Psalm 37:31 - Printer Friendly

ESV: The law of his God is in his heart; his steps do not slip.

NIV: The law of their God is in their hearts; their feet do not slip.

NASB: The Law of his God is in his heart; His steps do not slip.

CSB: The instruction of his God is in his heart; his steps do not falter.

NLT: They have made God’s law their own, so they will never slip from his path.

KJV: The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide.

NKJV: The law of his God is in his heart; None of his steps shall slide.

In this verse David tells us why the mouth of the righteous utters wisdom (Psalm 37:30). Those who are truly righteous have the Word of God in their heart. Jesus said that "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks" (Matthew 12:34). If we give God's Word a heartfelt welcome, it will produce wisdom. What we say and what we do will be controlled by wisdom (Psalm 119:9–16, 104, 129–130).

When God commissioned Joshua to lead the Hebrews into Canaan, He told him to meditate on the Book of the Law day and night and to "be careful to do according to all that is written in it" (Joshua 1:8). He promised Joshua: "For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success."

Psalm 1:2–3 employs the analogy of a fruitful tree to describe the person who delights in God's Word and meditates on it day and night. Love for the Word makes a person like a well-watered tree "that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers."

Psalm 37:21–31 points out the blessings of the righteous. David describes not only their blessings but also their character and conduct. The Lord blesses the righteous with the promise of an inheritance, personal guidance, protection, provision, a good posterity, and His presence.

In this psalm, David contrasts the way God protects and saves His people, contrasted with the ruin which awaits the wicked. Much of this seems to be based on David's own experiences (Psalm 37:25, 35). As with many other passages in Psalms and Proverbs, this passage encourages godly wisdom. Those who reject God and His ways can expect uncertainty on earth and disaster in eternity.

Psalm 37 lies in the first division of Psalms and addresses mankind. Its tone resembles that of the book of Proverbs. The psalm dispenses wisdom about the security of the righteous man and the insecurity and fate of the wicked man. Psalms 36 and 39 also describe the insecurity and fate of the wicked. The covenant God made with Israel in Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 27—30 is the basis for David's assurance that the righteous are secure. The issue of the prosperity of the wicked is also featured in Psalms 49 and 73. David most likely wrote Psalm 37 in his old age.

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.

Accessed 5/7/2024 12:01:04 PM