Psalm 37 (36):34Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

They may face demise before your eyes if you are not swayed by their power and wealth, nor impressed by the abundance of their honors, offspring, and companions. These aspects belong to this world, which is governed by worldly evil, with the prince of this realm favoring those who align with him, as shown by the words, "All these things I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me" (Matt. 4:9). Why seek earthly possessions, when even the adversary who offers them cannot remain among them for long? He will vanish, and all he has amassed will certainly perish. So remain steadfast, uphold righteousness, allow no one to unsettle you, and you will come to see that the adversary holds no true significance.

However, the early Jews greatly valued tangible rewards such as land, prosperity, and long lifespans; thus, the divine David motivated them towards virtue through the assurance of these earthly blessings. This is why he often revisits the themes of land inheritance and material goods. Yet, even these earthly promises can be understood more profoundly by those who are spiritually minded, drawing on the notion of transcendent and eternal rewards inherent in the boundless heritage of the righteous and the enriched existence.

Cyril further suggests that the heavenly ascent represents the culmination of the earthly struggles unique to the saints, lifting them above worldly distractions. As stated, "For the sovereigns of God are highly exalted above the earth." The Psalmist reinforces this encouragement by proclaiming, "You shall be exalted to a certain inheritance," implying an elevation that transcends the mundane, leading to the promised land for the meek. This inheritance is not merely located below our feet but exists at a divine height, necessitating God’s involvement in its possession.

In witnessing the downfall of the wicked, one can find reassurance. David's words aim to fortify the spirits of those who feel weakened by God's apparent tolerance of sinners. To such faint-hearted individuals, he asserts, “Be of good cheer, and you shall see the destruction of sinners.” The king-prophet substantiates his claims with personal testimony, as clearly illustrated thereafter.

As the Scriptures affirm, “the meek shall inherit the earth … and shall dwell in it forever” (Psalm 36:11, 29). The way we can claim this land is explained in the psalm where it says, “Trust in the Lord, and hold fast his way: and he will raise you up to inherit the land” (Psalm 36:34). It is evident that only those who, through steadfast humility and patience, adhere to the paths of the Lord and His commandments can be drawn from the muck of carnal desires by Him and elevated. Thus, “the meek shall inherit the earth,” and not only shall they take possession of it, but “they shall also enjoy the multitude of the world” (Psalms 36:11). This joy cannot be consistently experienced by anyone still embroiled in the turmoil of lust. They will undoubtedly face harsh trials from their spiritual adversaries and be tormented by the fiery darts of temptation, ultimately losing their land until the Lord puts an end to the conflicts over their territory. He will “break the bow, shall break the spear, and shall burn the chariots with fire” (Ps. 45:10), fulfilling the purpose for which the Lord came to set ablaze on the earth (Luke 12:49). The Lord will overcome the spirit of strife and the weapons wielded by his spiritual foes that assail him ceaselessly, inflicting deep wounds with the fiery arrows of the passions. Thus, when the Lord, who ceases from battles, alleviates him from the onslaught of desires, he will achieve such purity that, once the turmoil caused by his fleshly struggles is lifted, he will begin to relish it as a sanctified dwelling. “No evil shall come upon thee, and no pestilence shall come near thy dwelling” (Psalms 90:10), as he gains the strength of patience. Through humility, he will not only inherit his land but also partake in the abundance of peace (Psalms 36:11). Where conflict remains, peace cannot abound. The Psalmist emphasizes not just a simple peace but a multitude of peace. This illustrates that patience effectively heals the heart, as Solomon noted, “A meek man is a physician to the heart” (Proverbs 14:30). It alleviates not just the burdens of anger, sorrow, despair, vanity, and pride, but also of lust and all other passions. A person who continuously embodies meekness and calmness is not swayed by anger, is not consumed by grief or despair, is not lured by vanity, nor is he elevated by pride. Truly great is the peace among those who cherish the Lord’s law, for “there is no stumbling block” to them (Psalm 118:165). Hence, it is rightly said, “He who endures long is better than the brave, and he who possesses himself is better than the conqueror of a city” (Proverbs 16:32). Therefore, until we earn the right to obtain such steady and enduring peace, we must endure numerous trials. We should frequently and earnestly express our lament: “But I am poor and miserable. For my loins are full of inflammation, and there is not a whole place in my flesh … from your wrath; there is no peace in my bones from my sins” (Psalm 39:18, 37:4, 8). It will be at this point of realization that we shall truly weep; after a prolonged period of bodily purity, believing ourselves freed from fleshly defilement, we might find the desires of the flesh rising to challenge the sanctity of our hearts, leading to feelings of uncleanness. There are times when, after an extended state of purity, a person may become self-satisfied, convinced that they can maintain this integrity, claiming, “I have spoken in my prosperity: I will not be shaken forever” (Psalm 29:7). But when, for his own benefit, the Lord withdraws His support, and he realizes his purity has been compromised—on which he had relied—he recognizes his vulnerability. He immediately turns to the Source of purity, confessing, “According to Thy good pleasure, O Lord, Thou hast strengthened my mountain; but Thou hast hidden Thy face, and I am troubled” (Ps. 29:8). In the words of Job: “Though I wash myself with snowy water, and cleanse my hands completely, even then Thou wilt cast me into the mud, and my garments shall be abhorred by me” (Job 9:30-31). However, one who wallows in uncleanness due to their own actions cannot utter this to their Creator. Until one attains a state of true purity, they will continually grapple with disturbances of their desires. Only by God’s grace, strengthened in the desired purity, will they experience the fulfillment of saying, “I trusted in the Lord, and He leaned on me, and heard my cry; He brought me up out of the dreadful ditch, out of the silty mire, and set my feet upon a rock, and strengthened my feet” (Psalm 39:2-3).