Psalms 37:4
Psalms 37:4 in Multiple Translations
Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart.
Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
Delight thyself also in Jehovah; And he will give thee the desires of thy heart.
So will your delight be in the Lord, and he will give you your heart's desires.
Find your happiness in the Lord, and he will give you what you want the most.
And delite thy selfe in the Lord, and hee shall giue thee thine hearts desire.
And delight thyself on Jehovah, And He giveth to thee the petitions of thy heart.
Also delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he will give thee the desires of thy heart.
There is no health in my flesh, because of thy wrath: there is no peace for my bones, because of my sins.
Be delighted with all that Yahweh does for you; if you do that, he will give you the things that you desire most.
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 37:4
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Psalms 37:4 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ/הִתְעַנַּ֥ג
עַל
יְהוָ֑ה
וְ/יִֽתֶּן
לְ֝/ךָ֗
מִשְׁאֲלֹ֥ת
לִבֶּֽ/ךָ
וְ/הִתְעַנַּ֥ג
ʻânag
H6026
to delight
Conj | V-Hithpael-Impv-2ms
עַל
ʻal
H5921
upon
Prep
יְהוָ֑ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
The Lord
N-proper
וְ/יִֽתֶּן
nâthan
H5414
to give
Conj | V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
לְ֝/ךָ֗
Prep | Suff
מִשְׁאֲלֹ֥ת
mishʼâlâh
H4862
petition
N-fp
לִבֶּֽ/ךָ
lêb
H3820
heart
N-ms | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 37:4
וְ/הִתְעַנַּ֥ג
ʻânag
H6026
"to delight"
Conj | V-Hithpael-Impv-2ms
Anag means to delight or be soft, and can also imply being effeminate or luxurious. It is used to describe being happy or taking delight in something, as seen in various Bible translations.
Definition: 1) to be soft, be delicate, be dainty 1a) (Pual) to be delicate 1b) (Hithpael) 1b1) to be of dainty habit, be pampered 1b2) to be happy about, take exquisite delight 1b3) to make merry over, make sport of
Usage: Occurs in 10 OT verses. KJV: delicate(-ness), (have) delight (self), sport self. See also: Deuteronomy 28:56; Isaiah 55:2; Psalms 37:4.
עַל
ʻal
H5921
"upon"
Prep
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
יְהוָ֑ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
"The Lord"
N-proper
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.
וְ/יִֽתֶּן
nâthan
H5414
"to give"
Conj | V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
This word means to give, put, or set something, with a wide range of applications. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, describing God's actions and human interactions. The word is used to convey giving, selling, or exchanging something.
Definition: : give/deliver/send/produce 1) to give, put, set 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to give, bestow, grant, permit, ascribe, employ, devote, consecrate, dedicate, pay wages, sell, exchange, lend, commit, entrust, give over, deliver up, yield produce, occasion, produce, requite to, report, mention, utter, stretch out, extend 1a2) to put, set, put on, put upon, set, appoint, assign, designate 1a3) to make, constitute 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be given, be bestowed, be provided, be entrusted to, be granted to, be permitted, be issued, be published, be uttered, be assigned 1b2) to be set, be put, be made, be inflicted 1c) (Hophal) 1c1) to be given, be bestowed, be given up, be delivered up 1c2) to be put upon
Usage: Occurs in 1816 OT verses. KJV: add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield. See also: Genesis 1:17; Genesis 40:21; Exodus 30:12.
לְ֝/ךָ֗
""
Prep | Suff
מִשְׁאֲלֹ֥ת
mishʼâlâh
H4862
"petition"
N-fp
This Hebrew word means a request or petition, like a prayer to God. It is used in various Bible verses to describe a heartfelt desire or plea. In the KJV, it is translated as desire or petition.
Definition: request, petition, desire
Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: desire, petition. See also: Psalms 20:6; Psalms 37:4.
לִבֶּֽ/ךָ
lêb
H3820
"heart"
N-ms | Suff
Leb refers to the heart, but also represents feelings, will, and intellect in the Bible. It is used figuratively to describe the center of something, and is often translated as heart or mind. Leb is a complex concept that encompasses emotions and thoughts.
Definition: 1) inner man, mind, will, heart, understanding 1a) inner part, midst 1a1) midst (of things) 1a2) heart (of man) 1a3) soul, heart (of man) 1a4) mind, knowledge, thinking, reflection, memory 1a5) inclination, resolution, determination (of will) 1a6) conscience 1a7) heart (of moral character) 1a8) as seat of appetites 1a9) as seat of emotions and passions 1a10) as seat of courage
Usage: Occurs in 552 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] care for, comfortably, consent, [idiom] considered, courag(-eous), friend(-ly), ((broken-), (hard-), (merry-), (stiff-), (stout-), double) heart(-ed), [idiom] heed, [idiom] I, kindly, midst, mind(-ed), [idiom] regard(-ed), [idiom] themselves, [idiom] unawares, understanding, [idiom] well, willingly, wisdom. See also: Genesis 6:5; 2 Samuel 13:33; Psalms 4:8.
Study Notes — Psalms 37:4
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 37:4 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 37:4
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 37:4
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 37:4
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 37:4
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 37:4
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 37:4
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 37:4
- Sermons on Psalms 37:4
Context — Delight Yourself in the LORD
2For they wither quickly like grass and wilt like tender plants.
3Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness.
4Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart.
5Commit your way to the LORD; trust in Him, and He will do it. 6He will bring forth your righteousness like the dawn, your justice like the noonday sun.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | John 15:7 | If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. |
| 2 | Psalms 145:19 | He fulfills the desires of those who fear Him; He hears their cry and saves them. |
| 3 | John 15:16 | You did not choose Me, but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will remain—so that whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you. |
| 4 | Isaiah 58:14 | then you will delight yourself in the LORD, and I will make you ride on the heights of the land and feed you with the heritage of your father Jacob.” For the mouth of the LORD has spoken. |
| 5 | 1 John 5:14–15 | And this is the confidence that we have before Him: If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we already possess what we have asked of Him. |
| 6 | Psalms 21:1–2 | O LORD, the king rejoices in Your strength. How greatly he exults in Your salvation! You have granted his heart’s desire and have not withheld the request of his lips. Selah |
| 7 | Job 22:26 | Surely then you will delight in the Almighty and lift up your face to God. |
| 8 | 1 Peter 1:8 | Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and rejoice with an inexpressible and glorious joy, |
| 9 | Psalms 104:34 | May my meditation be pleasing to Him, for I rejoice in the LORD. |
| 10 | Job 27:10 | Will he delight in the Almighty? Will he call upon God at all times? |
Psalms 37:4 Summary
[This verse means that when we take great joy and pleasure in knowing and loving God, He will give us the things we deeply desire. This doesn't mean we'll get everything we want, but rather that our desires will become more like God's desires for us, as we learn to love and trust Him more. As we delight in the LORD, we can trust that He will give us good things, as promised in Matthew 7:11 and Luke 11:13.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to delight myself in the LORD?
To delight in the LORD means to take great pleasure and joy in knowing and loving Him, which is a result of a personal relationship with Him, as seen in Psalms 16:11 and Jeremiah 9:24.
Will God give me everything I want if I delight in Him?
While Psalms 37:4 promises that God will give us the desires of our heart, this is contingent upon our heart's desires being aligned with His will, as expressed in Proverbs 19:21 and 1 John 5:14-15.
How can I be sure that my desires are from God?
As we spend time in prayer, studying the Bible, and seeking God's will, our desires will become more aligned with His, as promised in Romans 12:2 and Philippians 2:13.
Is this verse a guarantee of getting what I want?
No, this verse is not a guarantee of getting what we want, but rather a promise that as we delight in the LORD, He will give us desires that align with His will, and then fulfill those desires, as seen in Psalms 20:4 and Isaiah 58:14.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways I can delight in the LORD today, and how can I make this a consistent part of my daily life?
- What are the desires of my heart, and are they aligned with God's will for my life?
- How can I trust that God will give me the desires of my heart, even when I don't see it happening right now?
- What role does faith and trust play in experiencing the fulfillment of Psalms 37:4 in my life?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 37:4
Delight thyself also in the Lord,.... In the persons in God, Father, Son, and Spirit; in the perfections of God, his power, goodness, faithfulness, wisdom, love, grace, and mercy; in his works of
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 37:4
Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Delight thyself also in the Lord - a promise in the very terms of the precept.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 37:4
Delight thyself in the Lord; in his favour and service, and in the study of his word and promises. The desires of thine heart, i.e. thy just desires, or whatsoever is truly desirable and good for thee; which limitation is necessarily to be understood, both from divers places of Scripture, and from the nature of the things; for it is unreasonable to imagine that God would engage himself to grant their sinful and inordinate desires, and it would also be a curse to them to have them granted.
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 37:4
Psalms 37:4 Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.Ver. 4. Delight thyself also in the Lord] While others delight in riches and pleasures; as if there were no other happiness but to have and to hold, no sport unless men may have the devil their playfellow. The like counsel hereunto giveth St Paul to his son Timothy, 1 Timothy 6:12; while others lay hold as with tooth and nail on riches, &c., lay thou hold on eternal life; make God thy portion, and thou art made for ever. And he shall give thee the desires of thy heart] It shall be unto thee even as thou wilt. It is said of Luther, that he could have what he would of Almighty God. What may not a favourite, who hath the royalty of his prince’ s ear, obtain of him? It is said of Sejanus, that in all his designs he found in Tiberius, the emperor, so great facility and affection to his desires, that he needed only to ask and give thanks.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 37:4
Verse 4. Delight thyself also in the Lord] Expect all thy happiness from him, and seek it in him. The desires of thine heart.] משאלות mishaloth, the petitions. The godly man never indulges a desire which he cannot form into a prayer to God.
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 37:4
1–11. Warnings and counsels for times of temptation.
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 37:4
Delight thyself also in the - Lord. The word rendered “delight” means properly to live delicately and effeminately; then, to be tender or delicate; then, to live a life of ease or pleasure; then, to
Sermons on Psalms 37:4
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Whats Wrong With the Gospel - Part 1 by Keith Green | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of understanding and embracing the journey of faith. They encourage listeners to seek solutions and growth in their spiritual |
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When God Stepped Down - Part 1 (Cd Quality) by Duncan Campbell | In this sermon, the preacher recounts a powerful revival that took place in a parish during the Lewis revival. The revival was sparked by a young man who read a portion of Psalm 24 |
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Christian Freedom: Grow Up and Be Free by Warren Wiersbe | In this sermon on Galatians 4:1-18, the speaker emphasizes the importance of spiritual maturity in experiencing freedom in Christ. He distinguishes between age and maturity, statin |
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Grow Up and Be Free by Warren Wiersbe | In this sermon, the speaker focuses on the theme of freedom and maturity in the context of the book of Galatians. The main message is that growing up spiritually leads to freedom i |
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Death of a Promise - Part 1 by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the principle of the death of a promise. He explains that when God intends to fulfill a promise or bring about a special blessing, He first p |
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Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire-I Interview: Jim Cymbala by Jim Cymbala | In this video, Harold Harper introduces an interview with Pastor Jim Symbola of the Brooklyn Tabernacle. The pastor's church has grown from a small congregation to a thriving commu |
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Be My Witnesses (Compilation) by Compilations | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of making a difference in the world and not living a self-consumed life. They urge listeners to not let the sun go down withou |