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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 37:21-33

These verses are much to the same purport with the Ps. 37:1-20 of this psalm, for it is a subject worthy to be dwelt upon. Observe here, I. What is required of us as the way to our happiness, which we may learn both from the characters here laid down and from the directions here given. If we would be blessed of God, 1. We must make conscience of giving every body his own; for the wicked borrows and pays not again, Ps. 37:21. It is the first thing which the Lord our God requires of us, that we... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 37:23

The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord ,.... Or "of a man" F23 גבר "hominis", Pagninus, Montanus, &c.; ; 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... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 37:24

Though he fall ,.... Into temptation, and by it into sins, and these very great ones; from a lively and comfortable exercise of grace, and a degree of steadfastness in the doctrine of grace: he shall not be utterly cast down ; because he is in the arms of everlasting love, and in the hands of Christ Jesus; is on him as the sure foundation, and is kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation, and so shall not perish, but have everlasting life; for the Lord upholdeth him with ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 37:25

I have been young, and now am old ,.... The psalmist makes mention of his age, which takes in the whole compass of his life, to command attention to what he was about to say; which was founded upon a long experience and observation of things, and was as follows; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken ; though afflicted of God, and persecuted by men, yet not forsaken; though poor and needy, and often in necessitous circumstances, yet God in his providence appeared for them in one... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 37:23

The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord - There is nothing for good in the text. גבר 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... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 37:24

Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down - The original is short and emphatic יוטל לא יפל כי ki yippol , read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 37:25

I have been young, and now am old - I believe this to be literally true in all cases. I am now grey-headed myself; I have traveled in different countries, and have had many opportunities of seeing and conversing with religious people in all situations in life; and I have not, to my knowledge, seen one instance to the contrary. I have seen no righteous man forsaken, nor any children of the righteous begging their bread. God puts this honor upon all that fear him; and thus careful is he of... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 37:23

Verse 23 23The 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... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 37:24

Verse 24 24Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down This verse has generally been interpreted proverbially, and as meaning, that though the righteous may fall into sin, his fall is not deadly; but this is not at all in accordance with the design of the prophet, who is discoursing of the happiness of the godly. The simple meaning is, that when God visits his servants with severe afflictions, he at the same time mitigates them that they may not faint under them; (40) as Paul declares, ... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 37:25

Verse 25 25I have been young, I am also become old. The meaning of these words is not in the least doubtful, namely, that David, even when he was become an old man, had not seen any of the righteous, or any of their children, begging their bread. But here there arises a question of some difficulty with respect to the fact stated; for it is certain that many righteous men have been reduced to beggary. And what David here declares as the result of his own experience pertains to all ages. Besides,... read more

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