Meaning, commentary and cross references
Psalms 37:5
“Commit your way to the Lord;
trust in him, and he will act.”In other translations
KJV · King James Version
Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
NIV · New International Version
Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this:
WEB · World English Bible
Commit your way to the LORD. Trust also in him, and he will do this:
What does Psalms 37:5 mean?
John Gill · Exposition of the Entire Bible, on Psalms 37:5
Commit thy way unto the Lord,.... Or "thy works", as in Proverbs 16:3; that is, all the affairs and business of life, which are a man's ways in which he walks; not that men should sit still, be inactive, and do nothing, and leave all to be done by the Lord; but should seek direction of God in everything engaged in, and for strength and assistance to perform it, and go on in it, and depend upon him for success, and give him all the glory, without trusting to any thing done by them: or, as some render the words, "reveal thy way unto the Lord" (n); not that God is ignorant of the ways of men, and of their affairs, and of their wants and necessities, but it is their duty to ask, and it is his…
John Gill, Exposition of the Entire Bible (1746–63). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
John Calvin · Commentaries, on Psalms 37:1–6
5. Roll [22] thy ways upon Jehovah. Here David illustrates and confirms the doctrine contained in the preceding verse. In order that God may accomplish our desires, it behoves us to cast all our cares upon him in the exercise of hope and patience.
John Calvin, Commentaries (Calvin Translation Society English text). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Context: Psalms 37:2–8 (WEB)
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. 8Cease from anger, and forsake wrath. Don’t fret; it leads only to evildoing.
Cross references
- Proverbs 16:3
Commit your deeds to the LORD, and your plans shall succeed.
- 1 Peter 5:7
casting all your worries on him, because he cares for you.
- Philippians 4:6–7
In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.
- Matthew 6:25
Therefore I tell you, don’t be anxious for your life: what you will eat, or what you will drink; nor yet for your body, what you will wear. Isn’t life more than food, and the body more than clothing?
- Psalms 55:22
- James 4:15
For you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will both live, and do this or that.”
- Job 22:28
You will also decree a thing, and it will be established to you. Light will shine on your ways.
- Luke 12:29–30
“Don’t seek what you will eat or what you will drink; neither be anxious.