Those the Lord blesses will inherit the land
Psalms 37:21-22 - If history and scripture provide just one lesson that should be remembered, it is to repent and align your life with God’s purposes.
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“The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous give generously; those the Lord blesses will inherit the land, but those he curses will be destroyed.”
Psalms 37:21-22 NIV
Today’s verses from Psalms are attributed to David. From verse 25 of this psalm, we know that David is now an older man and is dispensing wisdom in the form of a song. These wisdom psalms are directed to man (not God) and provide advice for righteous living in much the same manner of the Book of Proverbs.
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Much of Psalm 37 contrasts the righteous with the wicked, the blessed with the cursed. That’s the theme for both of today’s verses. We begin in verse 21 with David demonstrating an example of the difference in how the wicked and righteous conduct themselves. The wicked take from others, borrowing without repaying. The righteous give freely of themselves, showing mercy on others who have little.
In Biblical times (as is the case today as well) borrowing and lending were commonly practiced. There were no credit ratings for a lender to use to judge the risk of a borrower, but there were laws found in the Torah. For example, Exodus 22:25-27 suggests not charging interest on loans to the needy, as well as being compassionate about items taken as collateral for those loans. Deuteronomy 15:7-11 emphasizes compassion in both giving and lending, noting that “there will always be poor people in the land. There for I command you to be openhanded toward your fellow Israelites who are poor and needy in your land”.
Then, as it is now, nonpayment of a debt wasn’t just a financial issue; it was also a breakdown in trust and integrity. It was considered a moral obligation to repay debts, something that our broken society seems to have forgotten. Failing to repay debts is an indicator of spiritual and moral deficiencies, with the wicked disregarding the important principles of justice and righteousness that are the core of God’s law.
The verse begins by telling us what the wicked do, then contrasts that with how the righteous act — they are generous, always willing to give to those who are less fortunate. Throughout the Bible we see this principle of stewardship (making the most of what you have) and hear the call to care for others. Proverbs 11:25 shows the benefit of generosity: “A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.”
This generosity, this act of righteousness, is in accordance with God’s nature. There are many places in Scripture where He is described as being both compassionate and gracious. Being generous doesn’t just mean giving money; it encompasses everything in life, consciously trying to emulate the love and selflessness of Jesus Christ.
Moving on to verse 22, David states that “those the Lord blesses will inherit the land“. This goes back to the promise God made to Abraham and his descendants in the Old Testament (Genesis 12:7). Inheritance of the land was seen as a sign of God’s blessing on the people, where the Promised Land was the expression of His favor on the Israelites. In New Testament times, believers can expect that inheritance in the Kingdom of God through Christ.
On the flip side is the destruction of those God curses; in other words, being under God’s judgment as a result of disobedience or rebellion against His will. In Old Testament history this was demonstrated by the destruction of individuals and nations who opposed God’s chosen people. For those under the new covenant, this is a lesson pointing to the final judgment: Rejecting God results in eternal separation from Him.
If history and scripture provide just one lesson that should be remembered, it is to repent and align your life with God’s purposes.
Heaven On Wheels Daily Prayer:
Father in Heaven, as I ponder these Psalms today, I ask for your guidance in becoming more merciful and generous, and to reflect Your love in all of my actions. Turn me from the ways of the wicked, who take from others without intending to repay. Let me be a blessing to others, sharing what I have with those who are truly in need. I trust in the promises You have made in Scripture, and know that those who are blessed by You will receive a rich inheritance. Help me to live each day in a way that honors You. AMEN.