Psalms 37:34
Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.
Original Language Analysis
קַוֵּ֤ה
Wait
H6960
קַוֵּ֤ה
Wait
Strong's:
H6960
Word #:
1 of 11
to bind together (perhaps by twisting), i.e., collect; (figuratively) to expect
יְהוָ֨ה׀
on the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֨ה׀
on the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
3 of 11
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וּשְׁמֹ֬ר
and keep
H8104
וּשְׁמֹ֬ר
and keep
Strong's:
H8104
Word #:
4 of 11
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
דַּרְכּ֗וֹ
his way
H1870
דַּרְכּ֗וֹ
his way
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
5 of 11
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
וִֽ֭ירוֹמִמְךָ
and he shall exalt
H7311
וִֽ֭ירוֹמִמְךָ
and he shall exalt
Strong's:
H7311
Word #:
6 of 11
to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively)
לָרֶ֣שֶׁת
thee to inherit
H3423
לָרֶ֣שֶׁת
thee to inherit
Strong's:
H3423
Word #:
7 of 11
to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by implication, to seize, to rob, to inherit; also to expel, to impoverish
בְּהִכָּרֵ֖ת
are cut off
H3772
בְּהִכָּרֵ֖ת
are cut off
Strong's:
H3772
Word #:
9 of 11
to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt
Cross References
Psalms 27:14Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.Proverbs 20:22Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee.Psalms 37:9For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth.Matthew 24:13But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.Psalms 37:7Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.Psalms 37:3Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.1 Peter 5:6Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:Psalms 91:8Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.Job 17:9The righteous also shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger.Proverbs 16:17The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul.
Historical Context
Israelites in exile needed this promise desperately. Post-exilic Jews rebuilding Jerusalem faced ongoing opposition from Samaritans and Persian bureaucracy. The persecuted church learned to "wait" for Christ's return while "keeping" his commands in hostile environments.
Questions for Reflection
- What does "waiting on the LORD" look like practically in your current circumstances and trials?
- How do you maintain active obedience while patiently trusting God's timing for vindication?
- How does the promise of future inheritance shape your present values and priorities?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Wait on the LORD (קַוֵּה אֶל־יְהוָה, kavveh el-YHWH)—Kavah means wait with expectant hope, confident trust. And keep his way (וּשְׁמֹר דַּרְכּוֹ, u-shemor darko)—Shamar (guard, observe) combines patient waiting with active obedience. He shall exalt thee to inherit the land (וִירוֹמִמְךָ לָרֶשֶׁת אָרֶץ, vi-romimkha lareshet aretz)—Elevation and inheritance reward faithful endurance.
This pairs passive waiting with active keeping—the dual posture of faith. The promise echoes the Abrahamic covenant (Genesis 15:18) and Jesus's Beatitude: "the meek shall inherit the earth" (Matthew 5:5). For Christians, inheritance is both present (Ephesians 1:11) and future (1 Peter 1:4). When the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it—vindication confirms waiting wasn't in vain.