Meaning, commentary and cross references
Psalms 37:4
“Delight yourself in the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.”In other translations
KJV · King James Version
Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
NIV · New International Version
Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
WEB · World English Bible
Also delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
What does Psalms 37:4 mean?
John Gill · Exposition of the Entire Bible, on Psalms 37:4
Delight thyself also in the Lord,.... In the persons in God, Father, Son, and Spirit; in the perfections of God, his power, goodness, faithfulness, wisdom, love, grace, and mercy; in his works of creation, providence, and redemption; in his word, his Gospel, the truths and ordinances of it; in his house, and the worship of it; and in his people, the excellent in the earth, in whom was all the delight of the psalmist; and each of these afford a field of delight and pleasure, to attend unto, contemplate, and meditate upon; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart; such as are according to the will of God, and for the good of his people; such as relate to communion with him, and to…
John Gill, Exposition of the Entire Bible (1746–63). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Matthew Henry · Commentary on the Whole Bible, on Psalms 37:1–6
And even this pleasant duty of delighting in God has a promise annexed to it, which is very full and precious, enough to recompense the hardest services: He shall give thee the desires of thy heart. He has not promised to gratify all the appetites of the body and the humours of the fancy, but to grant all the desires of the heart, all the cravings of the renewed sanctified soul. What is the desire of the heart of a good man? It is this, to know, and love, and live to God, to please him and to be pleased in him. 3.
Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706–21; Romans–Revelation completed by Nonconformist ministers). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
John Calvin · Commentaries, on Psalms 37:1–6
4. And delight thyself in Jehovah This delight is set in opposition to the vain and deceitful allurements of the world, which so intoxicate the ungodly, that despising the blessing of God, they dream of no other happiness than what presents itself for the time before their eyes. This contrast between the vain and fickle joys with which the world is deluded, and the true repose enjoyed by the godly, ought to be carefully observed; for whether all things smile upon us, or whether the Lord exercise us with adversities, we ought always to hold fast this principle, that as the Lord is the portion of our inheritance, our lot has fallen in pleasant places, [21] as we have seen in Psalm 16:5, 6. We…
John Calvin, Commentaries (Calvin Translation Society English text). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Context: Psalms 37:1–7 (WEB)
1By David. Don’t fret because of evildoers, neither be envious against those who work unrighteousness. 2For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither like the green herb. 3Trust in the LORD, and do good. Dwell in the land, and enjoy safe pasture. 4Also delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. 5Commit your way to the LORD. Trust also in him, and he will do this: 6he will make your righteousness shine out like light, and your justice as the noon day sun. 7Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him. Don’t fret because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who makes wicked plots happen.
Cross references
- John 15:7
If you remain in me, and my words remain in you, you will ask whatever you desire, and it will be done for you.
- Psalms 145:19
- John 15:16
You didn’t choose me, but I chose you and appointed you, that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain; that whatever you will ask of the Father in my name, he may give it to you.
- Isaiah 58:14
then you will delight yourself in the LORD, and I will make you to ride on the high places of the earth, and I will feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father;” for the LORD’s mouth has spoken it.
- 1 John 5:14–15
This is the boldness which we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he listens to us.
- Psalms 21:1–2
- Job 22:26
For then you will delight yourself in the Almighty, and will lift up your face to God.
- 1 Peter 1:8
whom, not having known, you love. In him, though now you don’t see him, yet believing, you rejoice greatly with joy that is unspeakable and full of glory,