(Ps 37:23-24) Translation Discussion: "Good Man" vs "man"

Ps 37

Psalm 37:23 ESV

23 The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way;

Psalm 37:23 KJV 1900

23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: And he delighteth in his way.

Psalm 37:23 KEL Ps

23 The steps of a man are established by the LORD, and he delights in his way.

A Commentary on the Psalms 1–89, Volumes 1 & 2: Text Psalm 37

23  The steps of a man are established by the LORD,

and he delights in his way.

Translations: KJV “good” vs ESV, NASB, NKJV, NET “man”. Allen Ross and WBC agree with the the absence of “good”.

*Italicized in KJV/NKJV

*Italicized in KJV/NKJV

Textual Evidence: BHS, LHB, LXX do not show the use of “good” (טוֹב) or any similar synonym. Lexham Textual Notes does not include any textual notes on this verse. The variation in translation is not a textual difference.

Why does the KJV include the word “good”?

Translations: KJV “good” vs ESV, NASB, NKJV, NET “man”

*Italicized in KJV/NKJV

In fact, the words in italics in the King James Bible are words that were added by the translators to help the reader. This is usually necessary when translating from one language to another because a word in one language may not have a corollary word in English and idiomatic expressions often do not easily move from one language to another. Hence, the words in italics are words which do not have any equivalence in the Hebrew, Aramaic or Greek text. By adding these words, the translators’ goal was to make the meaning of the sentence clearer and produce a more readable translation that read smoothly, yet was true to the original. However, to make sure that the reader understood that these words were not in the manuscripts, they set them in italics. (King James Bible Research Council)

[https://kjbrc.org/the-use-of-italics-in-the-king-james-bible/]

**** Reminder, ACROSTIC***********

A Commentary on the Psalms 1–89, Volumes 1 & 2: Commentary Commentary in Expository Form

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).

The Bible Knowledge Commentary C. The Lord Loves and Blesses the Just (37:23–31)

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).

Word Biblical Commentary, Volume 19: Psalms 1–50 (Revised Edition) Comment

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.

Summary:

is emphasizing that a man who delights in the Lord’s way (good, righteous man) will have his steps firmly established by the Lord. Most translators follow a strict word for word translation. But KJV has chosen to add a the word “good” to clarify the meaning of the text and marked this translation decision by italics.