Psalms 37:9
For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth.
Original Language Analysis
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 8
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
מְ֭רֵעִים
For evildoers
H7489
מְ֭רֵעִים
For evildoers
Strong's:
H7489
Word #:
2 of 8
properly, to spoil (literally, by breaking to pieces); figuratively, to make (or be) good for nothing, i.e., bad (physically, socially or morally)
יִכָּרֵת֑וּן
shall be cut off
H3772
יִכָּרֵת֑וּן
shall be cut off
Strong's:
H3772
Word #:
3 of 8
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
וְקוֵֹ֥י
but those that wait
H6960
וְקוֵֹ֥י
but those that wait
Strong's:
H6960
Word #:
4 of 8
to bind together (perhaps by twisting), i.e., collect; (figuratively) to expect
יְ֝הוָ֗ה
upon the LORD
H3068
יְ֝הוָ֗ה
upon the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
5 of 8
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
Cross References
Isaiah 60:21Thy people also shall be all righteous: they shall inherit the land for ever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified.Psalms 25:13His soul shall dwell at ease; and his seed shall inherit the earth.Isaiah 57:13When thou criest, let thy companies deliver thee; but the wind shall carry them all away; vanity shall take them: but he that putteth his trust in me shall possess the land, and shall inherit my holy mountain;Psalms 37:29The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever.Psalms 55:23But thou, O God, shalt bring them down into the pit of destruction: bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; but I will trust in thee.Revelation 5:10And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.Proverbs 2:21For the upright shall dwell in the land, and the perfect shall remain in it.Isaiah 58:14Then shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.Hebrews 11:16But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.
Historical Context
Land inheritance was Israel's covenant blessing. David extends this to cosmic scope—the righteous will ultimately possess not just Canaan but renewed creation, fulfilled in Revelation 21:1-4.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the promise of future inheritance sustain you through present disinheritance?
- What does it mean to 'wait upon the LORD' rather than seize outcomes yourself?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The contrast is stark: evildoers 'cut off' versus those waiting on the LORD 'inherit the earth.' Jesus quotes this verse in the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:5), applying inheritance to 'the meek.' The Hebrew 'karat' (cut off) was used for covenant breaking and capital punishment—total removal. Inheriting the earth/land echoes Abrahamic covenant promises, now universalized to include all who trust God. This inheritance isn't immediate but eschatological, requiring patient endurance while evildoers seem to possess the earth presently.