Psalms 37:31 — Word Study
WLCתּוֹרַ֣ת אֱלֹהָ֣יו בְּלִבּ֑וֹ לֹ֖א תִמְעַ֣ד אֲשֻׁרָיו׃
BSAThe lawtôwrâh [instruction, divine guidance] of his Godʼĕlôhîym [Elohim, the one supreme God] is in his heartlêb [the center of feelings, will, and intellect] his stepsʼâshur [the act of walking, progress] do notlôʼ [absolutely not, under no circumstances] faltermâʻad▸ [to slip, waver, or slide]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| תּוֹרַ֣ת | [the] law of | Noun common, feminine singular construct |
| אֱלֹהָ֣יו | God his | Noun common masculine plural construct, suffix |
| בְּלִבּ֑וֹ | [is] in heart his | Preposition, noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| לֹ֖א | not | Particle |
| תִמְעַ֣ד | it slips | Verb, Qal, imperfect third person feminine singular |
| אֲשֻׁרָיו׃ | steps his | Noun common masculine plural construct, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | The law of his God is in his heart; his steps do not falter. |
| KJV | The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide. |
| ASV | The law of his God is in his heart; None of his steps shall slide. |
| YLT | The law of his God [is] his heart, His steps do not slide. |
| WEB | The law of his God is in his heart. None of his steps shall slide. |
| BBE | The law of his God is in his heart; he will never make a false step. |
The translations agree on the internalization of God's law and its impact on the righteous person's stability.
The structure consists of a main clause followed by a prepositional phrase and a negative clause, emphasizing the connection between God's law and the stability of the righteous.
7 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbמָעַד
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Psalms 37:31
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — The Assurance of the Righteousgenerated
Psalm 37:31 emphasizes the importance of internalizing God's law, which provides guidance and stability. The surrounding verses discuss the contrast between the righteous and the wicked, illustrating how the righteous are sustained by their commitment to God's ways, while the wicked face judgment. This theme of divine guidance and moral integrity is echoed throughout the psalm, reinforcing the idea that true righteousness is rooted in a deep relationship with God.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 1:2 | But his delight is in the Law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night. |
| 2 | Psalm 40:3–8 | He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD. |
| 3 | Psalm 119:11–98 | I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You. |
| 4 | Deuteronomy 6:6 | These words I am commanding you today are to be upon your hearts. |
| 5 | Deuteronomy 11:18–20 | Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as reminders on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 18 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — תּוֹרַ֣ת, to.Ratgenerated
The word תּוֹרָה (to.Rah) refers to instruction or law, particularly the divine guidance found in the Torah, which includes the first five books of the Bible. It embodies the moral and ethical framework that directs human behavior and is central to the covenant relationship between God and His people.
In this verse, it signifies that the law of God is not merely external but is internalized within the heart, indicating a profound connection between the individual and God's will. This internalization influences the person's thoughts and actions, ensuring that they align with divine principles.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
All translations agree that the law of God is central to the heart of the righteous, emphasizing the internalization of divine guidance.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb in this verse is תִמְעַ֣ד, it slips, which governs the subject and the prepositional phrase that describes the state of the heart and the steps. The structure highlights the relationship between the internalization of God's law and the resultant stability in one's actions.
The sentence flows from the subject, תּוֹרַ֣ת אֱלֹהָ֣יו (the law of his God), to the predicate, emphasizing the importance of the heart as the center of one's moral and spiritual life.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, תּוֹרַ֣ת is translated as νόμος (nomos), meaning 'law.' This choice aligns with the Hebrew concept of divine instruction but may carry a broader connotation of legal authority in Greek.
The translation reflects the understanding that God's law is foundational for moral guidance, resonating with the original Hebrew meaning while adapting to the Greek context.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 37:31 teaches that the law of God is deeply embedded in the heart of the righteous, guiding their actions and ensuring they do not stumble. This verse highlights the importance of internalizing God's instructions for a stable and righteous life.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It means that God's teachings and commandments are internalized and influence the person's thoughts, feelings, and actions.
The verse assures that those who follow God's law will have their steps guided and will not falter, indicating a secure path in life.
The heart represents the center of a person's emotions, will, and intellect, indicating that true obedience to God's law comes from within.
By studying and internalizing God's teachings, one can ensure that their actions align with His will, leading to a stable and righteous life.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways can I internalize God's law in my own life?
- How does understanding God's guidance impact my decision-making?
- What steps can I take to ensure my heart remains aligned with God's will?
- How can I encourage others to find stability through God's teachings?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
The early Church Fathers referenced this verse to discuss the internalization of God's law in the lives of the righteous, emphasizing its importance for moral integrity.
Justice is still described and increased in form, as the Scripture says: The law of God is in his heart, and his steps will not be supplanted. In the heart of the righteous is the law of God.Early Church Fathers on Psalms 37 →
"The law of his God is in his heart" [Psalms 37:31]. Lest haply you should think him to have that on his lips, which he has not in his heart,Early Church Fathers on Psalms 37 →
It is fitting, the psalmist says, to carry around the divine sayings both on one’s tongue and in one’s mind and constantly give attention to them;Early Church Fathers on Psalms 37 →
Commentators on this verse — 7 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 37:31 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleThe law of his God [is] in his heart,.... Which may be understood of the moral law, which was written in the heart of Adam an his creation, and continued there during his state of innocence, but was
Read John Gill on Psalms 37 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryThe mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment. The mouth ... and his tongue ... judgment. The law ... his heart ... shall slide.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 37 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleAccording to God’ s command, , and promise, . His thoughts, and meditations, and affections are fixed upon it. He doth not talk religiously in design, or with ostentation, but out of the abundance of his heart, . None of his steps shall slide: this passage describes either, 1. His safety, consequent upon his piety; God will uphold and preserve him from falling into that mischief which wicked men plot against him. Or rather, 2. His virtue or piety; which is evidenced by his words, , by his heart, in the former part of this verse, and by his actions, in these words. His steps or goings (i.e. his actions) shall not (or rather, do not; for this verb, though future, may and should be rendered by…
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 37 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 37:31 The law of his God [is] in his heart; none of his steps shall slide.Ver. 31. The law of his God is in his heart] He hath a Bible in his head and another in his heart; he hath a good treasure within, and there hence bringeth good things; he speaketh not by rote, and as a bungler, or as a philosopher only; but by proof, and as one that can say, I believed, I have felt it, and therefore have I spoken. None of his steps shall slide] How should they, when they walk so exactly, and by such a rule? Jeremiah holding to it, durst say, Lord, if I am deceived, thou hast deceived me.
Read John Trapp on Psalms 37 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 31. The law of his God is in his heart] The Lord promised that a time should come in which he would make a new covenant with the house of Israel; he would put his laws in their minds, and in their hearts he would write them. This is fulfilled in the case above. None of his steps shall slide.] His holy heart always dictates to his eyes, his mouth, his hands, and his feet. The precepts which direct his conduct are not only written in his Bible, but also in his heart.
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 37 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges31. Cp. Psalms 119:11. God’s law, treasured in his heart, regulates all his conduct. Without wavering or variation he pursues the path of right. Cp. Psalms 26:1; Psalms 73:2.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 37 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleThe law of his God is in his heart - That is, he loves it; he thinks of it; he makes it the inward rule of his conduct: Deuteronomy 6:6; Psalms 40:8 The word “law” here is a general term for the
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 37 →The verse in English, compared — 16 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
The law of his God is in his heart; his steps do not falter.
The law of his God is in his heart. None of his steps shall slide.
The law of his God is in his heart; his steps do not falter.
The law of their God controls their thinking; their feet do not slip.
Tyndale line
The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide.
The law of his God is in his heart; None of his steps shall slide.
The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide.
The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide.
For the Lawe of his God is in his heart, and his steppes shall not slide.
Strictly literal
the law of his God is in his heart; his goings shall not slide.
The law of his God [is] his heart, His steps do not slide.
The law of his God [is] his heart, || His steps do not slide.
The law of his God is in his heart: none of his steps shall slip.
The law of his God is in his heart; his feet will not slip.
Simplified
God's law lives in their minds, so they will not slip from his way.
The law of his God is in his heart; he will never make a false step.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint agree on the wording of Psalm 37:31, with all six words matched. This consistency indicates a strong preservation of the text across these ancient witnesses.
תּוֹרַ֣ת אֱלֹהָ֣יו בְּלִבּ֑וֹ לֹ֖א תִמְעַ֣ד אֲשֻׁרָיו׃
6 of the 6 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Psalms 37:31
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
תּוֹרָה (towrah) encompasses concepts of direction, instruction, and law, particularly relating to divine or human guidance. It refers to legal directives, customs, and teachings, including the Decalogue and the Pentateuch. The entries highlight its use in various contexts, such as prophetic and priestly instruction, but do not present significant disagreement among lexicons.
תּוֹרָה n.f. direction, instruction, law
instruction
law (prop. direction)
custom, manner
base
H8451 תּוֹרָה direction, instruction, law . instruction
. law (prop. direction)
. custom, manner
8451 towrah to-raw'
or torah {to-raw'}; from 3384; a precept or statute,
especially the Decalogue or Pentateuch:--law.
see HEBREW for 03384
תּוֹרָה (to.rah) — instruction.
1) law, direction, instruction
1a) instruction, direction (human or divine)
1a1) body of prophetic teaching
1a2) instruction in Messianic age
1a3) body of priestly direction or instruction
1a4) body of legal directives
1b) law
1b1) law of the burnt offering
1b2) of special law, codes of law
1c) custom, manner
1d) the Deuteronomic or Mosaic Law
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular constructHNcfsc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
אֱלֹהִים (elohiym) is a plural noun meaning 'gods' or 'God,' often referring to the supreme deity in the Old Testament. It encompasses divine beings, rulers, and judges, reflecting divine majesty and power. The term can also denote angels and is used in a superlative sense. Notably, it is sometimes combined with יהוה (YHWH), the personal name of God.
אֱלֹהִים 2570 n.m.pl.
pl. in number.
rulers, judges, either as divine representatives at sacred places or as reflecting divine majesty and power
divine ones, superhuman beings including God and angels
angels
gods
pl. intensive
god or goddess
godlike one
works of God, or things belongng to him
God
הָאֱלֹהִים the (true) God
אֱלֹהִים = God
base
H430 אֱלֹהִים n. m. pl. . pl. in number. . rulers, judges, either asdivine representatives at sacred places or as reflecting divine majesty and power
. divine ones, superhuman beings including God and angels
. angels
. gods
. pl. intensive . god or goddess
. godlike one
. works of God, or things belongng to him
. God
. הָאֱלֹהִים the (true) God
. אֱלֹהִים = God
430 'elohiym el-o-heem'
plural of 433; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically
used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the
supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to
magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative:--angels, X
exceeding, God (gods)(-dess, -ly), X (very) great, judges, X
mighty.
see HEBREW for 0433
אֱלֹהִים (e.lo.him) — God.
This name means "gods" (plural intensive-singular meaning), "God"
Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)
אֱלֹהִים (e.lo.him) — (LORD)-Elohe.
Combined with ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068)
אֱלֹהִים (e.lo.him) — (Gibeath)-elohim.
Combined with giv.ah (גִּבְעָה "Gibeath" H1389)
N-mp | Suff — Noun common masculine plural construct · suffixHNcmpc/Sp3ms
The Hebrew word לֵב (lev) means 'heart' and encompasses the inner man, mind, will, and emotions. It refers to the center of feelings, intellect, and moral character, as well as the seat of appetites and courage. The entries suggest a broad range of meanings related to human experience and thought, with a specific mention of its use in Jeremiah 51:1.
לֵב 599 n.m. (f.) inner man, mind, will, heart
seldom of things in the midst of the sea
elsewhere of men
the inner man in contrast with the outer
the inner man, indef., soul, comprehending mind, affections and will
specific reference to mind
spec. ref. to inclinations, resolutions and determinations of the will
spec. ref. to conscience
[various]
for the man himself
as seat of appetites
as seat of emotions and passions
seat of courage
base
לֵב קָמָי prob. late Atbash Je 51:1.
ref
H3820a לֵב inner man, mind, will, heart . seldom of things in the midst of the sea
. elsewhere of men . the inner man in contrast with the outer
. the inner man, indef., soul, comprehending mind, affections and will
. specific reference to mind
. spec. ref. to inclinations, resolutions and determinations of the will
. spec. ref. to conscience
. [various]
. for the man himself
. as seat of appetites
. as seat of emotions and passions
. seat of courage
H3820b לֵב קָמָי prob. late Atbash
3820 leb labe
a form of 3824; the heart; also used (figuratively) very
widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect;
likewise for the centre of anything:--+ care for, comfortably,
consent, X considered, courag(-eous), friend(-ly), ((broken-),
(hard-), (merry-), (stiff-), (stout-), double) heart((-ed)), X
heed, X I, kindly, midst, mind(-ed), X regard((-ed)), X
themselves, X unawares, understanding, X well, willingly,
wisdom.
see HEBREW for 03824
לֵב (lev) — heart.
1) inner man, mind, will, heart, understanding
1a) inner part, midst
1a1) midst (of things)
1a2) heart (of man)
1a3) soul, heart (of man)
1a4) mind, knowledge, thinking, reflection, memory
1a5) inclination, resolution, determination (of will)
1a6) conscience
1a7) heart (of moral character)
1a8) as seat of appetites
1a9) as seat of emotions and passions 1a10) as seat of courage
לֵב (lev) — Leb.
§ Leb- = "heart of"
(probably a cryptic name for Babylon by Atbash)
Prep | N-ms | Suff — Preposition · noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHR/Ncmsc/Sp3ms
לֹא (lo') is a Hebrew word meaning 'not' or 'no.' It serves as a simple negation and can imply absence or prohibition. The word can also be used in various contexts, often combined with other particles for emphasis or clarification. Its Aramaic equivalent is לָא (la), which also means 'not.'
לֹא or לוֹא adv. not
base
H3808 לֹא or לוֹא not
3808 lo' lo
or lowi {lo}; or loh (Deut. 3:11) {lo}; a primitive particle;
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often
used with other particles (as follows):--X before, + or else,
ere, + except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never,
no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), (X as though...,(can-), for) not (out
of), of nought, otherwise, out of, + surely, + as truly as, +
of a truth, + verily, for want, + whether, without.
לֹא (lo) — not.
1) not, no
1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition)
1b) not (with modifier-negation)
1c) nothing (subst)
1d) without (with particle)
1e) before (of time)
Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Part — ParticleHTn
מָעַד (ma'ad) is a Hebrew verb meaning to slip or slide. It can describe the action of slipping or tottering in its basic form (Qal), and in the Hiphil form, it means to cause something to shake or totter. The entries collectively emphasize the physical instability implied by the word.
[מָעַד] vb. slip, slide, totter, shake (only Heb.);—
Qal slip
Pu. pass. not needed here
Hiph. cause to shake, i.e. make them totter
base
H4571 מָעַד, מוּעֶדֶת, עָמַד
4571 ma`ad maw-ad'
a primitive root; to waver:--make to shake, slide, slip.
מָעַד (ma.ad) — to slip.
1) to slip, slide, totter, shake
1a) (Qal) to slip
1b) (Hiphil) to cause or make to shake or totter
V-Qal-Imperf-3fs — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person feminine singularHVqi3fs
אֲשׁוּר (ashur) and אַשֻּׁר (ashshur) both mean 'step' or 'going.' They are derived from the same root and represent the concept of movement or progression. The entries consistently emphasize this meaning without significant disagreement among the lexicons.
[אֲשׁוּר, אָשׁוּר] n.f. step, going
base
[אַשֻּׁר] n.f. step, going
base
H838a אֲשׁוּר, אָשׁוּר step, going H838b אַשֻּׁר step, going
838 'ashur aw-shoor'
or ashshur {ash-shoor'}; from 833 in the sense of going; a
step:--going, step.
see HEBREW for 0833
אֲשׁוּר (a.shur) — step.
step, going
Also means: a.shur (אַשֻּׁר "step" H0838B)
אַשֻּׁר (a.shur) — step.
step, going
Another spelling of a.shur (אֲשׁוּר "step" H0838A)
N-fp | Suff — Noun common masculine plural construct · suffixHNcmpc/Sp3ms