(Ps 37:23-24) Translation Discussion: "Good Man" vs "man"
The KJV is a special translation for all of us. For many it is the translation that the foundations of our Faith in Christ was laid. Many passages are quotable and familiar from this version. It is often considered a strict word for word translation, but an honest answer is that even the KJV at times makes it easier for us to understand the meaning of a passage.
23 The steps of a man are established by the LORD,
and he delights in his way.
Why does the KJV include the word “good”?
In verses 23 and 24 the psalmist elaborates on the point that the righteous are secure in the LORD. Their steps are established (כּוֹנָנוּ) by the LORD, and (or when) he delights [in] his way. The image indicates that all his activities are made secure and certain; and they are righteous activities because he delights in the LORD’s way, meaning he does righteousness. Even if he falls, perhaps with the sin of envy, or perhaps under the attack of the evil-doers, he will not be cast headlong (יוּטָל). All the images (ways, falling, and being cast headlong) are implied comparisons for the experiences of living: if he gets into difficulties over the evil-doers’ attacks, his troubles will not be fatal. This is because the LORD upholds him (סוֹמֵךְ as in v. 17) by the hand (see Prov. 20:24; 16:9).
C. The Lord loves and blesses the just (37:23–31)
37:23–31. In contrast with the retribution for the wicked, the psalmist delineated the blessings of the Lord for the righteous: (1) The LORD establishes and protects the ways of the righteous (vv. 23–24). (2) The Lord provides food for them (vv. 25–26). (3) He loves and protects the just who do good (cf. v. 3), giving them security in the land (vv. 27–29; cf. vv. 9, 11, 22, 34). (4) The righteous person speaks wisdom because the Law of … God is in his heart (vv. 30–31).
ל (37:21–22). See also Prov 3:33. The contrast here is between takers and givers, the perpetual takers being cursed and the constant givers being blessed. The language of the proverb recalls the blessing and curse section of the Hebrew covenant: cf. Deut 28:12 and 28:44.
מ (37:23–24). See also Prov 24:16. The latter part of the proverb expresses succinctly the nature of divine support and protection. The righteous retain their humanity and still may fall in the walk of life; the divine hand ensures that the fall will not be so grave as to prohibit them from ever rising again and continuing to walk life’s road.