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Selected Verse: Psalms 37:23 - King James
| Verse |
Translation |
Text |
| Ps 37:23 |
King James |
The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. |
Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse
| A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] |
| steps--way, or, "course of life"; as ordered by God, failures will not be permanent. |
| Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
The 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 corresponding to it in the original. It is simply there, "the steps of man are ordered," etc. Yet there can be no doubt that a good or pious man is particularly referred to, for the connection demands this interpretation. The word "steps" here means his course of life; the way in which he goes.
And he delighteth in his way - In his course of life; and, therefore, he blesses him. The general idea is that he is the object of the divine favor, and is under the care of God. |
| Commentary on the Old Testament, by Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch [1857-78] |
| By Jahve (מן, ἀπό, almost equivalent to ὑπό with the passive, as in Job 24:1; Ecc 12:11, and in a few other passages) are a man's steps made firm, established; not: ordered or directed (lxx, Jerome, κατευθύνεται), which, according to the extant usage of the language, would be הוּכנוּ (passive of הכין, Pro 16:9; Jer 10:23; Ch2 27:6), whereas כּוננוּ, the Pulal of כּונן, is to be understood according to Psa 40:3. By גּבר is meant man in an emphatic sense (Job 38:3), and in fact in an ethical sense; compare, on the other hand, the expression of the more general saying, "Man proposes, and God disposes," Pro 16:9; Pro 20:24; Jer 10:23. Psa 37:23 shows that it is the upright man that is meant in Psa 37:23: to the way, i.e., course of life, of such an one God turns with pleasure (יחפּץ pausal change of vowel for יחפּץ): supposing he should fall, whether it be a fall arising from misfortune or from error, or both together, he is not prostrated, but Jahve upholds his hand, affords it a firm point of support or fulcrum (cf. תּמך בּ, Psa 63:9, and frequently), so that he can raise himself again, rise up again. |
| Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65] |
| Established - So that he shall not fall into mischief. |
| Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826 |
The 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 into which his own good Spirit has directed him. Or, the man delights in God's way - in the law and testimonies of his Maker. |
9 But those that seek my soul, to destroy it, shall go into the lower parts of the earth.
23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.
23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.
23 O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.
24 Man's goings are of the LORD; how can a man then understand his own way?
9 A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.
3 Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me.
3 And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.
6 So Jotham became mighty, because he prepared his ways before the LORD his God.
23 O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.
9 A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.
11 The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd.
1 Why, seeing times are not hidden from the Almighty, do they that know him not see his days?