II Samuel 22:37 · Bible study
2 Samuel 22:37 Commentary: Enlarged Steps and Secure Footing
Hebrew · 7 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Study 'You have enlarged my steps under me' in 2 Samuel 22:37. Hebrew word analysis, theological themes, and application for the believer's walk.
Research Summary
- Meaning: God actively provides a wide, obstacle-free path so that the believer can walk without stumbling.
- Key words: tarchev (enlarge, Hiphil), tsa’ad (step), ma’ad (slip), qarsol (ankle). The Hiphil verb shows God as the cause; qarsol highlights a specific vulnerable joint.
- Main debate: Whether the primary reference is physical protection in battle (Keil & Delitzsch) or broader spiritual progress (Cambridge Bible); also the balance of divine action and human walking.
- Theological theme: Divine providence and preservation, God clears obstacles and keeps his servant upright.
- Best use: Teaching on God’s guidance, personal testimony of deliverance, comfort when facing obstacles or fear of falling.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
You broaden the path beneath me so that my ankles do not give way.
WEB World English Bible 2000
You have enlarged my steps under me. My feet have not slipped.
KJV King James Version 1769
Thou hast enlarged my steps under me; so that my feet did not slip.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
Thou hast enlarged my steps under me; And my feet have not slipped.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
Thou enlargest my step under me, And mine ankles have not slidden.
Darby Darby Bible 1890
Thou enlargedst my steps under me; And mine ankles did not slip.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
Thou shalt enlarge my steps under me: and my ankles shall not fail.
Translations in other languages (10 available)
Tú ensanchaste mis pasos debajo de mí, para que no titubeasen mis rodillas.
Tu alargaste meus desfiladeiros debaixo de mim, Para que não titubeassem meus joelhos.
Tu élargis le chemin sous mes pas,
Du machst unter mir Raum zu gehen, daß meine Knöchel nicht wanken.
Gij hebt mijn voetstap ruim gemaakt onder mij; en mijn enkelen hebben niet gewankeld.
Tu hai allargato la via ai miei passi; e i miei piedi non hanno vacillato.
Rozszerzyłeś kroki moje podemną, tak iż się nie zachwiały kostki moje.
Ты расширяешь шаг мой подо мною, и не колеблются ноги мои.
你使我腳下 的地步 寬闊；我的腳 未 曾滑跌。
You have made my steps wide under me, so that my feet make no slip.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Biblical Hebrew)
Old Testament · Biblical Hebrew · II Samuel 22:37
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators across traditions agree that this verse expresses God’s active provision for secure progress. The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges notes that God gives “free space for unobstructed motion” and the power to advance with “firm, unwavering steps.” Keil & Delitzsch similarly explain that God “makes my steps broad,” providing a wide space for free motion by removing obstructions. The Hiphil verb form of “enlarge” (tarchev, from rachav) underscores that God is the agent, he does the widening. The result is that David’s feet (or ankles) do not slip, slide, or tremble. Matthew Henry’s context emphasizes that God’s deliverance consistently leads to praise, and the Geneva Bible translation renders “heels” for ankles, highlighting the point of support. There is unity that God clears the way and keeps his servant upright, whether in physical battle or the larger journey of faith.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Low
What is clear: God actively enlarges the believer’s path, removing obstacles, so that the walker remains stable and does not stumble.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Primary reference of “enlarged steps” | God provides space and removes obstructions for free motion. | Whether the main context is physical battle (Keil & Delitzsch emphasize warfare) or broader spiritual progress (Cambridge Bible highlights unwavering steps in life). |
| Human responsibility vs divine protection | God is the subject of the verb ‘enlarge’, he initiates and enables. | Some see David’s statement of fact (“my feet have not slipped”) as testimony to God’s work alone; others note that David still walked and pursued enemies, implying human cooperation. |
| Meaning of “slipping” | It refers to losing stability, falling, or giving way under pressure. | Whether it primarily denotes physical defeat in combat, moral failure, or general life stumbling. The context allows for both physical and metaphorical readings. |
| Relationship to Psalm 18:36 | The verse is identical in both locations, confirming the song’s inclusion in both books. | Minor textual variations exist (e.g., “feet” in WEB vs “ankles” in YLT) but do not affect meaning. Some see the duplication as emphasizing the song’s importance. |
Historical & Cultural Context
Second Samuel 22 records David’s song of praise after the Lord delivered him from all his enemies, including Saul. This song is virtually identical to Psalm 18 and belongs to the genre of royal thanksgiving psalms. The language here is thoroughly martial. David speaks of God as his fortress, refuge, and shield (vv. 2, 3), and of his own hands trained for war (v. 35). In such a context, “steps” and “ankles” are not abstract. A soldier’s footing on uneven, often blood-soaked ground determined survival. To have one’s steps “enlarged” means God cleared a path through obstacles, enemies, terrain, or ambushes, so that David could advance without stumbling. The Hebrew word for “ankles” (qarsolai) appears only here and in the parallel Psalm 18:36, emphasizing a specific point of vulnerability: the joint that supports the entire body. The interlinear shows the key verbs: tarchev (you enlarge, Hiphil) and ma’adu (they slipped, Qal perfect). The perfect tense of “slipped” expresses a completed state: it did not happen. The cross-reference I Samuel 2:9, “He will keep the feet of his holy ones”, confirms that this theme of divine preservation of footing runs through David’s early life. The song likely dates to David’s later years, summarizing a lifetime of God’s faithfulness. Its placement in 2 Samuel serves as a theological capstone: God’s anointed king walks securely because God himself paves the way.
Textual Notes
The consulted sources note no significant variants for this verse. It appears identically in the parallel Psalm 18:36. The Hebrew text is stable, and the minor differences among English translations (e.g., “feet” vs “ankles”) reflect translation choices rather than manuscript variation.
Reception History
This verse belongs to one of the most replicated songs in Scripture, appearing both in 2 Samuel 22 and Psalm 18. In Christian tradition, the image of God broadening the path and steadying the feet has been a frequent theme in hymns about God’s guidance and protection. Ancient Jewish interpretation, as seen in Midrash Tehillim for Psalm 18, connected the broadening of steps to the spaciousness of God’s deliverance from narrow straits. Early church fathers like Athanasius and Augustine saw in such language the provision of the way of salvation. The verse continues to be used in devotional literature and liturgy as a promise of God’s enabling presence through life’s dangers.
Preaching This Verse
Three-Point Outline
- God Enlarges Our Steps: He removes obstacles and provides room to move. The Hiphil verb “tarchev” shows this is God’s active work, not our effort.
- God Secures Our Footing: He keeps us from slipping, whether physically, morally, or spiritually. The absence of slipping is a gift of his sustaining grace (Ps 94:18).
- Our Response Is Praise: David’s song models thanksgiving for God’s faithful enabling. The enlarged path leads to the praise of the One who clears it.
Five-Point Outline
- The divine initiator: “You have enlarged”, God begins and sustains the widening of our way.
- The nature of the path: It is “under me,” immediate and personal; not a distant promise but present reality.
- The promise of stability: “My feet have not slipped” speaks to God’s power to keep us standing even in battle (I Sam 2:9; Ps 121:3).
- The vulnerable part made secure: The reference to ankles (qarsolai) highlights the weakest point, God shores up our vulnerability.
- The goal of deliverance: We are not saved only to stay still but to walk, run, and pursue God’s purposes (v. 38, 40).
Illustration Hooks
- A hiker on a narrow, rocky trail comes to a broad, level meadow. The relief of having room to set your feet without fear.
- A parent watches a toddler take wobbly steps and gently steadies them. God does this for us on a larger scale.
- A runner on a track finds that the groundskeeper has filled all the divots and removed debris. The path is clear for speed.
Questions Your Congregation Is Asking
- Is this verse about physical safety or spiritual security? Does it apply to everyday choices?
- How do I know if God is “enlarging my steps” or if I am just making my own way?
- What does it mean to have feet that do not slip? Is it a promise of perfection or of perseverance?
Leading a Discussion
The verse comes from David’s song after years of danger and deliverance. He uses the image of a path that God widens so that his feet stay sure. In a small group, this verse invites honest reflection on where we feel our footing is weak and how God provides a safe way.
Discussion Questions
- Read the context of the song (2 Sam 22:31, 40). What does this tell you about the kind of situation David was in when he wrote these words?
- The phrase “enlarged my steps” implies that God makes room for movement. In what areas of life do you sense God giving you more space to walk?
- “My feet have not slipped” is a statement of result, not of self-confidence. How have you experienced God preventing a fall?
- The Hebrew word for “ankles” (qarsolai) appears only here and in Psalm 18:36. Why do you think David mentioned this specific body part?
- How does the surrounding theme of battle (v. 35, 40) shape your understanding of God’s protection?
- This verse is also in Psalm 18:36. Why do you think the Spirit preserved this song in two places?
- What is one practical way you can ask God to “enlarge your steps” this week?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| I Samuel 2:9 | He will keep the feet of his holy ones, but the wicked will be put to silence in darkness; for no man will prevail by strength. |
| Psalms 4:1 | For the Chief Musician; on stringed instruments. A Psalm by David. Answer me when I call, God of my righteousness. Give me relief from my distress. Have mercy on me, and hear my prayer. |
| Psalms 17:5 | My steps have held fast to your paths. My feet have not slipped. |
| Psalms 18:36 | You have enlarged my steps under me, My feet have not slipped. |
| Psalms 94:18 | When I said, “My foot is slipping!” Your loving kindness, Yahweh, held me up. |
| Psalms 121:3 | He will not allow your foot to be moved. He who keeps you will not slumber. |
| Proverbs 4:12 | When you go, your steps will not be hampered. When you run, you will not stumble. |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
6 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The commentator sees "enlarged my steps" as God giving open, unobstructed room to move and the strength to advance with steady, unwavering steps. The emphasis is on freedom from hindrances combined with firm, confident progress that only God provides.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
The Geneva notes see this as God giving David room to walk safely where before there was none. By broadening the path under him, God kept his heels from slipping. The emphasis falls on God’s active provision of firm footing rather than David’s own skill or balance.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill draws attention to the connection between God enlarging the space for walking and the resulting stability. For him, this enlargement is the specific divine action that prevents the feet from slipping, showing God's direct provision for safe progress.
Keil & Delitzsch OT Commentary Protestant 1876
Keil and Delitzsch stress that the Hebrew word some translate as God's humility actually means His hearkening, His attentive response when called upon for help. This active hearing is what makes a believer's steps broad and ankles steady, clearing obstructions and granting firm footing to overcome every foe.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry observes that being a person after God's heart does not shield one from having enemies; even David had many. He distinguishes Saul as the chief among
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley identifies the giants of Gath as survivors of the Anakim, a people long dreaded by Israel. His point is that even these fearsome remnants were not invincible: though once a terror, they ultimately met their end.