Psalm 37:4
New International Version
Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

New Living Translation
Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you your heart’s desires.

English Standard Version
Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Berean Standard Bible
Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart.

King James Bible
Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

New King James Version
Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.

New American Standard Bible
Delight yourself in the LORD; And He will give you the desires of your heart.

NASB 1995
Delight yourself in the LORD; And He will give you the desires of your heart.

NASB 1977
Delight yourself in the LORD; And He will give you the desires of your heart.

Legacy Standard Bible
Delight yourself in Yahweh; And He will give you the desires of your heart.

Amplified Bible
Delight yourself in the LORD, And He will give you the desires and petitions of your heart.

Christian Standard Bible
Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you your heart’s desires.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Take delight in the LORD, and He will give you your heart’s desires.

American Standard Version
Delight thyself also in Jehovah; And he will give thee the desires of thy heart.

Contemporary English Version
Do what the LORD wants, and he will give you your heart's desire.

English Revised Version
Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Be happy with the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Good News Translation
Seek your happiness in the LORD, and he will give you your heart's desire.

International Standard Version
Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Majority Standard Bible
Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart.

NET Bible
Then you will take delight in the LORD, and he will answer your prayers.

New Heart English Bible
Also delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Webster's Bible Translation
Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he will give thee the desires of thy heart.

World English Bible
Also delight yourself in Yahweh, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And delight yourself on YHWH, "" And He gives to you the petitions of your heart.

Young's Literal Translation
And delight thyself on Jehovah, And He giveth to thee the petitions of thy heart.

Smith's Literal Translation
And delight thyself upon Jehovah, and he shall give to thee the petitions of thy heart.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Delight in the Lord, and he will give thee the requests of thy heart.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Delight in the Lord, and he will grant to you the petitions of your heart.

New American Bible
Find your delight in the LORD who will give you your heart’s desire.

New Revised Standard Version
Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Trust in the LORD; and he shall give you the desires of your heart.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Hope in LORD JEHOVAH and he will give you the requests of your heart.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
So shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD; And He shall give thee the petitions of thy heart.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Delight thyself in the Lord; and he shall grant thee the requests of thine heart.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Do Not Envy Those who Do Wrong
3Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness. 4Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart. 5Commit your way to the LORD; trust in Him, and He will do it.…

Cross References
Matthew 6:33
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.

John 15:7
If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

Philippians 4:4-7
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! / Let your gentleness be apparent to all. The Lord is near. / Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ...

1 John 5:14-15
And this is the confidence that we have before Him: If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. / And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we already possess what we have asked of Him.

James 4:3
And when you do ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may squander it on your pleasures.

Romans 8:28
And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.

1 Peter 5:7
Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.

Matthew 7:7-11
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. / For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. / Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? ...

John 14:13-14
And I will do whatever you ask in My name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. / If you ask Me for anything in My name, I will do it.

Hebrews 11:6
And without faith it is impossible to please God. For anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.

Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; / in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.

Isaiah 58:14
then you will delight yourself in the LORD, and I will make you ride on the heights of the land and feed you with the heritage of your father Jacob.” For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.

Psalm 21:2
You have granted his heart’s desire and have not withheld the request of his lips. Selah

Psalm 145:19
He fulfills the desires of those who fear Him; He hears their cry and saves them.

Psalm 73:25-26
Whom have I in heaven but You? And on earth I desire no one besides You. / My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.


Treasury of Scripture

Delight yourself also in the LORD: and he shall give you the desires of your heart.

Delight

Psalm 43:4
Then will I go unto the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy: yea, upon the harp will I praise thee, O God my God.

Psalm 104:34
My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD.

Job 27:10
Will he delight himself in the Almighty? will he always call upon God?

and

Psalm 21:1,2
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The king shall joy in thy strength, O LORD; and in thy salvation how greatly shall he rejoice! …

Psalm 145:19
He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them.

John 15:7,16
If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you…

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Delight Desires Heart Heart's Petitions Thyself
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Delight Desires Heart Heart's Petitions Thyself
Psalm 37
1. David persuades to patience and confidence in God,
12. by the different estate of the godly and the wicked














Delight yourself in the LORD
This phrase emphasizes the importance of finding joy and satisfaction in a relationship with God. In the biblical context, "delight" implies a deep, abiding pleasure and commitment. The Hebrew word used here suggests a sense of softness or pliability, indicating a heart open to God's influence. This concept is echoed in other scriptures, such as Psalm 1:2, where the righteous person delights in the law of the Lord. Historically, the Israelites were called to find their joy in God rather than in worldly pursuits, a theme prevalent throughout the Old Testament. This delight is not merely emotional but involves a commitment to God's will and ways, aligning one's life with His purposes.

and He will give you the desires of your heart
This promise is contingent upon the first phrase, suggesting that when one's delight is truly in the Lord, their desires will naturally align with His will. The "desires of your heart" are not simply any personal wishes but those that are in harmony with God's character and plans. This reflects a transformation of the heart, where one's desires become reflective of God's desires. In the New Testament, Jesus speaks to this alignment in John 15:7, where abiding in Him and His words leads to answered prayers. Theologically, this indicates a deep trust in God's provision and timing, recognizing that He knows what is best for His children. The fulfillment of these desires is not always immediate or in the way one might expect, but it is assured for those who truly delight in the Lord.

Persons / Places / Events
1. David
The author of Psalm 37, David was the second king of Israel, known for his deep relationship with God and his poetic contributions to the Book of Psalms.

2. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant name of God, emphasizing His eternal, self-existent nature and His relationship with His people.

3. The Heart
In Hebrew thought, the heart ("lev") represents the center of human emotion, thought, and will.
Teaching Points
Delight as a Priority
Delighting in the Lord should be a primary focus of a believer's life. It involves finding joy and satisfaction in God's presence, character, and promises.

Alignment of Desires
When we truly delight in the Lord, our desires begin to align with His will. This means that the desires of our heart become those that are pleasing to Him.

Active Pursuit of God
Delighting in the Lord is an active pursuit. It involves engaging with Scripture, prayer, worship, and fellowship with other believers.

Trust in God's Timing
Trust that God knows the best timing and way to fulfill the desires of your heart. His understanding and plans are perfect.

Transformation of the Heart
As we delight in God, He transforms our hearts, making us more like Christ and aligning our desires with His purposes.Verse 4. - Delight thyself also in the Lord. Draw from communion with God all that inward intensity of joy which it is capable of giving. And he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. God will then grant thee all thy desires, and make thee perfectly happy.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Delight yourself
וְהִתְעַנַּ֥ג (wə·hiṯ·‘an·naḡ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 6026: To be soft, pliable, effeminate, luxurious

in
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the LORD,
יְהוָ֑ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

and He will give
וְיִֽתֶּן־ (wə·yit·ten-)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

you
לְ֝ךָ֗ (lə·ḵā)
Preposition | second person masculine singular
Strong's Hebrew

the desires
מִשְׁאֲלֹ֥ת (miš·’ă·lōṯ)
Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 4862: Request, petition

of your heart.
לִבֶּֽךָ׃ (lib·be·ḵā)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 3820: The heart, the feelings, the will, the intellect, centre


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OT Poetry: Psalm 37:4 Also delight yourself in Yahweh and he (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 37:3
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