Psalms 37:3
Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.
Original Language Analysis
בְּטַ֣ח
Trust
H982
בְּטַ֣ח
Trust
Strong's:
H982
Word #:
1 of 8
properly, to hie for refuge (but not so precipitately as h2620); figuratively, to trust, be confident or sure
בַּֽ֭יהוָה
in the LORD
H3068
בַּֽ֭יהוָה
in the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
2 of 8
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וַעֲשֵׂה
and do
H6213
וַעֲשֵׂה
and do
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
3 of 8
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
ט֑וֹב
good
H2896
ט֑וֹב
good
Strong's:
H2896
Word #:
4 of 8
good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good
שְׁכָן
so shalt thou dwell
H7931
שְׁכָן
so shalt thou dwell
Strong's:
H7931
Word #:
5 of 8
to reside or permanently stay (literally or figuratively)
Cross References
Psalms 62:8Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.Luke 22:35And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing.Psalms 4:5Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD.Psalms 26:1Judge me, O LORD; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the LORD; therefore I shall not slide.Deuteronomy 30:20That thou mayest love the LORD thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.Isaiah 50:10Who is among you that feareth the LORD, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? let him trust in the name of the LORD, and stay upon his God.Psalms 33:19To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.Genesis 26:2And the LORD appeared unto him, and said, Go not down into Egypt; dwell in the land which I shall tell thee of:1 Samuel 26:19Now therefore, I pray thee, let my lord the king hear the words of his servant. If the LORD have stirred thee up against me, let him accept an offering: but if they be the children of men, cursed be they before the LORD; for they have driven me out this day from abiding in the inheritance of the LORD, saying, Go, serve other gods.Isaiah 40:11He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.
Historical Context
Land possession was central to Israel's covenant identity. Being fed/shepherded recalls God's provision during wilderness wanderings and anticipates ongoing care in the promised land.
Questions for Reflection
- How does actively doing good demonstrate your trust in God's provision?
- What does it mean to be 'fed' or 'shepherded' by God in your daily life?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
After prohibitions (v.
The promises—dwelling in the land and being 'fed' (literally 'shepherded')—connect to covenant blessings (Deuteronomy 28). The word 'verily' (Hebrew 'emunah,' faithfulness) suggests certainty: God's faithfulness guarantees provision for those trusting Him. This counters the temptation to secure provision through wicked means.