A familiar Bible saying, checked in context
The meek shall inherit the earth
Word for word
These exact KJV words appear in Psalm 37:11 and are echoed in Jesus' blessing in Matthew 5.
By @The..Mustard..Seed · Updated
Read the relevant KJV passage
Psalms 37:11But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.
Matthew 5:5Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
Compare the evidence
The earlier part of Psalm 37 contrasts evildoers with those who wait upon the LORD, preparing for verse 11’s inheritance.
Psalms 37:9For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth.
Later in the same psalm, the righteous are again said to inherit the land. This repeats the promise without repeating either lead verse.
Psalms 37:29The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever.
What the context adds
Psalm 37:11 and Matthew 5:5 both give the promise in KJV wording. Jesus’ blessing echoes a line already present in the psalm, making the promise worth tracing across books. Psalm 37 speaks amid anger at evildoers and repeats counsel not to fret; Matthew 5 places the line among blessings for the poor in spirit, the mourners, and those who hunger for righteousness. The shared sentence has two literary settings. A reader can honor both without making a quick claim that meekness is a technique for gaining property or winning an argument.
A question to carry forward
How does hearing Psalm 37 first change the way you hear the beatitude in Matthew 5?
Keep reading
Read Psalm 37:1–11 and Matthew 5:1–6, noticing each passage's audience and hope.
Share this finding
Use the vertical card to point viewers back to the full passage and context on this page.
Download TikTok-size card →See an error or have a source to add? Send a correction. Read our editorial standards and source and study method.