Psalms 37:22 Meaning: Blessed to Inherit, Cursed to Be Cut Off
For such as are blessed by him shall inherit the land. Those who are cursed by him shall be cut off.
For such as be blessed of him shall inherit the earth; and they that be cursed of him shall be cut off.
For such as are blessed of him shall inherit the land; And they that are cursed of him shall be cut off.
For His blessed ones do possess the land, And His reviled ones are cut off.
for those blessed of him shall possess the land, and they that are cursed of him shall be cut off.
Meaning in one sentence
Psalm 37:22 contrasts the blessed (who inherit the land) with the cursed (who are cut off). What does this mean for believers today?
Context
Psalm 37 is a wisdom poem from David's old age. He has seen both the righteous and the wicked, and he writes to steady those who are troubled when evil people seem to get ahead. The whole psalm urges patience and trust in God's ultimate justice. Verse 22 sits near the center of this message, stating the outcome in clear terms: those whom God blesses receive the land as their inheritance, while those under God's curse are removed. The land here is more than real estate, it is the place of God's presence, the promised inheritance first given to Abraham, and a picture of the full life God prepares for his people. David is not promising instant riches. He is pointing to a sure future that rests on God's favor rather than on human luck or effort.
Key Words
Two Hebrew words carry the weight of this verse. The word for 'blessed' (barakh) comes from a root that means 'to kneel.' When God blesses, he stoops down to bestow favor and life. The word for 'inherit' (yarash) is not about earning a prize. It means taking possession of what has been promised, like a child receiving a family gift. On the other side, the word for 'cursed' (qalal) literally means 'to be light' or 'insignificant.' It is the opposite of being honored and weighted with blessing. And 'cut off' (karat) is a strong word meaning to be severed or removed from the land and the community of God's people. These are covenant words, rooted in promises God made to Israel. They remind us that our ultimate standing comes from how we relate to the God who blesses and who calls us to honor him.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians across traditions have read this verse as a reassurance of God's ultimate justice. Some see the land as the Promised Land of Canaan, a tangible sign of God's covenant. Others understand it as the land of the living, this life, where those who trust God have a stable home. Still others see it pointing ahead to the new heaven and new earth, where the meek inherit everything. All agree that the distinction between blessing and curse is not arbitrary. It hinges on whether a person lives in faith and obedience toward God or turns away from him.
A common misunderstanding
A common mistake is to read this verse as a promise that good people will always get rich and healthy while bad people will suffer in this life. In fact, the verse is not about immediate material rewards. It is about the ultimate outcome of living under God's blessing versus living under his judgment. The land here is the covenantal inheritance, ultimately, the kingdom of God. The righteous may face hardship now, but they will not lose their place in God's family.
Living This Out
This verse asks you to look past what you can see with your eyes. When the dishonest person gets promoted, when the bully seems to thrive, you wonder if blessing and curse have any meaning. But God's blessing is not on display in a bank account or a comfortable life. It is the quiet gift of knowing you belong to him. This week, try an experiment: instead of envying what others have, thank God for the inheritance he has given you, the forgiveness, the place in his family, the hope of a future with him. Let that settled trust shape how you act, even when life feels unfair.
Main takeaway: Those who live under God's blessing receive an eternal inheritance; those who reject his blessing lose that inheritance.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
God loves to bless his children. When we follow him, he gives us good things and a home with him forever. Being cut off means you are not part of God's family anymore. People who turn away from God miss out on that home.
For ages 9, 12
This verse talks about two different futures. Some people are blessed by God, they will receive the land as an inheritance. Others are cursed by God, they will be cut off. The land is more than dirt; it is the place where God's people live safely with him, like a home or a kingdom. It is not about being perfect. It is about whose side you are on. If you trust God and try to follow him, you are under his blessing. If you reject him and live only for yourself, you are on the other path. God wants everyone to be blessed, and he invites you to choose that path by trusting in Jesus.
Questions People Ask
What does 'inherit the land' mean in Psalm 37:22?
In the Old Testament, 'the land' often refers to Canaan, the Promised Land. In the context of Psalm 37, it also points beyond physical territory to a life of safety, peace, and God's presence. The New Testament expands this to include the new heaven and new earth, the ultimate inheritance for God's people.
Does this verse mean that God blesses some people arbitrarily and curses others?
No. The Bible presents God's blessing and curse as responses to human choices. Those who trust and obey God receive his blessing; those who reject him bring curse upon themselves by cutting themselves off from the source of life. God's character is just and loving.
How does 'cut off' apply to believers today?
In the old covenant, being cut off meant exile from God's people and from the land. For Christians, it points to final separation from God if one persists in unbelief. The gospel offers forgiveness in Christ, reversing the curse for all who repent.
Is this verse promising material prosperity to the righteous?
Not directly. While the Old Testament often connects obedience with material blessing in the land, the psalmist is more concerned with the ultimate stability of the righteous, they will not be abandoned. The inheritance is primarily spiritual and eternal, though it can include provision in this life.
How does 'inherit the land' connect to Jesus?
Jesus, the Son of God, is the one who perfectly received the Father's blessing. Through faith in him, believers are included in that blessing and become heirs of the promise. The meek, who trust God rather than fight for themselves, inherit the earth (Matthew 5:5).
For pastors & researchers
Hebrew interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study