If good people go to heaven when they die - why does it say at PSALM 37:29 .....?

Question

That the righteous will dwell forever on the earth?

ALL scripture is beneficial for our instruction (2 Timothy 3:16,17) so surely the psalms are not just songs but inspired by God too.

Answer 1

You are to be commended for asking this pertinent question.
I would say with certainty that most "Christians" think they are going to 'heaven or hell' when they die and yet the Word of God clearly states that the earth was created for mankind to live on "forever".
Those of us that have studied the Word of God thoroughly for years know that this is true.
The heavenly hope is for those "chosen ones" who will rule with Christ in God's Kingdom government, the 144,000 anointed Holy ones, of God's choosing, who will join Christ in heaven to rule for 1000 years.

Answer 2

That's a great question Josh. Well, looks like this one has been answered and I am late to the drawing board. The only thing I would add is that the Psalm says the "righteous" dwell forever on the earth, not the "good people." Did not Jesus say, "why do you call me good, there is one good, that is God." Obviously, he was not saying He was not God, but saying to the rich young ruler "believing me to be only a human teacher, goodness, in his fullest sense, only belongs to God and you don't believe that about me. Our righteousness is as filthy rags and only the righteousness of Christ imputed to us can cover our sins. Those people will dwell forever in the new heavens and earth.

Answer 3

That is why Jehovahs Witnesses believes righteous ones will stay on earth and not go to heaven.
Makes sense if you think about it - god created the earth for humans, especially designed for them - why would he bring us to heaven?

"And just a little while longer, and the wicked one will be no more; And you will certainly give attention to his place, and he will not be. But the meek ones themselves will possess the earth,
And they will indeed find their exquisite delight in the abundance of peace." Ps 37 v 10,11

5 For, according to their wish, this fact escapes their notice, that there were heavens from of old and an earth standing compactly out of water and in the midst of water by the word of God; 6 and by those [means] the world of that time suffered destruction when it was deluged with water. 7 But by the same word the heavens and the earth that are now are stored up for fire and are being reserved to the day of judgment and of destruction of the ungodly men. 2 Pet 3:5-7

Interestly tough this isnt referring to destruction of the earth as some think that is Armageddon as spoken of in Revelation rather the bible says, "He has founded the earth upon its established places;
It will not be made to totter to time indefinite, or forever." Ps 104v5

"Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30 And then the sign of the Son of man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will beat themselves in lamentation, and they will see the Son of man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And he will send forth his angels with a great trumpet sound, and they will gather his chosen ones together from the four winds, from one extremity of the heavens to their other extremity." Matt 24v29 - 31

The theme of the bible is towards the day when God will rid earth wickedness and righteous ones will remain on it with everlasting life.
Maybe it sounds far fetched to some but if God can raise the dead, then its not a problem to keep us alive forever!
Its strange because to me it sounds far fetched that we get wings and fly around on clouds yet people find it harder to believe we live on earth!

Answer 4

There is clearly an emphasis in the repetition of the same promise in the same terms which ought to have been uniformly rendered throughout Ps 37:9,11,22,29,34. And it cannot be doubted, that there is a reference to the new heavens and the new earth of Isa 56:17 .
KJV: Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.2 peter 3:13

Answer 5

Because the bible says that when Jesus Christ returns for the ones who have given their life to him, they will reign here on earth with him for a thousand years and then after saten and all others who have chosen to go against God will be destroyed in the lake of fire and burn in hell eternally. Meanwhile a new earth and new heaven will be created (meaning they become one) and Jesus will rule in this once again perfect land forever with all those who chose to give their life and follow him.

Answer 6

Because we who die in Christ will return to inherit the earth. We will be given new bodies that cannot die.

Revelation 21:1-2 "1) And I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away and tehre was no more sea. 2) And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3)And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them and be their God.

Answer 7

i think it might be saying that when we die the good shall go to heaven and therefore be the righteous, and once judgement is finished i belive the earth will be clear of its modern ways and the good people shall return to the earth and start again forever, in the same lands that adam and eve where brought into, so basically the righteous will return after judgement and live the perfect life God intended.

(why i get three thumbs down for saying exactly what everyone else said just in different wordings??)

Answer 8

Because the kingdom is going to be rebuilt on earth after the apocolypse. This is the reason that most of the original christians believed in a bodily resurrection.

Answer 9

Whatever you do remember the Psalms are all songs basing a doctrine or belief structure on them would be like setting one for the beach boys. The writer was expressing himself and his heart at the time.

Answer 10

There seems to be a flaw in this question - it is not 'good' people that go to heaven, it is sinners, bad people, who have accepted Jesus as their Saviour and righteousness because they have none of their own who will go to heaven. As for the rest of the question, it is one interpretation that the earth will be restored to perfection, as it was intended to be, when Christ returns... I can't wait...