How does Psalm 37:10 connect with Matthew 5:5 about the meek inheriting? Opening Verses Psalm 37:10: “Yet a little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found.” Psalm 37:11: “But the meek will inherit the land and delight in abundant prosperity.” Matthew 5:5: “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.” Seeing the Shared Promise • Both passages speak of the meek inheriting territory—“the land” (Psalm) and “the earth” (Matthew). • Jesus’ beatitude is a direct echo of Psalm 37:11, carrying its hope forward. • Psalm 37:10 sets the stage: the wicked are removed, clearing the way for the meek to receive what God has prepared. Key Words to Notice • Meek (Hebrew ʿanav, Greek praus): humble, gentle, yielded to God’s will rather than self-assertive. • Inherit (Hebrew yarash, Greek klēronomeō): receive property or possession by legal right. • Land/Earth (Hebrew ʾerets, Greek gē): the immediate territory promised to Israel but also the whole physical planet, depending on context. The Flow of Psalm 37 1. Verses 1-9: Trust the LORD, do good, refrain from envy. 2. Verse 10: The wicked vanish “in a little while,” underscoring the temporary nature of evil rule. 3. Verse 11: The meek inherit; prosperity follows. 4. Verses 12-40: Repeated contrasts show God actively dispossessing evildoers and settling the righteous. How Jesus Amplifies the Psalm • Location shift: From the hills of Judah (Psalm 37) to the hillside of Galilee (Matthew 5). • Audience shift: From Israel under David to disciples gathered around Jesus, yet the promise remains unchanged. • Scope enlargement: “Land” broadens to “earth,” pointing to the worldwide reign of Messiah (Psalm 2:8; Revelation 11:15). Prophetic Horizon • Millennial Kingdom: Isaiah 11:4-9 and Revelation 20:4-6 describe global peace where the meek share Christ’s rule. • New Earth: 2 Peter 3:13 and Revelation 21:1 extend the inheritance into eternity. Practical Takeaways Today • Choose meekness—quiet strength submitted to God—over self-assertive grasping (James 3:13-17). • Trust God’s timetable; “yet a little while” reminds us that present injustice is short-lived (Hebrews 10:37). • Live as heirs already: show kingdom character now, confident the full inheritance is certain (Romans 8:17; 1 Peter 1:4). Summary Snapshot Psalm 37:10 clears away the wicked, setting the scene for verse 11’s promise. Jesus lifts that same promise in Matthew 5:5, assuring His followers that meekness leads not to loss but to ownership of God’s coming world. The land pledged to Israel foreshadows the earth Christ will renew and award to all who quietly trust and obey Him. |
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