Psalms 37:23 (GNV)

Passage

The pathes of man are directed by the Lord: for he loueth his way.

Nearby Context

Psalms 37:21 The wicked boroweth and payeth not againe. but the righteous is mercifull, and giueth.

Psalms 37:22 For such as be blessed of God, shall inherite the lande, and they that be cursed of him, shalbe cut off.

Psalms 37:23 The pathes of man are directed by the Lord: for he loueth his way.

Psalms 37:24 Though he fall, hee shall not be cast off: for the Lord putteth vnder his hand.

Psalms 37:25 I haue beene yong, and am olde: yet I sawe neuer the righteous forsaken, nor his seede begging bread.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "pathes", "directed", "lord", and "loueth". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "pathes" and "directed", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 22's "For such as be blessed of God..." into verse 24's "Though he fall hee shall not be...", so "pathes" and "directed" belong inside that flow. In Psalms context, the local focus is worship, trust, the LORD's kingship, and covenant mercy.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "pathes" and "directed" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.