Blessings for the Meek and Humble in Scripture
The concept of blessings for the meek and humble is rooted in various biblical passages. In the Beatitudes, Jesus pronounces, "Blessed are the meek! For they shall inherit the earth" (Matthew 5:5) [1]. This echoes Psalm 37:11, which is directly referenced in Matthew 5:5. The Psalm states that the meek "shall inherit the earth" and "delight themselves in the abundance of peace" (Psalm 37:11).
Meekness is characterized by humility, gentleness, and a willingness to submit to God's will. According to John Gill, meekness involves being "not easily provoked to anger; patiently bearing injuries and affronts; carrying oneself courteously and affably to all" [4]. This understanding is supported by various biblical examples, including Christ's own example of meekness (Psalm 45:4; Isaiah 53:7; Matthew 11:29; 21:5) [3].
The blessings promised to the meek include inheriting the earth, being guided in judgment, and being taught God's way (Psalm 25:9) [2]. The meek are also described as those who "increase their joy in the Lord" and "hear the joyful noise" (Isaiah 29:19). According to Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, the meek are characterized by a "lowly and gentle carriage" and are promised that they "shall inherit the earth" [5].
The biblical concept of meekness is closely tied to the idea of humility. The meek are those who recognize their own sinfulness and submit to God's will. As Tyndale House notes, "all human beings are born sinners" and the meek are those who "fight against" their sinful nature (Psalm 58:3) [6]. The meek are also described as those who "attribute all they have, and are, to the free grace of God" and "quietly submit to every dispensation of Providence" [7].
The blessings promised to the meek and humble are not limited to this life. According to Psalm 37:11, they will "delight themselves in the abundance of peace". The meek are also promised that they will be "lifted up" by the Lord (Psalm 147:6) [8]. This lifting up is a manifestation of God's mercy and grace, which are characteristic of His relationship with the humble.
The biblical emphasis on meekness and humility highlights the importance of a proper understanding of one's relationship with God. As John Gill notes, the meek are those who "see the insufficiency of their own righteousness, and submit to the righteousness of Christ" [7]. This understanding is central to the biblical concept of blessings for the meek and humble. The Lord's guidance and teaching are available to those who are humble, as Psalm 25:9 indicates [2].
Sources
- Matthew “Matthew 5:5 (LITV) — Blessed are the meek! For they shall inherit the earth. Psa. 37:11”
- Psalms “Psalms 25:9 (Geneva1599) — Them that be meeke, will hee guide in iudgement, and teach the humble his way.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Meekness — Christ set an example of -- Ps 45:4; Isa 53:7; Mt 11:29; 21:5; 2Co 10:1; 1Pe 2:21-23. His teaching -- Mt 5:38-45. A fruit of the Spirit -- Ga 5:22,23. Saints should Seek. -- Zep 2:3. Put on. -- Col 3:12-13. Receive the word of God with. -- Jas 1:21. Exhibit, in conduct, &c. -- Jas 3:13. Answer for their hope with. -- 1Pe 3:15. Show to all men. -- Tit 3:2. Restore the erring with. -- Ga 6:1. Precious in the sight of God -- 1Pe 3:4. Ministers should Follow after. -- 1Ti 6:11. Instruct opposers with. -- 2Ti 2:24,25. Urge, on their people. -- Tit 3:1,2. A char”
- Matthew (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Matthew 5:5: Blessed are the meek,.... Who are not easily provoked to anger; who patiently bear, and put up with injuries and affronts; carry themselves courteously, and affably to all; have the meanest thoughts of themselves, and the best of others; do not envy the gifts and graces of other men; are willing to be instructed and admonished, by the meanest of the saints; quietly submit to the will of God, in adverse dispensations of providence; and ascribe all they have, and are, to the grace of God. Meekness, or humility, is very valuable and commendable. The Jews, though a proud,”
- Matthew (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Matthew 5:5: Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth--This promise to the meek is but a repetition of Psa 37:11; only the word which our Evangelist renders "the meek," after the Septuagint, is the same which we have found so often translated "the poor," showing how closely allied these two features of character are. It is impossible, indeed, that "the poor in spirit" and "the mourners" in Zion should not at the same time be "meek"; that is to say, persons of a lowly and gentle carriage. How fitting, at least, it is that they should be so, may be seen”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 58:3: 58:3 All human beings are born sinners (see 51:5); however, whereas the wicked indulge their sinful nature, the godly fight against it (Rom 7:19-23; Jas 4:1-10).”
- Isaiah (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Isaiah 29:19: The meek also shall increase their joy in the Lord,.... The "meek", lowly, and humble, are such who are made sensible of sin, and become humble under a sense of it; who see the insufficiency of their own righteousness, and submit to the righteousness of Christ; who attribute all they have, and are, to the free grace of God, and quietly submit to every dispensation of Providence; who are not easily provoked by men, but bear much and long without reviling; who envy not those that are above them in gifts and grace, nor despise those that are below them, and think the wo”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 147:6: The Lord lifteth up the meek,.... The lowly and humble souls, such as are made so by the Spirit of God; he shows them their sinfulness, and want of righteousness; the insufficiency of their own, and need of Christ's; blowing a blast upon all their goodliness, so bringing down their natural pride and haughtiness, and causing them to submit to Christ, that he alone might be exalted; such as learn of him, who is meek and lowly, and become the followers of the humble Jesus; who being partakers of his grace, have low thoughts of themselves, as if the least of saints and c”