"Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun."
— Psalm 37:5-6 (NIV)
Psalm 37:5 is the "commit your way to the Lord" verse. This page gives the verse, where it sits in Psalm 37, and a plain reading. For more on the theme, see Bible verses about trust, Bible verses about worry, and Psalm 37:4.
Free PDF
Get the free 30 Days of Love Verses PDF
Sign up for the daily Bible verse email, and get the free 30 Days of Love Verses PDF. 30 Days of Love Verses · Open the PDF
The verse
The King James reads: "Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass."
"Commit" is galal (H1556), to roll something onto someone else, like rolling a heavy load off your back. "Way" is derek (H1870), a road or course of life. "Trust" is batach (H982), to rely on, and "he will do this" (KJV "bring it to pass") is asah (H6213), to do or make.
Where it sits in Psalm 37
Psalm 37 is a psalm of David about not fretting when evil people seem to win. It opens, "Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong" (Psalm 37:1).
Verses 3-7 are a short run of commands: trust and do good (v. 3), take delight in the Lord (v. 4, see Psalm 37:4), commit your way (v. 5), and "Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways" (v. 7).
What the verse is saying
To commit your way is to roll your plans, worries, and outcomes onto God instead of carrying them alone. Trust is the posture that goes with it. The promise is that God himself will act.
Verse 6 says what he will do: bring your right standing into the light "like the dawn." The verse does not promise every plan will succeed on your schedule; verse 7 asks for patient waiting. Proverbs 3:5-6 and 1 Peter 5:7 say much the same thing: trust him with your path and cast your anxiety on him.
Questions people ask
What does Psalm 37:5 say?
In the NIV it says, "Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this." The KJV says, "Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass."
What does "commit your way to the Lord" mean?
The Hebrew word galal means to roll. Committing your way means rolling your plans and burdens onto God and relying on him with the outcome.
What will God do in Psalm 37:5?
Verse 6 completes the thought: "He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun."
Who wrote Psalm 37?
The heading credits David.
What other verses are like Psalm 37:5?
Proverbs 16:3 (commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans), Proverbs 3:5-6 (trust in the Lord with all your heart), and 1 Peter 5:7 (cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you) are close companions.
