Trust in the LORD, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The phrase "befriend faithfulness" is a beautiful, active way of saying "live by faith." It’s not just passively believing, but actively aligning yourself with God’s truth and promises, letting that relationship shape your entire life.
Trust in the LORD, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This Psalm opens with a reflection on the seeming success of wicked people, urging the reader not to fret or be envious of them. The psalmist then pivots, offering a direct instruction to the faithful: instead of focusing on evildoers, put your trust in the Lord and actively pursue good, remaining settled in the land and committed to faithfulness.
Ever feel like the world rewards the wrong people? This verse offers a powerful antidote to envy and frustration.
The Psalm opens by telling us not to fret or be envious of those who seem to be getting away with wickedness. Why? Because their prosperity is fleeting, like grass that withers. Instead, the path to true security and sustenance is laid out in the very next breath:
Trust in the LORD
This isn't just a hopeful wish; it's a directive. It means actively placing your dependence on God's character and promises, especially when things don't make immediate sense. It's acknowledging that He is in control and His timing is perfect, even when we can't see it.
Do Good
This isn't an afterthought; it's directly linked to trust. True trust in God naturally flows into actions that please Him. It means continuing to live a life of obedience and love, regardless of what the world around you is doing. It's about cultivating a life that reflects God's goodness.
What does it mean to truly 'dwell' and be 'fed' in a world that's always changing?
The verse doesn't just tell us what to do (trust and do good), but it also assures us of the results:
Dwell in the land
Ask a follow-up
This promise speaks of security and stability. It's not just about having a place to live, but about living safely and peacefully in the place God has appointed for you. It implies a deep sense of belonging and permanence, protected by God's providence. For ancient Israel, it meant security in the Promised Land; for us, it points to secure belonging within God's kingdom, now and in eternity.
And verily thou shalt be fed
This phrase is rich with meaning. It assures us of God's provision. It means not just basic sustenance, but being nourished and sustained by God Himself. Some scholars suggest it means 'feed on faithfulness' or 'be fed in security,' highlighting that God's faithfulness is our true sustenance and security. It's a promise that as we trust and do good, God will ensure we lack nothing essential for our journey.
Understand the original words
YHWH · Hebrew Noun
The personal, covenantal name of God revealed to Israel; He who is self-existent, faithful, and the source of all life and redemption.
batach · Hebrew Verb
To rely upon, lean on, or place confidence in; it implies a total dependence on God's character and promises rather than on one's own resources.
erets · Hebrew Noun
The primary geographic place of God's covenantal blessing given to His people; symbolically represents the place of God's presence, security, and promise.
'emunah · Hebrew Noun
Steadfastness, reliability, and fidelity; it is the quality of character that mirrors God's own unchangeable nature and covenantal loyalty.
anag · Hebrew Verb
To find deep pleasure, satisfaction, or joy in someone or something; it implies setting one's desires and affection primarily upon God.
Psalm 37 speaks to times of uncertainty and the seeming prosperity of the wicked, urging a steadfast trust in God's justice and timing, particularly relevant during periods of exile or internal strife within the promised land.
c. 1000 BC— this verse
Davidic Kingdom Established
David consolidates his rule over Israel, establishing Jerusalem as the capital and ushering in a golden age. This period of relative peace and prosperity provides a backdrop for the psalmist's reflections on the nature of righteousness and wickedness.
c. 970 BC
Solomon's Reign Begins
Following David's death, Solomon inherits a stable kingdom. While Solomon's early reign is marked by wisdom and prosperity, later periods see a decline due to his many foreign wives and the introduction of foreign religious practices.
c. 931 BC
Kingdom Divides
After Solomon's death, the united kingdom splits into two: the northern Kingdom of Israel and the southern Kingdom of Judah. This division leads to increased political instability and religious compromise in both realms.
722 BC
Fall of Samaria
The Assyrian Empire conquers the northern Kingdom of Israel, deporting many of its inhabitants. This event serves as a stark warning to Judah about the consequences of unfaithfulness and injustice.
586 BC
Babylonian Exile Begins
The Neo-Babylonian Empire destroys Jerusalem and the Temple, exiling a significant portion of the Judean population. This catastrophic event profoundly impacts Israelite theology and literature, raising questions about God's faithfulness and the future of His people.
This passage echoes the principle of sowing and reaping, directly correlating good deeds with a positive outcome, mirroring Psalm 37:3's call to 'do good' and the promise of being sustained.
Matthew 6:25-34Jesus' teaching here on not worrying about physical needs and seeking God's kingdom first directly parallels the trust and sustenance promised in Psalm 37:3, assuring that God will provide for those who prioritize Him.
Hebrews 11:8-10This chapter highlights Abraham's obedience and trust in God's promises, illustrating the 'dwell in the land' aspect of Psalm 37:3, as he lived as a foreigner, trusting God's future provision and dwelling in temporary places.
Philippians 4:6-7The instruction to bring requests to God in prayer with thanksgiving, resulting in the peace of God, strongly resonates with the 'trust in the Lord' and the assured provision implied in Psalm 37:3.
1 Timothy 6:17-19This passage encourages the rich to do good and be generous, linking good works with the foundation of eternal life, which aligns with Psalm 37:3's directive to 'do good' and the assurance of being sustained.
calvinPsalms 37:1-6: "<<A Psalm of David.>> Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity."
- Fret not thyself because of the wicked, and be not envious at the workers of iniquity: 2. For they shall soon be cut down like grass; and they shall wither as the green and tender herb. 3. Put thy trust in Jehovah, and do good; dwell in the land, and be fed in truth, [or faithfully. [14] ] 4. And delight thyself in Jehovah, and he will give thee the desires o…
clarkePsalms 37:3: "Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed."
Dwell in the land - Do not flee to foreign climes to escape from that providence which, for thy own good, denies thee affluence in thy own country. And verily thou shalt be fed - God will provide for thee the necessaries of life: its conveniences might damp thy intellect in its inventions, and lead thee into idleness; and its superfluities would induce thee to pamper thy passions till t…
The phrase "befriend faithfulness" is a beautiful, active way of saying "live by faith." It’s not just passively believing, but actively aligning yourself with God’s truth and promises, letting that relationship shape your entire life.
This Psalm opens with a reflection on the seeming success of wicked people, urging the reader not to fret or be envious of them. The psalmist then pivots, offering a direct instruction to the faithful: instead of focusing on evildoers, put your trust in the Lord and actively pursue good, remaining settled in the land and committed to faithfulness.
This Psalm opens with a reflection on the seeming success of wicked people, urging the reader not to fret or be envious of them. The psalmist then pivots, offering a direct instruction to the faithful: instead of focusing on evildoers, put your trust in the Lord and actively pursue good, remaining settled in the land and committed to faithfulness.
"Trust in the LORD, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart." — The phrase "befriend faithfulness" is a beautiful, active way of saying "live by faith." It’s not just passively believing, but actively aligning yourself with God’s truth and promises, letting that…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026