2 Samuel 22:37 kjv
Thou hast enlarged my steps under me; so that my feet did not slip.
2 Samuel 22:37 nkjv
You enlarged my path under me; So my feet did not slip.
2 Samuel 22:37 niv
You provide a broad path for my feet, so that my ankles do not give way.
2 Samuel 22:37 esv
You gave a wide place for my steps under me, and my feet did not slip;
2 Samuel 22:37 nlt
You have made a wide path for my feet
to keep them from slipping.
2 Samuel 22 37 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ps 18:36 | "You enlarge my steps beneath me..." | Direct parallel, God provides stable path |
| Ps 37:23-24 | "The LORD makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he... will not fall..." | God establishes and upholds the righteous |
| Prov 4:12 | "When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble." | Divine wisdom guides steps, preventing harm |
| Ps 116:8 | "For you have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling." | God delivers from dangers, securing feet |
| Ps 40:2 | "He lifted me out of the slimy pit... he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand." | God establishes on a solid foundation |
| Ps 31:8 | "You have not given me into the hand of the enemy but have set my feet in a spacious place." | God grants freedom and security from adversaries |
| Ps 119:105 | "Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path." | God's word illuminates path, prevents falling |
| Prov 16:9 | "In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps." | God's sovereignty directs human plans |
| Jer 10:23 | "LORD, I know that people’s lives are not their own; it is not for them to direct their steps." | Man's inability to direct own steps |
| Isa 45:2 | "I will go before you and will level the mountains; I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron." | God removes obstacles for His chosen one |
| Deut 33:27 | "The eternal God is your dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms." | God's everlasting support beneath |
| 1 Sam 2:9 | "He will guard the feet of his faithful servants..." | God protects those loyal to Him |
| Hab 3:19 | "The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights." | God gives strength to navigate difficult paths |
| Jude 1:24 | "To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy..." | God's power preserves believers from error |
| Heb 12:13 | "Make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed." | Christians to walk in uprightness |
| 1 Pet 5:10 | "And the God of all grace... will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast." | God strengthens against adversity |
| Rom 14:4 | "Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be made to stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand." | God enables His servants to remain steadfast |
| Php 4:13 | "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." | Divine empowerment for all tasks |
| Col 1:22-23 | "...to present you holy in his sight... if you continue in your faith, established and firm..." | Steadfastness in faith for salvation |
| 1 Cor 10:13 | "...God is faithful, who will not permit you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but will also provide the way of escape..." | God provides a way to avoid sin/failure |
| Deut 8:4 | "...Your clothing did not wear out on you, nor did your foot swell these forty years." | God preserves even the feet during journey |
| 2 Sam 22:33 | "God is my strong fortress; he makes my way perfect." | God provides security and perfected path |
| Ps 121:3 | "He will not let your foot slip..." | God's watchfulness prevents slipping |
2 Samuel 22 verses
2 Samuel 22 37 Meaning
2 Samuel 22:37 is a profound declaration of God's active role in ensuring stability and progress in David's life. The verse conveys that the Almighty provides ample space and a firm foundation for David's "steps" or life's journey, thus preventing any hindrance or fall. It speaks to divine enablement, removing obstacles and creating secure paths, which results in unwavering forward movement and steadfastness against potential stumbling. This security applies to both the literal physical battles and the overall course of David's reign and personal walk with God.
2 Samuel 22 37 Context
2 Samuel chapter 22 is David's triumphant song of praise and thanksgiving to the Lord for delivering him from all his enemies, especially from the hand of Saul. This chapter is nearly identical to Psalm 18, reflecting a significant moment in David's life following his establishment as king over all Israel and the suppression of all major threats. The song is a declaration of God's might and faithfulness as David's rescuer, fortress, and provider.
Within this broader context, verse 37 appears in a section (verses 30-46) that details God's equipping and empowering of David for warfare and for his role as king. It emphasizes that David's military victories and stability are not due to his own strength or ingenuity, but solely to the divine power and guidance of the Lord. The verses leading up to 37 speak of God making David's way perfect, girding him with strength, making his feet like the feet of deer, and setting him on high places, all highlighting supernatural assistance in his path and endeavors.
The verse also implicitly carries a polemic against reliance on human strength, military prowess, or false gods for security, common in the ancient Near East. David attributes all his stability and success directly to YHWH.
2 Samuel 22 37 Word analysis
- You enlarge (הִרְחַ֖בְתָּ – hirchavta): Derived from the Hebrew root rachav (רחב), meaning "to be wide," "to be roomy," or "to make ample." This verb is in the Hiphil stem, indicating a causative action – God causes David's steps to be spacious. It signifies God removing constraints, expanding opportunities, and creating clear, open paths. It speaks of divine intervention that clears the way, making what was narrow, difficult, or entrapping into a path of ease and freedom.
- my steps (צַעֲדִ֖י – tza'adi): This is the plural form of tza'ad (צעד), meaning "step," "footstep," or "pace." It represents David's entire course of life, his journey, actions, and progress. It encompasses his physical movements, military campaigns, and administrative duties as king. The "enlarging" of these steps signifies God providing unfettered movement and success in every sphere of life.
- under me (תַּחְתָּ֑י – tachtay): This preposition means "under," "beneath," or "instead of." Here, it highlights that God creates the wide and stable path beneath David's feet, indicating a firm and secure foundation directly provided by divine power. It’s not David's own cleverness in choosing a path, but God's work in ensuring the very ground he treads upon is made firm and spacious.
- so my feet (וְלֹא־ מָֽעֲד֥וּ רַגְלָֽי – velo ma'adu raglay): This translates literally as "and not slip my feet." The "so" introduces the consequence or desired outcome of God's enlarging action.
- will not slip (מָֽעֲד֥וּ – ma'adu): From the Hebrew root ma'ad (מעד), meaning "to totter," "to waver," "to stumble," or "to fall." This term signifies instability or losing one's footing, leading to a fall. The negation "will not slip" means divine prevention of failure, error, or catastrophe. God ensures steadiness and unwavering progress.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- You enlarge my steps under me: This phrase vividly paints a picture of God's active, pre-emptive work. He clears the way and broadens David's path, removing obstructions that would normally hinder movement. This divine action directly underpins David's life journey, ensuring that his path is not restricted or perilous, but wide open for advancement and security. It underscores divine provision for stability and liberty in action.
- so my feet will not slip: This is the blessed consequence and assurance resulting from God's work. Because God has made the path spacious and secure, David's footing remains firm. It signifies perfect stability, preventing any stumbling, falling, or faltering, whether physically in battle or metaphorically in his walk of faith and governance. This points to the absolute reliability of God's support.
2 Samuel 22 37 Bonus section
The nearly identical wording of 2 Samuel 22:37 with Psalm 18:36 reinforces the timeless nature and poetic quality of David's expression of praise. This demonstrates the spiritual discipline of remembrance and thanksgiving for divine intervention throughout one's life. The metaphor of a widened path is common in scripture to signify freedom and blessings, contrasting with the narrow, constrained paths that represent distress or judgment. David's experience is a model of dependence upon God, rather than self-reliance. This divine assistance is not just for grand, heroic deeds but ensures stability in the 'daily walk,' preventing subtle stumbles that can lead to greater falls.
2 Samuel 22 37 Commentary
2 Samuel 22:37 profoundly asserts God's ultimate sovereignty and benevolent provision for those He upholds. It speaks to more than just physical movement; it encompasses the entire life's journey, filled with challenges and warfare for King David. By "enlarging" his steps, God metaphorically cleared obstacles, expanded possibilities, and provided unhindered advancement in all his undertakings, from military victories to maintaining peace within the kingdom. The direct consequence of this divine intervention—"so my feet will not slip"—highlights perfect security and unwavering steadfastness in David's life. This was not a result of David's own wisdom or strength, but God's active enabling presence and a constant foundation provided beneath him. This truth encourages believers today: God orchestrates their paths, removes hindrances, and secures their footing, ensuring that they can move forward steadfastly in their calling and spiritual journey without faltering in ultimate defeat. It is a promise of divine maintenance and unwavering support in both spiritual and practical living.