Psalms 37:23
The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.
Original Language Analysis
מֵ֭יְהוָה
by the LORD
H3068
מֵ֭יְהוָה
by the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
1 of 6
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
גֶ֥בֶר
of a good man
H1397
גֶ֥בֶר
of a good man
Strong's:
H1397
Word #:
3 of 6
properly, a valiant man or warrior; generally, a person simply
כּוֹנָ֗נוּ
are ordered
H3559
כּוֹנָ֗נוּ
are ordered
Strong's:
H3559
Word #:
4 of 6
properly, to be erect (i.e., stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a great variety of applications, whether literal (establish, fix,
Cross References
Proverbs 16:9A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.Psalms 119:133Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.Proverbs 4:26Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.Psalms 40:2He 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 121:8The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.1 Samuel 2:9He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail.Psalms 85:13Righteousness shall go before him; and shall set us in the way of his steps.Jeremiah 10:23O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.Psalms 121:3He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.Psalms 17:5Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not.
Historical Context
David's own life illustrates this: from shepherd to fugitive to king, God ordered his chaotic steps. Written possibly during his prosperous middle reign, reflecting on God's faithfulness through turbulent early years, including fleeing Saul and navigating political intrigue.
Questions for Reflection
- How can you discern between your own desires and God's ordering of your steps?
- What does it mean that God 'delights' in your way—how does His pleasure relate to your obedience and trust?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD (מִיהוָה מִצְעֲדֵי־גֶבֶר כּוֹנָנוּ, mei-YHWH mitzadei-gever konanu)—the verb kun (established/made firm) appears in the Polal (intensive passive), emphasizing God's active, ongoing establishment of each step. This isn't fatalism but providence: God directs the path of gever (strong man/warrior) who trusts Him. And he delighteth in his way (וּבְדַרְכּוֹ יֶחְפָּץ, uvedarko yechpats)—God's chefets (delight/pleasure) in the righteous man's journey shows covenant relationship, not mere external control.
Proverbs 16:9 balances human agency with divine sovereignty: "A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps." God guides without coercing; we walk, He orders. This contradicts both Pelagianism (self-salvation) and hyper-Calvinism (passive fatalism).