God’s Word Translation
Psalms 37:23
23A person’s steps are directed by the Lord, and the Lord delights in his way.
Psalms 37:23 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way.
- New International Version (NIV)The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him;
- English Standard Version (ESV)The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way;
- New King James Version (NKJV)The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, And He delights in his way.
Context of Psalms 37:23
21A wicked person borrows, but he does not repay. A righteous person is generous and giving. 22Those who are blessed by him will inherit the land. Those who are cursed by him will be cut off. A person’s steps are directed by the Lord, and the Lord delights in his way. 24When he falls, he will not be thrown down headfirst because the Lord holds on to his hand. 25I have been young, and now I am old, but I have never seen a righteous person abandoned or his descendants begging for food.
Read all of Psalms 37Psalms 37:23 word by word
מֵ֭יְהוָה מִֽצְעֲדֵי־גֶ֥בֶר כּוֹנָ֗נוּ וְדַרְכּ֥וֹ יֶחְפָּֽץ׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Psalms 37:23
- Psalms 17:5my steps have remained firmly in your paths. My feet have not slipped.
- Psalms 85:13Righteousness will go ahead of him and make a path for his steps.
- Psalms 119:133Make my steps secure through your promise, and do not let any sin control me.
- Psalms 121:3He will not let you fall. Your guardian will not fall asleep.
- 1 Samuel 2:9He safeguards the steps of his faithful ones, but wicked people are silenced in darkness because humans cannot succeed by their own strength.
- Job 23:11I have followed his footsteps closely. I have stayed on his path and did not turn from it.
- Proverbs 16:9A person may plan his own journey, but the Lord directs his steps.
- Jeremiah 10:23O Lord, I know that the way humans act is not under their control. Humans do not direct their steps as they walk.
- Psalms 40:2He pulled me out of a horrible pit, out of the mud and clay. He set my feet on a rock and made my steps secure.
- Proverbs 4:26Carefully walk a straight path, and all your ways will be secure.
- Psalms 147:10He finds no joy in strong horses, nor is he pleased by brave soldiers.
- Proverbs 11:1Dishonest scales are disgusting to the Lord, but accurate weights are pleasing to him.
- Jeremiah 9:24If they want to brag, they should brag that they understand and know me. They should brag that I, the Lord, act out of love, righteousness, and justice on the earth. This kind of bragging pleases me, declares the Lord.
- Hebrews 13:16Don’t forget to do good things for others and to share what you have with them. These are the kinds of sacrifices that please God.
Commentaries on Psalms 37:23
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 23The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord - There is nothing for good in the text. גבר geber is the original word, and it properly signifies a strong man, a conqueror or hero; and it appears to be used here to show, that even the most powerful must be supported by the Lord, otherwise their strength and courage will be of little avail. And he delighteth in his way - When his steps are ordered by the Lord, he delighteth in his way, because it is that…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 23The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord - Margin, “established.” The word rendered “ordered” means to stand erect; to set up; to found; to adjust, fit, direct. The idea here is, that all which pertains to the journey of a good man through life is directed, ordered, fitted, or arranged by the Lord. That is, his course of life is under the divine guidance and control. The word “good” has been supplied here by our translators, and there is nothing…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 21-33Verses 21-33 The Lord our God requires that we do justly, and render to all their due. It is a great sin for those that are able, to deny the payment of just debts; it is a great misery not to be able to pay them. He that is truly merciful, will be ever merciful. We must leave our sins; learn to do well, and cleave to it. This is true religion. The blessing of God is the spring, sweetness, and security of all earthly enjoyments. And if we are sure of…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 23-24The honesty and strength of a godly person's life come from the Lord (see Proverbs 4:12; 14:15; 16:9; 20:24).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 23-2423-24. steps--way, or, "course of life"; as ordered by God, failures will not be permanent.Read the comment
Topics related to Psalms 37:23
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Psalms 37
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- The Treasury of David
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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