Sometimes when you’re reading the Bible a word, a phase, or a verse can stop you and make you think. This happened to me recently with the second half a Psalm 37:23:
The steps of a man are established by the LORD, And He delights in his way.
He delights in his way. If you look at the capitalization, it means it is God who delights in man’s way. To personalize that, God delights in my way. I have the word “delights” italicized and bolded because that is where the little, itty, bitty letter “b” was, which told me if I looked in the center column of my Bible I could find other verses that might further expose this concept of God delighting in man.
The single verse by my little letter “b” lead to a verse that talked about God favoring those who fear Him, and the little letter by “favor” lead me to another verse that talked about God “takes pleasure” in His people. After I traced out a few more verses, I went online and found access to an Interlinear Bible which allowed me to look at the Hebrew meanings for various words. The following is the scriptural trail, with the word that leads to the next verse bolded and italicized, along with the Hebrew meaning for some of the words in brackets, starting with Psalm 37:23.
The steps of a man are established {to be firm, be stable, be established} by the LORD, And He delights {to delight in, take pleasure in, desire, be pleased with} in his way {way, road, distance, journey, manner}.
Psalm 37:23
The LORD favors {to be pleased with, be favourable to, accept favorably} those who fear {to fear, reverence, honour, respect} Him, Those who wait {to wait, hope, expect} for His lovingkindness {goodness, kindness, faithfulness}.
Psalm 147:11
For the LORD takes pleasure {to be pleased with, be favourable to, accept favorably} in His people ; He will beautify the afflicted ones with salvation {salvation, deliverance, welfare, prosperity, victory}.
Psalm 149:4
If they hear and serve Him, They will end their days in prosperity And their years in pleasures.
Job 36:11
You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.
Psalm 16:11
These verses communicate that God enjoys being an active part in the lives of those who choose to honor Him. That He does care and will help. And this last verse, sums up what our response should be.
Let them shout for joy and rejoice, who favor {desiring, delighting in, having pleasure in} my vindication {justice, rightness, righteousness}; And let them say continually, “The LORD be magnified, Who delights {desiring, delighting in, having pleasure in} in the prosperity {completeness, soundness, welfare, peace} of His servant.”
Psalm 35:27
To me that last verse kinda says I testify God is good…
Do any of these verses say anything to you? Your thoughts are welcomed.
(All scriptures are from the New American Standard Bible, and you can find the study tools at www.biblestudytools.com)
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Thanks for this post. It’s tough to wait on Him, but it shows how much we really trust Him. And he favors that.
Thanks for the uplifting words. It is nice to be reminded that God is good and He cares about being a part of my daily life. I want to always be reminded to shout His goodness and show His love to others.
God is good! I watched a mircle in the making, and I will never forget it. A young man was very heavy into drugs…both using and selling…anything he could get his hands on. I thought he would never live to see his 25th birthday. Today, some 20 years later, he is a minister…preaching the words of our Lord! Thank you, Lord, for blessing my eyes with the ability to watch this mircle unfold, step by step. My God is an Awesome God!