Psalms 37 · Verse 23

Psalms 37:23

The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way.
Psalms 37:23, King James Version

Psalms 37:23 in other translations

BSBThe steps of a man are ordered by the LORD who takes delight in his journey.
WEBA man’s steps are established by the LORD. He delights in his way.
ASVA man’s goings are established of Jehovah; And he delighteth in his way.
YLTFrom Jehovah are the steps of a man, They have been prepared, And his way he desireth.
DARBYThe steps of a man are established by Jehovah, and he delighteth in his way:
BBEThe steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and he takes delight in his way.
WebsterThe steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.

What does Psalms 37:23 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 37:23-24
23-24. steps--way, or, "course of life"; as ordered by God, failures will not be permanent.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 23 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.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Psalms 37:21-33

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…

Read the full comment on Psalms 37:21-33 →

Psalms 37:23 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

מֵ֭יְהוָהme.Yah.wehfrom YahwehH3068
מִֽצְעֲדֵי\־mitz.'a.dei-[the] steps ofH4703
גֶ֥בֶרGe.vera manH1397
כּוֹנָ֗נוּko.Na.nuthey are establishedH3559
וְדַרְכּ֥וֹve.dar.Koand way hisH1870
יֶחְפָּֽץ\׃yech.Patzhe delights inH2654

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Psalms 37:23

  • Proverbs 16:9

    A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps.

  • Psalms 119:133

    Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.

  • Proverbs 4:26

    Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.

  • 1 Samuel 2:9

    He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail.

  • Psalms 40:2

    He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.

  • Psalms 121:8

    The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.

  • Psalms 85:13

    Righteousness shall go before him; and shall set us in the way of his steps.

  • Jeremiah 10:23

    O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.

  • Psalms 121:3

    He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.

  • Psalms 147:10-11

    He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man. The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.

  • Job 23:11-12

    My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined. Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.

  • Psalms 17:5

    Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
steps.
17:5; 85:13; 119:133; 121:3,8; 1Sa 2:9; Job 23:11,12; Pr 16:9
Jer 10:23
ordered. or, established.
40:2; Pr 4:26
delighteth.
147:10; Pr 11:1,20; Jer 9:24; Heb 13:16

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Psalms 37:22

    For such as be blessed of him shall inherit the earth; and they that be cursed of him shall be cut off.

  • Psalms 37:23

    The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way.

  • Psalms 37:24

    Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand.

Read all of Psalms 37

Psalms 37:23 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Por Jehová son ordenados los pasos del hombre, y aprueba su camino.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Par l’ Éternel les pas de l’homme sont affermis, et il prend plaisir à sa voie:
German
Elberfelder 1871		Von Jehova werden befestigt des Mannes Schritte, und an seinem Wege hat er Wohlgefallen;
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Intende in adjutorium meum, Domine Deus salutis meæ.