Psalm 37:5 Meaning - Commit Your Way to the Lord

by Mr. Whitney V. Myers

Download a printable PDF of this post.

Majestic Sunset in the Carpathian Mountains (Ukraine) - Psalm 37:5 - 123RF Photo - Used under license

"Commit your way to the Lord,
Trust also in Him, and He will do it."  (Psalm 37:5)

This lesson explains biblically what it means to commit one's "way" to the Lord.  The verses below are taken from the New American Standard Bible (NASB 1995 version) unless noted otherwise (Ref. 1).

     Consider.  In the context of trusting in the Lord, what do you think David had in mind when he wrote, "Commit your way to the Lord"? (Psalm 37:5)

Introduction

     David wrote Psalm 37 about the security of those who trust in the Lord (see the heading for Psalm 37:1-6).  In Psalm 37:3, David tells us, "Trust in the Lord and do good; Dwell in the land and cultivate [feed on] [God's] faithfulness" (Ref. 2, brackets added).  To "trust" in the Lord means to be confident, sure, and secure in the Lord (Strong's Exhaustive Concordance - Ref. 3). 
 

Commit your way to the Lord

     In Psalm 37:5, the scripture instructs us to "Commit your way to the Lord."  Let's look into the word meanings for "commit" and "way" in this phrase.

a.  The Hebrew word translated as "commit" literally means to "roll" or "roll away" (Ref. 4, Genesis 29:10).  The idea is for a person to roll or roll away a large stone (figuratively, a burden) which is too heavy for them to bear from themself onto the Lord, imploring his help (Ref. 5). 

b.  The Hebrew word derek translated as "way" in Psalm 37:5 has both a literal and a figurative meaning.  Derek literally means way, road, distance, journey, or manner (Ref. 6).  Figuratively, derek means our entire course or journey of life (Brown-Driver-Briggs -- Ref. 6).  When we confidently commit our "way" to the Lord, we entrust him with our life's journey including all of our cares, burdens, plans, and business.

Similar verse:

• Proverbs 16:3 -- "Commit your works to the Lord
  And your plans will be established." 
  
  Here, your "works" are the deeds, actions, and products of your life (Strong's Exhaustive Concordance - Ref. 7).
  
  

Trust also in Him

     Committing your way to the Lord and trusting in him go hand in hand.  Trusting in the Lord means putting your confidence in him (Ref. 3).  When we roll our life's journey, and all that weighs on us, on him, we have confidence that our life is in good hands (Ref. 8). 

Similar verses:

• Proverbs 3:5-6 -- "Trust in the Lord with all your heart
  And do not lean on your own understanding. 
  In all your ways acknowledge Him,
  And He will make your paths [figuratively, your course of life] straight."
  (Ref. 9, brackets added)
  
  

And He will do it

     The Hebrew verb translated in Psalm 37:5 NASB as "will do it" means literally to do or make, and more broadly, to accomplish (Ref. 10).  The English Standard Version translates this phrase as "He will act" (Psalm 37:5 ESV).  The King James Version translates this phrase as "He shall bring it to pass" (Psalm 37:5 KJV).

When we roll our life's journey, and all that weighs on us onto our Lord Jesus, we have confidence and are sure that he will act and that he will guide us in the way that he determines is good (Romans 8:28, Proverbs 16:9).

     Apply.  Every day, in prayer, commit yourself and your way to the Lord Jesus.  Ask him and seek his direction for your life, that you may walk in the purpose he has for your life (Matthew 7:7).  Ask him to give you wisdom for your plans and decisions (James 1:5).  Trust him to provide for your needs in accordance with his will (Philippians 4:19, 1 John 5:14).  Cast your worries and burdens onto him (1 Peter 5:7 NIV).  Confidently know that the Lord Jesus will act in your behalf (Psalm 37:5).  He will bring to pass what is good for you according to his purpose (Romans 8:28). 

Thank the Lord and praise him for his answers to your prayers (Philippians 4:6 TLB).  Tell others, with gratitude and humility, what God has done for you (Psalm 66:16).  Your witness will encourage other people to commit their way to the Lord.

Related Lessons
"About the Way" - John 14:6
"The Way of the Lord (Old Testament)" - Deuteronomy 5:33
"Cast All Your Anxiety on Him" - 1 Peter 5:7

References
1.  https://www.biblegateway.com/versions/New-American-Standard-Bible-NASB1995/
2.  https://biblehub.com/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/37.htm
Pulpit Commentary - Psalm 37:3
3.  https://biblehub.com/hebrew/982.htm
4.  https://biblehub.com/hebrew/1556.htm
5.  https://biblehub.com/commentaries/poole/proverbs/16.htm
Matthew Poole's Commentary - Proverbs 16:3
6.  https://biblehub.com/hebrew/1870.htm
7.  https://biblehub.com/hebrew/4639.htm
8.  https://biblehub.com/commentaries/king-en/psalms/37.htm
Kingcomments Bible Studies - Psalm 37:5
9.  https://biblehub.com/hebrew/734.htm
10.  https://biblehub.com/hebrew/6213.htm