What Does Psalm 37:9 Mean?
The meaning of Psalm 37:9 is that those who do evil may seem successful now, but they won't last; God will remove them. In contrast, those who patiently trust in the Lord will inherit the land and enjoy His promises, as Psalm 37:11 says, 'The meek shall inherit the land and delight themselves in abundant peace.'
Psalm 37:9
For the evildoers shall be cut off, but those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land.
Key Facts
Book
Author
David
Genre
Wisdom
Date
Approximately 1000 BC
Key People
Key Takeaways
- Don't envy evildoers; their success is temporary.
- God rewards those who patiently trust Him.
- The meek inherit the land through faithful waiting.
Context of Psalm 37:9
This verse is part of a wisdom poem that keeps repeating a comforting message: don't be upset by evil people who seem to be doing well, because their success won't last.
Psalm 37 begins with 'Fret not yourself because of evildoers' (verse 1), and then returns again and again to the idea that the wicked may look strong now, like green plants in spring, but they'll soon fade (verse 2). In contrast, those who trust God patiently - those who 'wait for the Lord' - will stay and enjoy His good promises, as verse 11 says: 'The meek shall inherit the land and delight themselves in abundant peace.'
The Poetic Promise: Cut Off vs. Inherit the Land
Psalm 37:9 uses a powerful poetic contrast - 'the evildoers shall be cut off' versus 'those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land' - to show two opposite destinies side by side.
This kind of writing, where two ideas mirror and oppose each other, is called parallelism, and it’s common in wisdom poetry. Here, 'cut off' suggests sudden removal, like a plant pulled from the soil, while 'inherit the land' brings to mind God’s ancient promise to His people - a secure, lasting home. The same phrase 'inherit the land' appears again in verse 11 and verse 29, reinforcing that this blessing isn’t about wealth or power now, but about lasting peace and God’s faithfulness over time.
The wicked may look strong today, but God’s promise belongs to those who wait.
The takeaway is simple: don’t be fooled by how things look in the moment - God’s timeline is longer, and His promises are sure.
The Patient Trust of the Righteous
This verse isn’t about behavior. It reveals a God who sees injustice and promises to set things right for those who wait on Him.
He removes the wicked not out of cruelty, but to protect His people and fulfill His promise of peace for those who trust Him. In Matthew 5:5, Jesus echoes this very promise when He says, 'Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth,' showing that this Psalm points to the heart of His kingdom - where gentle, faithful trust is rewarded by God Himself.
God removes the wicked and rewards those who wait on Him - His timing is always right.
That means we can wait patiently, not out of weakness, but because we know the One we’re waiting for is faithful.
Living Out the Promise of Inheritance
This promise - that the meek who wait on the Lord will inherit the land - is not merely future hope. It shapes how we live today, starting with how we respond when wronged or overlooked.
When someone cuts you down at work while the boss praises them, you don’t retaliate or stew in bitterness - you remember Psalm 37:11, 'The meek shall inherit the land and delight themselves in abundant peace,' and choose to trust God’s timing instead. Or when you’re tempted to gossip about a neighbor who’s flaunting their success, you pause and pray, fixing your mind on Matthew 5:5, where Jesus says, 'Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth,' reminding you that gentleness before God matters more than being seen by others.
The meek aren't weak - they're the ones quietly trusting God while the world rushes ahead.
That kind of daily trust - quiet, steady, unseen - proves you’re living as one who already belongs to the coming kingdom.
Application
How This Changes Everything: Real Life Impact
I remember sitting in my car after work, gripping the steering wheel, tears of frustration mixing with anger - again, the coworker who took credit for my project got praised in the meeting, while I was overlooked. My instinct was to fight back, to expose them, to make sure someone knew the truth. But that night, Psalm 37:9 came to mind: 'The evildoers shall be cut off, but those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land.' It didn’t erase the hurt, but it shifted something deep inside. I realized my peace wasn’t tied to being seen or vindicated today - it was tied to trusting God’s promise over time. Letting go of the need to fix it myself didn’t make me weak. It made me free. Now, when I’m tempted to retaliate or stew in bitterness, I remember: God sees, God knows, and He will act in His time.
Personal Reflection
- When have I let someone else's success - especially if it felt dishonest - shake my trust in God's justice?
- Am I truly waiting on the Lord, or am I trying to force outcomes because I don’t believe He’s working?
- Where in my life do I need to replace anxiety or anger with patient trust, knowing God upholds the righteous?
A Challenge For You
This week, when you feel the urge to retaliate or complain about someone who seems to be getting ahead through wrongdoing, pause and pray instead. Say out loud: 'Lord, I trust You. You see this. I don’t need to fight for myself.' Then do one quiet, good thing - serve someone, give generously, speak kindly - without needing to be noticed.
A Prayer of Response
God, I admit it’s hard to wait when others seem to win by doing wrong. Forgive me for the times I’ve fretted, resented, or tried to take justice into my own hands. Help me to truly wait for You, to trust that You see, You care, and You will act. Give me the quiet strength to keep doing good, knowing that You hold my future. Thank You for being my refuge and my reward.
Related Scriptures & Concepts
Immediate Context
Psalm 37:7-8
Calls for patience before the Lord and warns against anger, setting up the assurance of verse 9.
Psalm 37:10-11
Immediately follows with the fleeting nature of the wicked and the peaceful inheritance of the meek.
Connections Across Scripture
Matthew 5:5
Jesus quotes the promise of inheritance, applying it to the spiritually humble in the Kingdom.
Proverbs 2:21-22
Wisdom literature that parallels the fate of the righteous and the cutting off of the wicked.
Isaiah 60:21
Prophetic vision of God’s people inheriting the land, fulfilling the promise to the righteous.