Psalm 37 (36):29Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Let not greed take hold of you, nor should you be lured by promises of great wealth; do not hope to discover in this realm what you are instructed to reject in this life. The land referred to in the text signifies a certain promised land of the living, the domain of the Saints. Hence, it is declared, "Thou art my hope, my portion in the land of the living." Therefore, if your existence aligns with what is stated, reflect on the inheritance that awaits you. It is indeed the land of the living; the land of those who will experience death only to be reclaimed, when they pass, by that which sustained them in life. Consequently, as that land is, so shall life itself be: if life is eternal, then the land will also be eternally yours. How will this land be yours for eternity? It is affirmed that they shall dwell there forever. Thus, it must be a different land where they will reside eternally. For concerning this earth, it has been said, "Heaven and earth shall pass away."

The just shall possess the land, and He frequently notes that the humble shall receive the earth, encouraging them to desire it.

The prophet illustrates through these passages that we are the Lord's own, and He observes our innermost thoughts and actions. The Lord evaluates each person's deeds and renders fair judgment, discerning between acts of righteousness and those of wickedness. Therefore, we should reject evil and embrace goodness. To avoid the mingling of virtue with vice, first, refrain from sin, then cultivate the fruit of purity, enabling you to attain eternal life. Do not fall into the illusion that God overlooks your transgressions; many are misled in this regard. He is aware of all and administers justice; He eradicates the root of the unrighteous—not in the literal sense of humanity, but the inner disposition and legacy of immorality.

In His commitment to just and truthful judgment, the Sovereign of all will establish rewards based on individual efforts. He will tend to those who cherish righteousness, while those who select the contrary path will be cast away. Consequently, having demonstrated the outcomes of both choices, the Prophet instructs how to thrive in godly righteousness.

In the ninth verse of this psalm (Psalms 36:9), it is mentioned that those who endure for the sake of the Lord will inherit the earth; similarly, in verse 18 (Psalms 36:18), it is declared that their inheritance shall be eternal. The Psalmist reiterates this message to ensure that this important truth is deeply engraved in the hearts of his audience through repetition.

The righteous shall inherit the earth (Psalm 36:29) - undeniably not those driven by earthly desires. How can those who are spiritual lay claim to a material realm? Instead, they shall inherit a spiritual and intangible existence, providing a dwelling suitable for their glory, transcending the earthly body, and surpassing all sensory experiences. Thus, the entirety of creation, once renewed and spiritualized, will transform into a sanctuary for the incorporeal, imperishable, unchanging, and eternal. The heavens will radiate with incomparable brilliance and light, becoming entirely transformed; the earth will be adorned with breathtaking beauty, covered in everlasting blooms that are vibrant and celestial.

The just will receive the earth as their inheritance and will reside in it eternally. The Scriptures refer to those who strive tirelessly to accomplish the genuine and singular will of God, rather than pursuing their own fabricated notions of righteousness. It is only those who actualize God's righteousness who are granted the inheritance of the earth, that is, who triumph through their heart, their body, and their very essence.

Samech. Reject evil and pursue goodness, and inhabit the eternal realm. For the Lord delights in justice and will not abandon His faithful ones; they will endure forever. He observed that from youth to old age, he witnessed no righteous individual left destitute. Thus, he concludes with a moral exhortation: turn away from evil and pursue good, which encapsulates the two primary commandments of the law, and endeavor to be righteous, ensuring a fruitful existence in this life. He then explains why the righteous shall endure eternally. The Lord delights in justice, meaning He is inherently righteous and judges justly; therefore, He will not abandon the faithful, His righteous servants. Hence, He affirms that they will abide forever.

Those who have faith in the return of Christ the Savior and fulfill His teachings will come to possess the paradise of their eternal dwelling, the new earth. Following the universal resurrection, all of creation will be transformed and revitalized by God's command, becoming spiritual. The spiritual will inherit a realm that is immaterial, incorruptible, and everlasting. The heavens will radiate with an unparalleled brilliance and the earth will display a new, indescribable beauty, adorned with an array of everlasting flowers, vibrant and spiritual; the sun will shine seven times brighter than it currently does. The entire world will be exalted and divine, harmonizing with the intellectual realm (angelic) and becoming the New Jerusalem. No human has yet possessed this earth; we are all pilgrims and foreigners upon it (Hebrews 11:13). When the earthly and the heavenly are united, the righteous will inherit this renewed earth (Simeon the New Theologian).