Where Will We Reign
Psalm 37 comes to us as a divinely inspired statement from the mind and heart of King David. It is an interesting and unique composition called a double-acrostic. There are several acrostics in the Book of Psalms, but this is the only one of its type. In an acrostic, each line begins with a succeeding letter of the Hebrew alphabet, yet here every second line follows this pattern. Within this divine arrangement is a strongly worded statement, and repeated restatement, of biblical truth that is as true today as when first written.
The psalm begins with some important advice when dealing with the wickedness and immorality we see growing around us. “Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.” (Psa. 37:1-2)
Then follows David’s directives: “Trust in the LORD, and do good… Delight thyself also in the LORD…Commit thy way unto the LORD… Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him…Cease from anger, and forsake wrath…” (Psa. 37:3-8)
The key to understanding the psalm is in the next verses: “For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth. For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be. But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.” (Psa. 37:9-11) Two questions arise from David’s words: Who are the meek? And is this promise limited to Israel ruling over the land of Palestine, or of believers ruling over the entire earth? Both questions are disputed in modern theology.
Who exactly are the meek? The word “meek” is translated from the Hebrew word, ‘anav, (Strong’s #H6035) defined as “gentle, saintly, humble, poor.” Adam Clarke says, “Our word meek comes from the old Anglo-Saxon “meca,” or “meccea,” a companion or equal, because he who is of a meek or gentle spirit, is ever ready to associate with the meanest of those who fear God, feeling himself superior to none; and well knowing that he has nothing of spiritual or temporal good but what he has received from the mere bounty of God.” Dr. A. P. Stanley, in The Christian World Pulpit, vol. xx., p. 8 says, “The word “meek” hardly expresses the quality which is meant in the original. It is too passive a word; it does not sufficiently represent the actual character which is intended.”
Robertsons Word Pictures further clarifies, “The English word “meek” has largely lost the fine blend of spiritual poise and strength meant by the Master. He calls himself “meek and lowly in heart” (Matt. 11:29) and Moses is also called meek. It is the gentleness of strength, not mere effeminacy.”
Dr. Guzik’s Bible Commentary adds, “In the vocabulary of the ancient Greek language, the meek person was not passive or easily pushed around. The main idea behind the word “meek” was strength under control, like a strong stallion that was trained to do the job instead of running wild. To be meek means to show willingness to submit and work under proper authority. It also shows a willingness to disregard one’s own ‘rights’ and privileges.”
We can summarize all of this to say that to be “anav” or “meek” is to have complete control of one’s life and conduct, to be saintly in behavior, humble and obedient to the Word of God, and a faithful companion to those ardently serving our Lord and Master. In short, strength under control.
Verse 23 is well-known and often quoted: “The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.” The Calvinists like to quote this and comment on the fact that “good” is in italics in the King James Version to indicate that the word is not in the original Hebrew. The argument they make is that the text is really saying “the steps of a man, any man, every man,” are divinely predestined and that there is no free will. They are not being entirely honest with the text, however. The word, “man” is translated from the Hebrew “geber” (Strong’s #H1397) meaning “a strong man, a valiant man.” In a physical sense this could be simply interpreted as a big man with strong muscles, but in the divine sense used here it indicates again “strength under control.” What is our guideline for proper control of our lives? David replies, “The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide.” (Psa. 37:31)
Where will these saints reign? King David gives us the divine answer and repeats it for emphasis four times in this psalm. “For such as be blessed of him shall inherit the earth; and they that be cursed of him shall be cut off.” (Psa. 37:22) “Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore.” (Psa. 37:27) “The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever.” (Psa. 37:29) “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.” (Psa. 37:34) Dr. B.W. Johnson explains, “The especial reference is to the Messiah’s kingdom of which “the land” of Canaan was a type.”
Is the kingdom “land” heaven? Dispensationalists teach that the Jews inherit the whole earth while Christians are raptured away to an eternity off in the skies. The Annotated Bible on the Beatitudes states, “Israel‘s calling is earthly; theirs is an earthly kingdom, ours is altogether heavenly.” Dr. William Burkitt agrees: “Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth in this life, and heaven in the next.” This is a direct contradiction with the New Testament. Revelation settles the matter for us when it tells us concerning the body of Christ, “…they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.” (Rev. 20:4, 6). Christ will be reigning on earth with us during the Millennium, not in heaven or in outer space.
So is this “earth” and “land” limited to Palestine, or will the saints inherit the whole world? John Calvin’s Commentary says, “Christ places his own protection, and that of the Father, in contrast with the fury and violence of wicked men, and declares, on good grounds, that the meek will be the lords and heirs of the earth.”
Jonathan Edwards, in “Notes on the Scriptures” states, “Matthew 5:5 speaks of inheriting the earth, which His hearers doubtless understood of that inheritance of the earth and reigning over the world that is promised to God’s people in the days of the Messiah.”
Former President of Dallas Theological Seminary, Dr. Chuck Smith, agrees: “God’s kingdom will come to earth and those who are the children of God will inherit the earth.” The “Biblical Background Commentary” advises, “The Hebrew of the psalm could mean “inherit the land” in a narrower sense (Psa. 25:13), but in Jesus’ day Jewish people expected God’s people to reign over all the earth, as some other Old Testament passages suggest.” Indeed, in the Beatitudes, Mathew 5:5 tells us, “Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.”
In the meantime, the moral godly meek are under attack by the immoral and ungodly. The “Bible Believer’s Commentary” says, “The meek do not now inherit the earth; rather they inherit abuse and dispossession. But they will literally inherit the earth when Christ, the King, reigns for a thousand years in peace and prosperity.” David recognized our present peril saying, “The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth… The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, and to slay such as be of upright conversation… The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him.” (Psa. 37:12, 14, 32)
Fortunately that is not the end of the story. David closes his prophetic Psalm with these words: “But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off. But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble. And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him.” (Psa. 37:38-40)
