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In Psalm 37:23, what does "he delighteth in his way" mean?

 Does it mean the God is satisfied with the good man's life, or does it mean that a good man willingly accepts the Lord's guidance?


Psalm 37:23-25 King James Version (KJV)

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

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

25 I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.

Psalms 37:23

ESV - 23 The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way.

Clarify Share Report Asked June 24 2020 My picture Jack Gutknecht Supporter

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Mini Tim Maas Supporter Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army
It appears that the consensus of opinion among the translators or interpreters of this verse (including those found on the website http://www.biblehub.com) is that the phrase "he delighteth in his way" is referring to the delight that God takes in the good man's conduct, rather than to the good man delighting in God's ordering of his steps.

June 24 2020 2 responses Vote Up Share Report


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My picture Jack Gutknecht Supporter ABC/DTS graduate, guitar music ministry Baptist church
I think it refers to the good man's delighting in the Lord's guidance because of Proverbs 10:29, which occurs in a context parallel to this Psalm. Cp. Psalm 37:34; Psalm 119:35. That last verse says this, Ps 119:35 "Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it."

However, there is, as Tim said, a consensus of opinion to the contrary:

Indeed, “The LORD directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives” (Psalm 37:23, NLT).

June 27 2020 1 response Vote Up Share Report


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