Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 37:23
The steps of a [good] man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.
23. It seems best to take Psa 37:23 in close connexion with Psa 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. Psa 18:19; Psa 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 Pro 10:29, which occurs in a context parallel to this Psalm. Cp. Psa 37:34; Psa 119:35.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
23, 24. Stanza of Mem. God’s directing and upholding care.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
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.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Psa 37:23
The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and He deligteth in his way.
The ordered steps
That first step of your little child–what an event it is! Never again will single steps have such interest for you. And yet why not? In manhood, no less than in infancy, single steps are significant. You find it out sometimes in disagreeable ways. One step in the dark carries you off firm footing into an open trap, or down a bank. The first step down a wrong road is the beginning of troublesome, and possibly dangerous, wanderings. The first step to honour or fortune-how much meaning!
I. God orders and establishes the details of his childrens lives. Details are of immense importance everywhere. Step by step is the law of all progress. God moves masses through details. A man is what the details of his life are. In the Bible we see God busied not alone with great things, but He is constantly dealing with details. He is explaining a servants dream; He is providing for a little castaway babe in a bulrush basket. And so it was in the life of Christ. His work was full of detail, of small incidents of little duties daily done. The same thing appears in Christs preaching. He tells men how to live; but He says nothing about great, far-reaching plans of life. His talk is rather of living by the day, and letting the morrow take thought for the things of itself. He comes to reveal God to us: but His speech is not about the God of vast designs and transcendent power; rather of one who paints each lily of the fields, and feeds the birds, and marks the sparrows fall, and numbers the hairs of our head. Thus you see one law–the law of the steps–running through physical and moral nature alike. Gravitation and Providence observe the same principle. God regulates the mass through the particles; society, through the individual; the individual, through the details of his life.
II. And there is design and plan in all though we often fail to perceive this. Our little daily duties appear to have so slight relation to each other. But as one illustration that the truth is other than it seems, look at the familiar history of the life of Joseph. The steps of a good man, then, are ordered. He does not walk at random. And really you and I, in our measure, are familiar with the same fact, and act it out. You see in a son of yours promise of intellectual and moral power; and you set yourself to shape that boys career, and you do shape it, and that by attending to its successive steps. Is there, then, anything strange in our heavenly Fathers ordering the steps of His children? For a free will may choose to obey another will. If God has prepared tracks for my life, surely my very freedom of choice empowers me to keep to those tracks: and, to the obedient, loving soul, it is an immense comfort and relief to know that his life moves on prepared lines. I sat one evening in a window looking out on Charing Cross railway-station, with its trains arriving, and departing every few minutes, and its cross-tides of thronging people. A train stood on the track, and the bell rang for starting. In front, through the great archways, I looked out into the misty night. A few stray gleams of light revealed a labyrinth of rails, curving and crossing: above was a signal-stand–a great hieroglyph of green, red, and white lights, shifting every moment; and into this darkness and confusion the engine moved. What was it that made that engineer so quiet and confident? Why was he not disturbed and anxious at the chaos of rails and lights and the thick night beyond? Simply because everything was laid down for him. He had only to obey the signals, and drive his engine: the track was laid. Other minds had the care and responsibility of the switches and signal-lights: he had only to go forward, and to stop when bidden. I do not like the picture, some one will perhaps say. It leaves me little to say about my life. Well, change the picture if you will. Let the engineer go forth from the station on an engine not fitted to a track. Let him move out into the night, in the consciousness of independence and free choice, to avoid collision and wreck as he can. Have you bettered the matter any? Our own way means ruin; Gods way is, and alone is, salvation.
III. God is pleased with him who lets his steps be ordered. Literally the words read, From Jehovah is it that a mans steps are established, so that He hath pleasure in his way. We do God a great wrong when we picture Him as a creditor whose interest in his debtors begins and ends with their paying their debts. God merges the relation of debtor and creditor in that of father and child. It is a very small part of your interest in your child, that he should repay you for your care of him. In fact, payment is impossible. On the contrary, everything the child does or says is interesting to you because he is your child. Now, possibly, we find it hard to transfer just that feeling to God; and yet that is the true view of his feeling towards His children. But we find it difficult to believe, though we would like to, that we are Gods children. We are so faulty and wrong: it seems a cruel satire to tell me that the Lord delighteth in my way. Here, then, the third truth of the text comes in.
IV. Infirmity is recognized as an element of the good mans walk. Though he fall–then it is looked upon as more than possible that he may fall. We may go back to the picture of the babes first walk. There is none which better suits the case. You do not despise that babys attempts at walking, because he falls over now and then. You would rather have him fall a hundred times–yes, and hurt himself too–than not have him walk at all. Let us face the fact squarely. There is falling along the path by which God orders a mans steps. It is not that God ordains sin. He does not. But the path which God ordains for a good man lies through this world: and sin is in the world, no matter why or how; and a good mans walk with God consists very largely in a fight with sin. What God pledges is not that he shall walk to heaved a perfect, sinless man all the way. The psalmist prays, Order my steps in Thy Word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me; and, when we turn from the psalmist to Paul, we find the answer to that prayer: Sin shall not have dominion over you, for ye are not under the law, but under grace. The promise is for victory in the fight, but not for escape from the fight. Establishment does not exclude conflict or fall. One has said of David after his moral fall, He is not what he was before, but he is far nobler and greater than many a just man who never fell and never repented. Let us beware of thinking repentance a sentiment of a lower grade, or degrading to the man who drops its bitter tears. There is something heroic in the man who looks up to Gods ideal of manhood far, far above him, and at himself, lamed and wounded by his fall, and says, By Gods grace I will mount to it. Learn then–
1. If God has ordained a way for men to walk in, it is the height of folly to walk in any other way.
2. If God, as we have seen, orders our ways step by step, it becomes us to take heed to the details of our lives.
3. And ought we not to get great comfort out of this Divine ordering of each step? When a traveller in the Alps is ascending an ice-slope where he has to cut steps as he mounts, he thinks of little besides the step he is at that moment cutting. He has a point to reach, a space to traverse; but all that is lost sight of in the danger and difficulty which wait on every step he knows he will escape destruction only as each step shall be rightly cut, and his foot firmly planted each time. It is a good deal so in this life. It is not a safe journey by any means; but there is this assurance for a child of God who walks it, that each step shall be sure if he only commits his way unto the Lord. The separate steps! Sometimes each one seems to sink into a quagmire, or to strike a stone. It is hard to walk on in strong faith that they are ordered by the Lord. But they are so. Remember this, and that if He be for me, who can be against me? (Marvin R. Vincent, D. D.)
The Lords ordering of a good mans steps
I. The life of a good man is divinely planned.
1. If you will examine this psalm, you will have no difficulty in ascertaining what the writer means by a good man. He trusts in the Lord and does good; he delights himself also in the Lord; commits his way unto the Lord; trusts also in Him; rests in the Lord; and waits patiently for Him.
2. The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord. Many persons never think of this; some deny it altogether; and perhaps most of us often forget it, and thus lose the comfort of it (Pro 16:9; Pro 20:24).
(1) This plan is individual. There is not an item in our daily life which is not comprehended. Our joys, our sorrows, our associates, our connections, our wanderings, our acts, our thoughts; my life, your life, is Divinely ordered.
(2) It is special as it is comprehensive, The good man is Divinely directed in his everyday procedure, in his going out and coming in, his lying down and rising up, his successes and failures, his joys and sorrows, his trials and triumphs, his birth and death.
(3) It is benevolent. God overrules all agents and all events for the well-being of His people. Gods plan is great in its conception, great in the Divine skill by which it is shaped and worked out; above all, great in the momentous issues it prepares. But remember it is good as it is great. What a thought is this for us to cherish! What instigations does it add to send us onward in everything that constitutes our excellence!
II. The life of a good man is divinely approved. He delighteth in his way. This is understood by some to mean that the good man delights in the way of the Lord. I think the words mean that the Lord delights in the way of the good man. The good man delights himself in the Lord, and the Lord delights in him.
1. He delighteth in his way, because it is formed and fashioned according to the will of God, and is directed by His own Spirit.
2. He delighteth in his way, because it manifests His glory. The heavens declare the glory of God. But more of God and His glory may be seen in the life of a good mail than can be seen in the material universe. You see in him all that can be seen in the material creation, but you see in him what cannot be soon in it; and, moreover, you see more clearly what can.
III. The life of a good man is divinely protected.
1. The possibility implied. Though he fall. A good man, in this world of changes and reverse, may get prostrated by misfortune and distress; he may sink very low as to worldly circumstances; he may, like Job, be stripped of everything, or, like Joseph, put in prison. In this life disasters are to be expected, and it forms no part of Gods plan to prevent them. They are intended for the benefit of the good man; they are the refiners fire.
2. The truth expressed. He shall not be utterly cast down. He may fall; he may be cast down; but he shall not be prostrated wholly, not be thrown down for ever. The good man must expect to suffer, but not perish (verses 9, 10, 13, 15, 17, 20).
3. The reason. The Lord upholdeth his hand, or, is holding him up by his hand, or, upholdeth him with His hand. Thou hast holden me by my right hand. God not only sustains the good man in particular emergencies, but He is his constant and habitual upholder (verses 12, 18, 21). He has always a hold on his hand. He never lets it go. (P. Griffiths.)
Human evolution: from the involution of the Divine Spirit
A mans way is strictly the original Divine-human life more and more rooting and opening itself in him: the glory of God shed abroad in the inner world of his soul, as the solar glory is shed abroad in the earth, developing, transfiguring, and preparing him for his ascension, God delighteth in the way; because it is loves way, and unspeakably delightful. It is lifes way to mans completeness and complete blessedness; and grander than any man can think or imagine. It is evolution and evolution, not from non-intelligent matter, but from the living incorruptible substance in which God is involved as the working power. The steps which the Infinite Father has ordered for His sons and daughters are a series of surprises. Love delights to surpass expectation, and to have greater and greater surprises in reserve.
1. The whole round of nature is a ceaseless wonder, and ceaselessly changing its aspect. It feasts our affections, gratifies our love of the beautiful, exhilarates and enlarges the mind, cultivates the imagination, and is an endless source of poetic symbolism and illustration. It lives and breathes; and therefore demonstrates the nearness of God. It is never old, for it renews itself, and grows before our eyes. There ere always untrodden districts, and unvisited worlds awaiting our opportunity. Then Gods sons and daughters are themselves all that nature is, and much more. They are the crown of nature: they are nature, plus divinity.
2. Another beautiful surprise comes within the scope of our earthly existence: the home and family-surprise. New spirits from God actually arrive: they come secretly into our very blood, and clothe themselves with our nature; they come to stay with us and grow up in our homes. Their vivacity and novelty add a wonderful charm and enlargement to our life.
3. The stealing on of natures great eclipse and midnight is the dawn of Gods new life–full morning for the inner man. Death is new birth; when the sweetest surprise of all breaks into view. Natures children die; but Gods never. His children live, and breathe, and hold their being in the bosom of His Almighty Livingness. The way of God is from the first a living way. Thou wilt show me the path of life; and His path of life becomes more and more living; and most living, in, and through natures death. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. The ascent from the cold gloom of the valley is swift, for the guardian angels meet us there, and God is in them. (John Pulsford, D. D.)
Special providence
God exercises a special control over His chosen people.
I. God has a special design in their preservation and government.
1. He has a plan for the life of each one (Isa 30:21).
2. He knows the temperament peculiar to each one (Psa 139:3).
3. He suits His providence to the temperament of each one so as to accomplish His design (Mat 12:20; Eph 1:5-6).
II. God employs means to work out his designs. Sin is to be mortified and expelled, whilst character is to be refined and perfected. For this purpose trials and temptations, persecutions and afflictions, calamities and bereavements, are apportioned to each.
1. These are permissive (Job 1:12).
2. They are decretive (Gen 22:2; 1Pe 1:3-9).
3. They are afflictive and corrective (Psa 119:67; Psa 119:71; Jer 31:18-19; Heb 12:6-11).
III. The nature of these providences.
1. They are minute and exact (Mat 10:30).
2. They relate to food and raiment (Psa 37:25; Mat 6:25-34).
3. They extend to the whole of life (Job 14:5; Psa 37:23; Psa 139:14-16).
IV. Application.
1. Let us trust God more implicitly in all the events of life.
2. Let us take comfort from this doctrine. All things work together for good (Rom 8:28); they do so now. Whatever else may fail us, God will not (Psa 97:1). (L. O. Thompson.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 23. The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord] There is nothing for good in the text. 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.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Of a good man, or, of that man, to wit, the righteous or blessed man, expressed Psa 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.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
23, 24. stepsway, or, “courseof life”; as ordered by God, failures will not be permanent.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole 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 Ps 1:6.
w “hominis”, Pagninus, Montanus, &c.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
By Jahve ( , , almost equivalent to 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, ), which, according to the extant usage of the language, would be (passive of , Pro 16:9; Jer 10:23; 2Ch 27:6), whereas , the Pulal of , is to be understood according to Psa 40:3. By 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 ( pausal change of vowel for ): 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. , Psa 63:9, and frequently), so that he can raise himself again, rise up again.
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
23 The footsteps of a man are directed by Jehovah Some join together these two things, first, that the footsteps of the godly are ordered by the grace of God, since men do not in their own strength follow what is just and right, but only in so far as the Spirit of God directs them; and hence the second follows, namely, that God favors and approves what is his own. But David simply continues his commendation of the divine blessing towards the faithful, of whom this is especially worthy of being remembered, that whatever they undertake always has a favorable and happy result. At the same time, the reason why God crowns with prosperity and success all our efforts throughout the course of our life is to be observed, namely, because we attempt nothing which is not pleasing to him. For I consider the copula and, in the second clause of the verse, to be used instead of the causal particle because, and resolve the whole verse in this way: Because the way of the godly is acceptable to God, he directs their footsteps to a happy issue; so that the meaning is, As God sees that the faithful act conscientiously, and do not turn aside from the way which he has appointed, he blesses their efforts. And, certainly, since the prophet speaks generally — and yet it is certain that the faithful only are here spoken of — the second clause must necessarily be considered as spoken by way of exposition. Accordingly, the term way denotes their manner and course of living; as if he had said, that the godly have no other object in view but to frame their lives agreeably to the will of God, and to obey what he commands. The term footsteps I consider as referring to external success.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(23) The steps.Comp. Pro. 20:24; Pro. 16:9, passages which are in favour of a general interpretation here, not confined to the good man. Render, mans steps are established by Jehovah, i.e., all the stability in human conduct comes from His guidance.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
23. Steps of a good man The word “good” is not in the original, and the word “man” denotes a mighty man; one who by physical strength and skill, or by wealth, office, or position, wields a power over others. Even such a man is dependent on God to order his steps; that is, to establish, make firm, the successive processes of his unfolding schemes of life. The admonition lies against the self-trust and self-boasting of the prosperous wicked, and for the encouragement of faith. This sense is confirmed by the absence of the article, and by the parallel passages. Pro 16:9; Pro 20:24.
He delighteth in his way That is, when thus ordered conformably to his righteous character, and established by Jehovah.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
3). The Reward And Ways Of The Righteous Are Sure And Abiding (Mem to Pe – Psa 37:23-31 ).
The Psalmist goes on to point out God’s care for those who are truly His. All their ways are in His hands, and He upholds tham and keeps them and provides for them all that they need.
Psa 37:23-24
M ‘A man’s goings are established of YHWH,
And he delights in his way.
Though he fall, he will not be utterly cast down,
For YHWH upholds him with his hand.’
The ways of a righteous man (a true believer) are in the hands of YHWH, and God establishes all his goings. Indeed He delights in his way. He watches over him and cares for him, He strengthens him and upholds him, He has great joy of heart when His people walk in obedience to Him, and delights in their desire to do His will. And though sometimes they may stumble, and even fall, His promise is that they will never be utterly cast down. For He will uphold them with His hand. He will lift the fallen, carry His lambs in His arms, and gently lead His troubled and burdened sheep (Isa 40:11; compare Joh 10:27-28).
Alternately we may see it as ‘he (the believer) delights in His way’. The true Christian rejoices in all the ways of God. Both are of course true.
Psa 37:25-26
N ‘I have been young,
And now am old,
Yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken,
Nor his seed begging bread.’
All the day long he deals graciously, and lends,
And his seed is blessed.’
The Psalmist thinks back to his own experience, and what he has seen of life. And he declares that although he has lived long years, he has never seen the truly righteous forsaken by God, he has never seen their children begging bread. Rather the righteous have been able to deal bountifully with others, have been able to lend to them when they were in need, and his offspring, far from having to beg, have been blessed.
Of course, exceptional circumstances do arise in life when all without exception do go in hunger and experience the privations of life. War and natural disasters do not pick and choose. But His promise is that even in such times He will watch over His own and proved for them in accordance with their need, and many a Christian has experienced deliverance in such circumstances.
Psa 37:27-28
S ‘Depart from evil, and do good,
And dwell for evermore.
For YHWH loves justice,
And does not forsake his saints,
GH They are preserved for ever,
But the seed of the wicked will be cut off.
The righteous will inherit the land,
And dwell in it for ever.’
In response to God’s love for them, the Psalmist calls on believers, and indeed on all men, to depart from evil and do good, and God’s promise is that if they do so they will ‘dwell for evermore’. That is, they will enjoy long life and security through Him. The departure from evil and doing of good is necessary because God loves justice and righteousness, and the dwelling for evermore results because God never forsakes His ‘holy ones’ (saints, the true people of God). Rather He preserves them for ever. It is only the seed of the wicked which will be cut off. In contrast the righteous will inherit all God’s promises (as typified in ‘the land’) and will dwell in the place of His blessing for ever. Their everlasting future is certain.
Psa 37:30-31
P ‘The mouth of the righteous talks of wisdom,
And his tongue speaks justice.
The law of his God is in his heart,
None of his steps will slide.’
The Psalmist closes this section with a positive statement about those who truly love God and trust in His Name, describing the kind of people that they are. Their mouths speak wisdom (compare Pro 10:31), the true wisdom; their tongue speaks what is right and true. In their hearts they hold firm to God’s Instruction, and the result is that none of their steps will slide. These are promises and ideas that we must each one take for ourselves, and ensure that they are true of us. It is because of this that man will be judged by his ‘idle words’ (Mat 12:36). For those who are truly Christ’s speak words which are glorifying to Him, while those who are not soon reveal their folly in what they say.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
DISCOURSE: 565
GODS INTEREST IN HIS PEOPLE
Psa 37:23-24. The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord; and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand.
THAT Almighty God, the Creator of heaven and earth, should regard one rather than another amongst the sinners of mankind, appears incredible; and for any one to imagine himself to be amongst those who are pre-eminently favoured by him, would be judged a height of arrogance, to which scarcely any one of a sound mind could be supposed to have attained. But the Holy Scriptures are extremely clear, and full, and definite upon this point. God does condescend to notice with peculiar kindness those who walk uprightly before him: whilst he beholds with indignation and abhorrence those who, whether openly or in secret, rebel against him. To establish this is the great scope of this psalm, wherein the states of the godly and of the ungodly are contrasted with each other in this respect. From the words which I have just read, we shall necessarily be led to notice,
I.
The interest which God takes in his people
He orders their steps
[In the marginal translation it is said that a good mans steps are established by the Lord. The fact is, the Lord so orders them, that they may be established. The very first work of the Lord in his people, is, to bring them to Christ, and to establish them in Christ [Note: Joh 6:44; Joh 6:65 and 2Co 1:21.]. Till this is done, they never take any step that can effectually bring them to heaven When that is done, then they are enabled to walk in Christ [Note: Col 2:6.], and, by strength derived from him, to advance in righteousness and true holiness ]
He delights in their ways
[True, their ways are far from perfect: and, if God were to be extreme to mark what is done amiss, no man living could stand before him. But God looks rather at the principle from whence their actions proceed, and at the end for which they are done, than at the perfection of the actions themselves; and when he sees that their actions proceed from love, and are done for the glory of his name, he cannot but feel delight, both in the persons themselves, and in the works they perform; even as a parent delights in the services of a loving and duteous child, not considering so much the excellence of the act as the disposition manifested in the performance of it. On another ground, too, Jehovah delights in the ways of his people, namely, because they are the fruits of his Spirit working in them [Note: Gal 5:22-23.]. In this view there is not an act this they perform, which is not pleasing and acceptable in his sight [Note: Heb 13:16. 1Pe 3:4. Php 1:11.] ]
He upholds them with his hand
[Notwithstanding the grace given unto them, they are yet weak and frail, so that still in many things they offend [Note: Jam 3:2.]; and, if left to themselves, they would eternally perish. There is not a just man on earth that liveth and sinneth not [Note: Ecc 7:20.]. But in this the righteous differ from the wicked, that, notwithstanding they fall, yea, and fall seven times, they rise again; whilst the wicked, in their falls, are left to perish [Note: Pro 24:16.]. The Lord Jesus Christ has engaged for them that none shall ever pluck them out of his hands [Note: Joh 10:28-29.]. And this is fulfilled to every one of them, insomuch, that of those whom the Father in his everlasting covenant gave unto his Son, not one ever was, or shall be, lost [Note: Joh 17:12.]. They all, in their respective generations, are kept by the power of God through faith unto everlasting salvation [Note: 1Pe 1:5.] ]
These truths can never be abused, if we consider, on the other hand,
II.
What return he looks for at their hands
Doubtless it is God who alone can give men either to will or to do that which is good [Note: Php 2:13.]: but, as the Articles of our Church express it, He worketh in us, that we may will; and then worketh with us, when we have that good will. Though all good proceeds from him, yet he expects a reciprocity on our part.
1.
We must cheerfully obey his will
[We take no step by constraint. We are free agents in all that we do. True it is that God draws us; but he draws us, not as stocks and stones, but with the cords of a man, and with the bands of love [Note: Hos 11:4.]. If we would have our ways pleasing to God, we must seek to please him; and if we would have our steps ordered and established by him, we must consult his revealed will, and commit ourselves to the guidance of his Holy Spirit. He has promised, that, in circumstances of difficulty, we shall hear a word behind us, saying, This is the way; walk ye in it: when we should otherwise be turning to the right hand or to the left [Note: Isa 30:21.]: and this promise we must plead in prayer, until, by some way which God shall devise, we see, as it were, the pillar and the cloud going before us, and experience that direction which our necessities require ]
2.
We must simply depend on his care
[It is not in man that walketh to direct his steps. A little infant does not more need to be carried in its mothers arms than we need the continual support of God. But he promises that his everlasting arms shall be underneath us [Note: Deu 33:27.], and that we shall be carried as lambs in the bosom of our Lord [Note: Isa 40:11.]. But in order to this, we must renounce all confidence in our own powers, and say, In the Lord have I righteousness and strength [Note: Isa 45:24.]. If, like Peter, we depend on ourselves, we shall fall: but, if we cry habitually to him, Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe [Note: Psa 119:117.], we shall be strengthened with might by his Spirit in our inward man, and be enabled to do all things through Christ strengthening us [Note: Php 4:13.]. The weaker we are in ourselves, the stronger we shall be in him [Note: 2Co 12:10.]; and, though we be sifted by Satan with his utmost efforts [Note: Luk 22:31.], not so much as the smallest grain shall ever fall upon the earth [Note: Amo 9:9.]. For it is not the will of our Father that one of his little ones should perish [Note: Mat 18:14.].]
Address,
1.
The self-confident and secure
[Where do you find in the Holy Scriptures any one of these promises made to you? Where has God engaged to order your steps, or declared himself delighted with your ways? Or where has he assured you that your falls shall not be unto death? Not one word is there in all the inspired volume that can serve as a foundation of hope to you, whilst you are leaning to your own understanding, or depending on an arm of flesh. On the contrary, there is nothing but perdition denounced against you [Note: Jer 17:5-6.]. Beloved Brethren, do but contrast with your condition the states of Gods believing and obedient people; and you will see, that they alone are blessed, whose hearts are upright, and whose God is the Lord.]
2.
The fearful and disconsolate
[Many, under a sense of their great infirmities, are ready to fear, that, notwithstanding all that God has spoken for their encouragement, they shall come short at last. But, if only you really desire to please and serve God, see how full and suitable are the promises of God to you: Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee: yea, I will help thee: yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness [Note: Isa 41:10.]. Are you weak? God says, I will strengthen you. Are you apprehensive that nothing less than Omnipotence can administer sufficient aid? God adds, I will help you. Are you still alarmed because there is something yet left for you to do? God adds, I will take the whole matter into my own hands, and altogether uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness. Be strong, then, in faith, giving glory to God; and you shall not be ashamed or confounded, world without end.]
Fuente: Charles Simeon’s Horae Homileticae (Old and New Testaments)
Psa 37:23 The steps of a [good] man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.
Ver. 23. The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord ] Heb. The steps of a man; for good men only are reckoned of by God, Jer 5:1 . So a wife is put for a good wife, Pro 18:22 . A bad wife is but (according to Lamech’s second wife’s name) Zillah, that is, the shadow of a wife. Now, as God chose out the Israelites’ way for them all along the wilderness; so he doth still for those that are good, not always the shortest way, but the safest; not always the straightest way, but that which most conduceth to their journey’s end. As therefore Israel in the wilderness, so must we follow God, though he seem to lead us in and out, backward and forward, as if we were treading a maze.
And he delighteth in his way
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Psa 37:23-26
23The steps of a man are established by the Lord,
And He delights in his way.
24When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong,
Because the Lord is the One who holds his hand.
25I have been young and now I am old,
Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken
Or his descendants begging bread.
26All day long he is gracious and lends,
And his descendants are a blessing.
Psa 37:23-26 This strophe describes the faithful follower(s).
1. his/her steps are established by YHWH
2. YHWH delights in his/her way
3. when he/she falls
a. not hurled headlong (i.e., figurative of destruction)
b. because YHWH holds his/her hand (saints do falter from time to time but YHWH does not)
4. psalmist (with the experiences of a lifetime) has never seen the righteous forsaken
5. psalmist has never seen their descendants begging bread
6. he/she is gracious and lends
7. his/her descendants are a blessing
Psa 37:25 This is an OT perspective based on the Mosaic covenant (cf. Leviticus 26; Deuteronomy 27-30). This is not meant to be interpreted today that all poor and needy people can not be believers. The covenants have changed, see Contextual Insights D. For a good brief discussion of this verse, see Hard Sayings of the Bible, pp. 267-268.
Fuente: You Can Understand the Bible: Study Guide Commentary Series by Bob Utley
good man. Hebrew. geber. App-14. IV
ordered = prepared, or made firm.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Psa 37:23-28
Psa 37:23-28
BLESSINGS ENJOYED BY THE RIGHTEOUS
“A man’s goings are established of Jehovah;
And he delighteth in his way.
Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down;
For Jehovah upholdeth him with his hand.
I have been young, and now I am old;
Yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken,
Nor his seed begging bread.
All day long he dealeth graciously and lendeth;
And his seed is blessed.
Depart from evil, and do good;
And dwell forevermore.
For Jehovah loveth justice,
And forsaketh not his saints;
They are preserved forever:
But the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.”
“Though he fall … not utterly cast down” (Psa 37:24). Several of the lines here are echoed in the words of the apostle Paul who wrote: “Perplexed, yet not unto despair, pursued yet nor forsaken, smitten down, yet not destroyed” (2Co 4:9). Also, “Sorrowful, yet always rejoicing, as poor yet making many rich, as having nothing, yet possessing all things” (2Co 6:10).
“I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread” (Psa 37:25). The appearance of this personal testimony by David right in the heart of this psalm is quite unusual. In fact, Yates referred to it as “unique. Whether or not David intended this to be understood as an invariable law of God or not may be open to question; but many have accepted it as a valid promise, as did my own father. Also, Dr. DeHoff wrote; “I have traveled in many lands, and my own observation matches that of David.
E.M. Zerr:
Psa 37:23. Good is not in the original and should not be in the translation. The predestinarians teach that if a man is good it is because God decreed it that way before he was born, and that his own choice had nothing to do with it. They claim this verse teaches that theory. But God has ordered or pointed out the steps he wishes all men to take and has left it to them to make the choice or decision as to whether they will walk in that way. If they do, then they become good men. David understood this subject, for in ch. 119:133 he states that the steps are ordered through the word of God. When a man walks in the steps advised in the Word the Lord delighteth in his way according to the statement of the verse.
Psa 37:24. If a good man falls it will be through the human weakness and not any fault of the way ordered by the Lord. In that case he will be lifted up by the divine help. This is like the doctrine in 1Jn 1:7. It is not the man who never makes a mistake who will be saved, for there is no such a man. But the man who gets right up and “tries again” is the one whom the Lord will help.
Psa 37:25. Critics have tried to array this verse against the facts of life and against other parts of the Bible, but it is a strained application of the passage. Almost any rule has some exceptions, and the exception really emphasizes the rule. It should be noticed that the righteous were not forsaken, which is a stronger word than saying they had never been reduced or inconvenienced. A good man may have to endure some hardships, but the Lord will take care of him in the end. There is another thought that is overlooked. David did not profess to have seen everything that ever took place, he was only telling what he had not seen. We should be careful not to make a statement of scripture mean more than the writer intended.
Psa 37:26. This verse will shed some light on the preceding one. That same righteous .man is said to be lending to the less fortunate. To do that he would need to have more than his own life required, which indicates financial success. That would justify a reflection on the other verse, that the righteous man considered was the industrious one. Such a person would logically not need to go begging for bread when he had enough and to spare, so that he could supply the needs of others. In this connection the student should read Mat 6:33.
Psa 37:27. Forever means to the end of the age, and it is applied here to the span of life usually allotted to man. If he will follow the laws of God, to depart from evil and do good, he will have the assurance of the best things of life.
Psa 37:28. Judgment means justice or the rights belonging to upright persons. The saints of the Lord deserve his attention, and since He loves justice he will see that his people receive it. Preserved forever. They may suffer death at the hands of enemies, but their soul can no man touch to destroy; God will preserve it forever. Seed is used in the sense of fruit or product, and that which was brought about by the wicked shall be destroyed when the final lot of all actions is manifested.
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
steps: Psa 17:5, Psa 85:13, Psa 119:133, Psa 121:3, Psa 121:8, 1Sa 2:9, Job 23:11, Job 23:12, Pro 16:9, Jer 10:23
ordered: or, established, Psa 40:2, Pro 4:26
delighteth: Psa 147:10, Pro 11:1, Pro 11:20, Jer 9:24, Heb 13:16
Reciprocal: 1Sa 29:10 – General 2Ch 19:11 – the good Psa 7:9 – but Psa 18:19 – because Psa 25:10 – the paths Psa 25:12 – him Psa 37:31 – none Psa 66:9 – suffereth Psa 94:18 – My foot Pro 2:8 – and Pro 3:23 – General Pro 20:24 – Man’s Act 11:24 – he was 2Co 1:21 – stablisheth 1Pe 1:5 – kept
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Psa 37:23-24. The steps of a good man Hebrew, of man, namely, of the righteous, or blessed man, mentioned Psa 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, , vedarcho jechpats, he favoureth his way, that is, succeeds and prospers his counsels and enterprises. Though he fall Into distress or trouble, as Mic 7:8; he shall not be utterly cast down Not totally, or irrecoverably ruined.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
37:23 {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.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
3. The assurance of God’s care for the just 37:23-31
Fuente: Expository Notes of Dr. Constable (Old and New Testaments)
The Lord delights in how a good person lives, and He blesses his or her activities. Even though such a person may stumble as he goes through life, he will not experience a fatal fall from which he cannot rise.