underscored by the certainty of God's ultimate justice, where the temporary flourishing of the wicked will cease, and their demise will be evident to those who have faithfully waited on the Lord.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 37 is a wisdom psalm, likely an acrostic (though imperfectly so in the Masoretic Text), designed to instruct believers on how to live righteously in a world where the wicked often seem to prosper. It belongs to a genre that addresses the problem of evil and divine justice, a common theme in the Wisdom Literature (e.g., Job, Ecclesiastes). Throughout the psalm, David (traditionally attributed) offers a series of antithetical couplets or quatrains contrasting the fleeting success of the wicked with the enduring blessedness of the righteous. Verse 34 serves as a climactic summary of the psalm's central message, reinforcing the call to trust and obedience amidst apparent injustice, culminating in the assurance of God's ultimate intervention and judgment. It reiterates the core theme found in earlier verses, such as [Psalm 37:3](/psalms/37-3 "Psalm 37:3 - Trust in the Lord and Do Good"), [Psalm 37:5](/psalms/37-5 "Psalm 37:5 - Commit Your Way to the Lord"), and [Psalm 37:7](/psalms/37-7 "Psalm 37:7 - Rest in the Lord and Wait Patiently").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The psalm reflects the ancient Near Eastern wisdom tradition, which often observed the moral order of the cosmos and the eventual triumph of justice. For ancient Israel, the concept of "inheriting the land" (`'erets`) held deep significance, rooted in the Abrahamic and Mosaic covenants. It was not merely a promise of physical territory but represented a state of covenantal blessing, security, prosperity, and peace within God's promised domain, free from enemies and famine. This inheritance was conditional upon faithfulness and obedience to God's commands, as outlined in passages like [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses"). The "cutting off" of the wicked (`karat`) was a common biblical idiom for divine judgment, signifying their utter destruction or removal from the community, often implying a reversal of their perceived prosperity. This cultural understanding of land, blessing, and divine retribution provides the backdrop for the psalmist's encouragement.
* **Key Themes:** The verse encapsulates several major themes woven throughout Psalm 37 and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it emphasizes **active, patient endurance and unwavering trust** in God's timing and sovereignty, urging believers not to "fret" or be envious of evildoers ([Psalm 37:1](/psalms/37-1 "Psalm 37:1 - Do Not Fret Because of Evildoers")). Secondly, it highlights the indispensable role of **steadfast obedience and righteous living** as the necessary complement to waiting, underscoring that faith is active and expressed through adherence to God's "way." Thirdly, it promises **divine vindication and exaltation**, assuring that God will ultimately honor and elevate His faithful ones, granting them a lasting "inheritance" that contrasts sharply with the fleeting gains of the wicked. Finally, the verse powerfully affirms the certainty of **ultimate divine justice**, where the righteous will witness the inevitable downfall and "cutting off" of those who defy God, providing comfort and hope amidst present inequities, echoing the sentiment found in [Romans 12:19](/romans/12-19 "Romans 12:19 - Vengeance Belongs to God"). This promise of inheritance also finds resonance in the New Testament, where the meek are promised to [inherit the earth](/matthew/5-5 "Matthew 5:5 - The Meek Inherit the Earth").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Wait (Hebrew, _qavah'_):** This word signifies far more than passive idleness. It conveys the idea of an active, hopeful, and enduring expectation. It implies binding oneself to something, like a rope twisted together for strength. Thus, "waiting on the LORD" means to cling to Him, to hope in His promises, to patiently endure trials, and to confidently anticipate His intervention, knowing that He is at work even when circumstances suggest otherwise. It's an act of faith-filled perseverance.
* **Keep (Hebrew, _shamar'_):** This verb means to guard, observe, watch over, or diligently obey. When applied to "His way," it denotes a careful, intentional adherence to God's commands, statutes, and moral principles. It suggests a lifestyle of active righteousness, where one's conduct is consistently aligned with divine will, even when it is challenging or seems unrewarded in the short term. It is the practical outworking of one's trust in God.
* **Land (Hebrew, _'erets'_):** While literally referring to the physical territory of Israel, in the context of the Psalms and broader biblical theology, `'erets` often carries a deeper, symbolic meaning. It represents a state of security, peace, prosperity, and covenantal blessing—a place of rest and flourishing under God's favor. For the righteous, it signifies their secure dwelling, their lasting portion, and their ultimate vindication in God's established order, contrasting with the rootlessness and destruction awaiting the wicked.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Wait on the LORD":** This is the primary exhortation, setting the tone for the verse. It calls for a deliberate, active posture of patient reliance and confident expectation in God. It implies surrendering one's own timeline and methods, choosing instead to trust in God's sovereign plan and perfect timing for justice and blessing. It is a command to cultivate spiritual steadfastness.
* **"and keep his way":** This clause immediately follows, emphasizing that waiting is not passive. True waiting is accompanied by diligent obedience and righteous living. It means maintaining fidelity to God's moral and spiritual path, even when the wicked appear to prosper by deviating from it. This is the practical demonstration of faith and trust.
* **"and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land":** This is God's promise and the assured outcome for those who wait and obey. "Exalt thee" signifies divine vindication, elevation, and honor. "Inherit the land" speaks of receiving a lasting portion, security, and blessing from God, a permanent dwelling in His favor. This inheritance is a direct result of God's faithfulness to His covenant promises.
* **"when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see [it]":** This final clause provides the ultimate assurance of divine justice. It guarantees that the prosperity of the wicked is temporary and their end is certain destruction or removal from God's favor. The righteous will not only receive their inheritance but will also witness the manifestation of God's perfect judgment, confirming His righteousness and their vindication. The "[it]" refers to the cutting off of the wicked, underscoring the clear distinction between the two paths.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 37:34 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message. **Parallelism** is evident in the structure, where the commands ("Wait on the LORD, and keep his way") are directly juxtaposed with their promised outcomes ("he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see [it]"). This creates a clear cause-and-effect relationship, reinforcing the psalmist's didactic purpose. **Contrast** is central to the entire psalm and particularly highlighted here, setting the destiny of the righteous against that of the wicked. The enduring "inheritance" of the faithful stands in stark opposition to the "cutting off" of the ungodly, emphasizing the divergent paths and ultimate ends. Furthermore, the phrase "inherit the land" functions as **Symbolism**, extending beyond a mere physical territory to represent a state of secure blessing, covenantal fulfillment, and spiritual flourishing under God's sovereign rule. The psalmist uses these devices to create a memorable and persuasive exhortation to steadfast faith and obedience.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 37:34 is profoundly theological, anchoring the believer's hope in the immutable character of God. It speaks to God's unwavering justice, His covenant faithfulness, and His ultimate sovereignty over all human affairs. The verse challenges a superficial understanding of prosperity, asserting that true blessing and security are found not in temporal gains but in a relationship of trust and obedience to the Lord. It underscores the biblical principle that while God's justice may not always be immediate, it is always certain. This patience required of the righteous is not a passive resignation but an active, faith-filled endurance, rooted in the knowledge that God sees, God remembers, and God will act. The "inheritance of the land" points forward to the ultimate eschatological hope of a renewed creation and the secure dwelling of God's people in His presence, where righteousness finally prevails and all injustices are rectified. This verse, therefore, serves as a timeless reminder that God's timeline and methods are perfect, even when they diverge from human expectations.

* [Matthew 5:5](/matthew/5-5 "Matthew 5:5 - The Meek Inherit the Earth")
* [Isaiah 40:31](/isaiah/40-31 "Isaiah 40:31 - Those Who Wait on the Lord")
* [Romans 12:19](/romans/12-19 "Romans 12:19 - Vengeance Belongs to God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 37:34 offers a powerful antidote to the common human tendency to fret, envy, or despair when faced with apparent injustices or the prosperity of the wicked. It calls us to an active, spiritual discipline: to anchor our souls in God's promises and character, rather than in fleeting circumstances. For believers today, this means cultivating a deep, abiding trust in God's sovereignty, understanding that His timing is perfect and His justice is absolute. It demands that our waiting be accompanied by diligent obedience to His "way"—living righteously, loving mercy, and walking humbly, even when it seems unrewarded or difficult. This posture of patient obedience not only honors God but also transforms our own hearts, freeing us from the corrosive effects of envy and bitterness. Ultimately, the verse encourages us to look beyond the immediate horizon to God's ultimate vindication, finding our security and hope in His eternal inheritance, knowing that our faithful endurance will not be in vain.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does "waiting on the LORD" challenge your natural inclination to act quickly or take matters into your own hands?**
* **In what specific ways can you "keep His way" even when it seems the wicked are prospering around you?**
* **What does the promise of "inheriting the land" mean for you today, beyond a physical territory, in terms of spiritual security and blessing?**
* **How does the certainty of God's ultimate justice strengthen your resolve to live righteously in the face of present difficulties or injustices?**

### FAQ

**What does "wait on the LORD" truly mean in a practical sense?**

Answer: "Waiting on the LORD" (Hebrew: `qavah`) is not passive idleness but an active, hopeful, and patient endurance. Practically, it means surrendering your timeline and control to God, trusting in His perfect wisdom and timing. It involves prayer, studying His Word, seeking His will, and persevering in obedience even when circumstances are challenging or when answers seem delayed. It's about anchoring your soul to God's promises, like a ship anchored securely in a storm, rather than being tossed about by anxieties or the apparent success of the ungodly. It implies a deep reliance on God's power and faithfulness to act on your behalf, as seen in [Psalm 27:14](/psalms/27-14 "Psalm 27:14 - Wait for the Lord").

**Is "inherit the land" a literal or spiritual promise for believers today?**

Answer: For ancient Israel, "inheriting the land" (`'erets`) was a literal promise of dwelling securely in the Promised Land, a place of covenant blessing and prosperity. However, for New Testament believers, this promise is understood both literally and spiritually, and ultimately fulfilled in Christ. Spiritually, it signifies the secure possession of all spiritual blessings in Christ, including peace, joy, righteousness, and eternal life. Eschatologically, it points to the future inheritance of the new heavens and new earth, where God's people will dwell eternally in perfect righteousness and peace ([Revelation 21:1](/revelation/21-1 "Revelation 21:1 - New Heaven and New Earth")). Jesus Himself reinterprets this promise in the Beatitudes, stating that the meek will [inherit the earth](/matthew/5-5 "Matthew 5:5 - The Meek Inherit the Earth"), extending the concept beyond a physical territory to a universal, spiritual dominion and blessing for God's humble children.

**How can I avoid being discouraged when the wicked seem to prosper?**

Answer: The psalmist directly addresses this temptation throughout Psalm 37. To avoid discouragement, focus on God's sovereignty and His long-term perspective. Remember that the prosperity of the wicked is temporary and fleeting, like grass that quickly withers ([Psalm 37:2](/psalms/37-2 "Psalm 37:2 - They Soon Fade Like Grass")). Their end is certain destruction, while the righteous have an enduring inheritance. Cultivate a deep trust in God's perfect justice, knowing that He will ultimately vindicate His faithful ones and bring all things into account. Meditate on passages like [Psalm 73](/psalms/73 "Psalm 73 - The Prosperity of the Wicked"), where the psalmist confesses his own struggle with envy but finds peace and understanding when he enters God's sanctuary and perceives the ultimate end of the wicked. Your focus should be on God's faithfulness, not on the fleeting circumstances of the world.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 37:34 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. He is the preeminent example of one who perfectly "waited on the LORD" and flawlessly "kept His way." Throughout His earthly ministry, Jesus consistently demonstrated absolute reliance on His Father, submitting His will to God's perfect plan, even unto the cross ([John 6:38](/john/6-38 "John 6:38 - Jesus Does Not Seek His Own Will")). His life was the epitome of "keeping His way," marked by perfect obedience, righteousness, and faithfulness, even when faced with immense opposition and the apparent triumph of evil ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Jesus Was Tempted in Every Way")). Consequently, it is Jesus whom God has supremely "exalted," granting Him all authority in heaven and on earth ([Philippians 2:9-11](/philippians/2-9 "Philippians 2:9-11 - God Exalted Jesus")). He is the true heir of the "land"—not merely a physical territory, but the entire cosmos, the new creation, and the eternal Kingdom of God ([Hebrews 1:2](/hebrews/1-2 "God Has Spoken by His Son")). Furthermore, He is the one who will ultimately "cut off the wicked" at His glorious return, bringing final judgment and establishing His righteous reign ([Revelation 19:11-16](/revelation/19-11 "Christ's Return as Judge and King")). Believers, by virtue of their union with Christ, participate in His waiting, His obedience, His exaltation, and His inheritance. We are co-heirs with Him ([Romans 8:17](/romans/8-17 "Heirs with Christ")), inheriting the promises through His perfect fulfillment, and we too will witness the ultimate triumph of righteousness when He returns.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 27:14

Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

Proverbs 20:22

¶ Say not thou, I will recompense evil; [but] wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee.

Psalms 37:9

For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth.

Matthew 24:13

But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

Psalms 37:7

¶ Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.

Psalms 52:5

God shall likewise destroy thee for ever, he shall take thee away, and pluck thee out of [thy] dwelling place, and root thee out of the land of the living. Selah.

Psalms 52:6

¶ The righteous also shall see, and fear, and shall laugh at him: