Bible Verse

Psalm 37:4

David writes wisdom about trusting God when the wicked seem to prosper while the righteous suffer, encouraging faith in God's ultimate justice.

"Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart."

— Psalm 37:4 (NIV)

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Other Translations

"Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart."

— ESV

"Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart."

— KJV

"Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you your heart's desires."

— NLT

Understanding the Context

Book Context

Psalm 37 is an acrostic wisdom psalm contrasting the fate of the wicked with the blessed state of those who trust in the Lord. This verse appears in the section about trusting God.

Historical Background

Written by David in his later years, reflecting on a lifetime of seeing God's faithfulness. He encourages the next generation not to envy evildoers but to delight in God.

Verse-by-Verse Breakdown

"Take delight in the LORD"

'Delight' (Hebrew: anag) means to be soft, pliable, take exquisite pleasure in. This is more than duty—it's joy, enjoyment, finding pleasure in God Himself. Not delighting in what God gives but in WHO God is.

"and he will give you"

'Will give' is a promise, not manipulative formula. God responds to hearts that genuinely delight in Him. This is relational—God blesses those whose greatest joy is in Him.

"the desires of your heart"

'Desires' can mean two things: (1) God grants what you desire, or (2) God shapes your desires. When we delight in God, our desires align with His will. He both changes our wants and gives us what we truly need.

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This isn't a blank check for selfish wishes. When God becomes our delight, He transforms our desires to match His purposes, then fulfills those God-given desires.

Key Themes

Delighting in GodDesires aligned with GodGod's provisionHeart transformationJoy in the Lord

Applying This Verse to Your Life

  1. 1

    Cultivate genuine delight in God through worship, Scripture, and experiencing His presence.

  2. 2

    Examine your desires—are they God-centered or self-centered?

  3. 3

    Trust that as you delight in God, He'll align your desires with His will and fulfill them.

  4. 4

    Stop pursuing things as ultimate sources of joy; find joy in God Himself.

  5. 5

    Let God transform your wants rather than demanding He fulfill your current wishes.

Questions for Reflection

  • Do you genuinely delight in the Lord, or just in what He can give you?
  • What are the deepest desires of your heart, and are they aligned with God's will?
  • How can you cultivate more delight in God Himself rather than His gifts?
  • Have you seen God change your desires as you've drawn closer to Him?

Related Scripture

Philippians 4:4

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!"

Psalm 16:11

"You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand."

Matthew 6:33

"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."

Romans 12:2

"Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."

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