Psalms 37:5

Old Testament Poetry/Hymns ASV (1901)

What does Psalms 37:5 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Commit thy way unto Jehovah; Trust also in him, and he will bring it to pass.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Commit thy way unto Jehovah; Trust also in him, and he will bring it to pass.
Psalms 37:5 — American Standard Version

Context — Psalms 37

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
5Commit thy way unto Jehovah; Trust also in him, and he will bring it to pass.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“A father of the fatherless, etc.] In a literal sense, so as to show mercy to them, take care of then}, and protect them; and this is a character which the great God often assumes, partly to express his power and providence over such, and partly to signify his tenderness, mercy, and goodness to them; and in which he should be imitated by civil magistrates, and by all good men: for it was not only a law in Israel to show regard to such, and take care not to afflict them, but it is also a branch of pure undefiled Christian religion, (<590127>James 1:27), in attending to which we resemble the great Author of it, who is here intended. Moreover, this may be understood in a spiritual sense of such…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Commit thy way-- (Pro 16:3). Works--what you have to do and cannot set forth as a burden. trust . . . in him--literally, "on Him." He will do what you cannot (compare Psa 22:8; Psa 31:6). He will not suffer your character to remain under suspicion.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Commit thy way unto the - Lord. Margin, as in Hebrew, “Roll thy way upon, the Lord.” Compare the notes at Psalms 22:8, where the marg., as the Hebrew, is, “He rolled himself on the Lord.” See also 1 Peter 5:7. The idea is that of rolling a heavy burden from ourselves on another, or laying it upon him, so that he may bear it. The burden which we have not got strength to bear we may lay on God. The term “way” means properly the act of treading or going; then, a way or path; then, a course of life, or the manner in which one lives; and the reference here is to the whole course of life, or all that can affect life; all our plans or conduct; all the issues or results of those plans. It is…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Commit - All thy cares and business, and necessities, commend to God by fervent prayer. Psalms 37:6”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Commit: Heb. Roll thy way upon, Psa 22:8, Psa 55:22; Pro 16:3 \*marg. Mat 6:25; Luk 12:22, Luk 12:29, Luk 12:30; Phi 4:6, Phi 4:7; Pe1 5:7 and: Job 22:28; Ecc 9:1; Lam 3:37; Jam 4:15 Psalms 37:6”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“The lxx erroneously renders גּול (= גּל, Psa 22:9) by ἀποκάλυψον instead of ἐπίῤῥιψον, Pe1 5:7 : roll the burden of cares of thy life's way upon Jahve, leave the guidance of thy life entirely to Him, and to Him alone, without doing anything in it thyself: He will gloriously accomplish (all that concerns thee): עשׂה, as in Ps 22:32; 52:11; cf. Pro 16:3, and Paul Gerhardt's Befiehl du deine Wege, "Commit thou all thy ways," etc. The perfect in Psa 37:6 is a continuation of the promissory יעשׂה. הוציא, as in Jer 51:10, signifies to set forth: He will bring to light thy misjudged righteousness like the light (the sun, Job 31:26; Job 37:21, and more especially the morning sun, Pro 4:18),…”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification