The Meaning of Psalms 37:23 Explained

Psalms 37:23

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

YLT: From Jehovah are the steps of a man, They have been prepared, And his way he desireth.

Darby: The steps of a man are established by Jehovah, and he delighteth in his way:

ASV: A man's goings are established of Jehovah; And he delighteth in his way.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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

What does Psalms 37:23 Mean?

Context Summary

Psalms 37:18-29 - Ways That God Establishes
God takes pleasure in our lives. In each He is working out a plan. Even our failures do not turn Him away from us, for He keeps fast hold of our hands, Psalms 37:24, r.v., margin. Long after His people have passed home, God sees to their children. If they follow in their parents' ways, they are borne along in the stream of providential care; but obviously they may depart from it. What precious promises in Psalms 37:28; Psalms 37:31; Psalms 37:33; Psalms 37:37; Psalms 37:39-40! Never forsaken! Always sure of an Advocate in the Divine Presence! Not left to the mercy of our foes! Safely housed in the time of need! Dying in peace! Such are the blessings which accrue to the servant of God. Such has been the observation of one no longer young, Psalms 37:25.
When taunted, persecuted, maligned, desperate, go into a silent place and lift your tear-stained face to Him. He understands the unspoken language of sighs and tears. Do not hurry Him; He has ages to work in. Wait patiently and rest. [source]

Chapter Summary: Psalms 37

1  David persuades to patience and confidence in God,
12  by the different estate of the godly and the wicked

What do the individual words in Psalms 37:23 mean?

By Yahweh the steps of a [good] man are ordered and in his way He delights
מֵ֭יְהוָה מִֽצְעֲדֵי־ גֶ֥בֶר כּוֹנָ֗נוּ וְדַרְכּ֥וֹ יֶחְפָּֽץ

מֵ֭יְהוָה  By  Yahweh 
Parse: Preposition-m, Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יהוה 
Sense: the proper name of the one true God.
מִֽצְעֲדֵי־  the  steps 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural construct
Root: מִצְעָד  
Sense: step.
גֶ֥בֶר  of  a  [good]  man 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: גֶּבֶר  
Sense: man, strong man, warrior (emphasising strength or ability to fight).
כּוֹנָ֗נוּ  are  ordered 
Parse: Verb, Pual, Perfect, third person common plural
Root: כּוּן 
Sense: to be firm, be stable, be established.
וְדַרְכּ֥וֹ  and  in  his  way 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, common singular construct, third person masculine singular
Root: דֶּרֶךְ  
Sense: way, road, distance, journey, manner.
יֶחְפָּֽץ  He  delights 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: חָפֵץ 
Sense: to delight in, take pleasure in, desire, be pleased with.