Psalm 37:23

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

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(23) The steps.—Comp. Proverbs 20:24; Proverbs 16:9, passages which are in favour of a general interpretation here, not confined to the good man. Render, man’s steps are established by Jehovah, i.e., all the stability in human conduct comes from His guidance.

Benson Commentary

Psalm 37:23-24. The steps of a good man — Hebrew, of man, namely, of the righteous, or blessed man, mentioned Psalm 37:21-22; are ordered by the Lord — Or, directed, or disposed, that is, so governed as to attain the end at which he aims; or strengthened, or established, so as he shall not stumble and fall into mischief. For he seems still to be describing, not their virtue, but their prosperity. And he delighteth in his way — Hebrew, ודרכו יחפצ, vedarcho jechpats, he favoureth his way, that is, succeeds and prospers his counsels and enterprises. Though he fall — Into distress or trouble, as Micah 7:8; he shall not be utterly cast down — Not totally, or irrecoverably ruined.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

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. And if we are sure of this, we are sure not to want any thing good for us in this world. By his grace and Holy Spirit, he directs the thoughts, affections, and designs of good men. By his providence he overrules events, so as to make their way plain. He does not always show them his way for a distance, but leads them step by step, as children are led. God will keep them from being ruined by their falls, either into sin or into trouble, though such as fall into sin will be sorely hurt. Few, if any, have known the consistent believer, or his children, reduced to abject, friendless want. God forsakes not his saints in affliction; and in heaven only the righteous shall dwell for ever; that will be their everlasting habitation. A good man may fall into the hands of a messenger of Satan, and be sorely buffeted, but God will not leave him in his enemy's hands.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

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.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

23, 24. steps—way, or, "course of life"; as ordered by God, failures will not be permanent.

Matthew Poole's Commentary

Of a good man, or, of that man, to wit, the righteous or blessed man, expressed Psalm 37:21,22.

Ordered, or directed, or disposed, i.e. so governed as to attain the end and happy issue at which he aims. Or, strengthened, or established, so as he shall not stumble nor fall into mischief; for still he seems to be describing, not their virtue, but their felicity.

And he delighteth in his way; or, and he favoureth his way, i.e. succeeds and prospers his counsels and enterprises.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord,.... Or "of a man" (w); such a man as is blessed of the Lord; the steps which he takes in life are ordered by the Lord, both with respect to things temporal and spiritual: his good conduct is not of himself, it is a blessing of the Lord, who directs and keeps the feet of his saints, and inclines them to take such steps, and pursue such methods, which he succeeds and prospers;

and he delighteth in his way; which he knows and approves of, guides and directs him in; see Psalm 1:6.

(w) "hominis", Pagninus, Montanus, &c.

Geneva Study Bible

{p} The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.

(p) God prospers the faithful because they walk in his ways with an upright conscience.

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

23. It seems best to take Psalm 37:23 in close connexion with Psalm 37:24, as (virtually) the condition of the promise:

When a man’s goings are established of Jehovah,

And he delighteth in his way;

Though he fall &c.

The second line may be understood of Jehovah’s satisfaction in the good man’s life (He delighteth in his way: cp. Psalm 18:19; Psalm 22:8); or of the good man’s willing acceptance of Jehovah’s guidance (he delighteth in His way). The latter explanation is supported by Proverbs 10:29, which occurs in a context parallel to this Psalm. Cp. Psalm 37:34; Psalm 119:35.

23, 24. Stanza of Mem. God’s directing and upholding care.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 23. - The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord; rather, established; i.e. upheld, and made firm. It is not the general superintendence of men's steps and goings by God (Proverbs 16:9; Proverbs 20:24) which is here spoken of; but the special strengthening and supporting of the steps of the pious. The wont גבר must be understood, not of the ordinary man, but of the good man. ("גבר, viri, scilicet justi, et Jova benedicti," Roseumuller). And he delighteth in his way. He "knows" it (Psalm 1:6), and looks upon it with favour, and even "has pleasure" in it (Psalm 35:27). Psalm 37:23

Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament

By Jahve (מן, ἀπό, almost equivalent to ὑπό with the passive, as in Job 24:1; Ecclesiastes 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, Proverbs 16:9; Jeremiah 10:23; 2 Chronicles 27:6), whereas כּוננוּ, the Pulal of כּונן, is to be understood according to Psalm 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," Proverbs 16:9; Proverbs 20:24; Jeremiah 10:23. Psalm 37:23 shows that it is the upright man that is meant in Psalm 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, Psalm 63:9, and frequently), so that he can raise himself again, rise up again.