Psalm 37 (36):3Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

What actions should we take? Place your faith in the Lord (Psalm 36:3). Others may also have hope, but their hope is not anchored in the Lord. Their expectations are fleeting and unreliable, lacking solidity and permanence. Put your trust in the Lord. You may ask, I believe; what must I do? Engage in righteous deeds. Avoid the evil that you observe in those who thrive on wickedness. Instead, commit to good works and inhabit the earth. It is essential to act righteously while living here. For the Church is the land the Lord has chosen. He, the Father, tends to her, providing nourishment and care. Many may appear to perform good deeds, yet if they are detached from this land, they do not belong to the one who cultivates it.

He refers to the Scriptures, which are divinely inspired and contain the treasures of the faithful, specifically the promises. He encourages a diligent study of these sacred writings, driven by a longing for the blessings that, as stated in Scripture, are set aside for the saints.

The prophet wisely declares, "Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land, and thou shalt feed on its riches" (Psalm 36:3). What is this land you are called to inhabit if not your own soul? It requires diligent cultivation, frequently plowed with spiritual tools, to prevent it from becoming choked with neglect's weeds. A diligent farmer tends to his field daily, safeguarding it from woodland creatures that would ravage it and from thieves who might steal the harvest (see Psalm 79:14). Cultivate your soul, so when the Sower of the Word arrives (see Matt. 13:3-9), He discovers your heart prepared, avoiding the fate of seeds wasted on unprepared ground, vulnerable to the birds of the air.

The prophet conveyed the advantages of placing faith in the Lord. He declared that those who trust in God and are guided by Him will partake in the blessings He bestows. However, those who take joy in an ongoing relationship with God will experience these blessings in abundance.

Place your trust in the Lord and engage in righteous deeds. Have faith, says the individual; for the Lord regards your virtuous efforts with favor; thus, pursue righteousness, as Origen indicates that good works are manifestations of virtue. And dwell upon the earth By performing acts of virtue, you, O Christian, shall reside on the earth unafraid, with God Himself as your protector. And you shall be enriched with its blessings If, he asserts, you are one who does good, you shall be blessed by God with earthly treasures, enabling you to acquire all that is beneficial while avoiding all that is detrimental.

Believer! There is no Leader as perfect, as steadfast, and as powerful as ours, providing a pathway to peace rooted in truth, righteousness, and joy. It is He who reveals most profoundly that even though the journey of righteousness may lead through the shadow of death, it ultimately culminates in resurrection to life and ascension to glory. Thus, you are empowered and encouraged to diligently adhere to the teachings that were imparted even prior to the advent of Christianity: “Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass. He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday” (Psalm 37:3-6). Amen.

In the initial part, the Prophet urged us to avoid wrongdoing and resist envying the prosperity of the unrighteous. In this following section, he encourages us towards righteousness, implying that if you wish to be blessed and successful, recognize the true source of all blessings, and place your expectation and hope in Him rather than in others. He instructs us to place our trust in the Lord, for as the Sovereign and giver of all that is good, He alone can bestow upon us His blessings. To ensure that your faith remains steadfast and that you are not left in disgrace, engage in good deeds and cultivate virtue in accordance with God's commandments. For who can confidently rely on someone known to be an adversary?

This is an encouragement to believers to place their hope for salvation in the Lord and to perform righteous deeds, for faith devoid of action is lifeless (James 2:17). Through commendable virtues, a person secures for themselves the inheritance of the living, which is the abundance of the Kingdom of Heaven.