2 Samuel 22:37

KJV

Thou hast enlarged my steps under me; so that my feet did not slip.

KJV (with Strong's)

Thou hast enlarged {H7337} my steps {H6806} under me; so that my feet {H7166} did not slip {H4571}.

Complete Jewish Bible

You lengthen the steps I can take, yet my ankles do not turn.

Berean Standard Bible

You broaden the path beneath me so that my ankles do not give way.

American Standard Version

Thou hast enlarged my steps under me; And my feet have not slipped.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
2 Samuel 22:37, a profound declaration within David's psalm of thanksgiving, celebrates God's sovereign and active role in ensuring his security, progress, and stability amidst relentless opposition. It articulates a deep trust in the Lord, who not only protects from stumbling but actively clears and widens the path for His servant, enabling confident and unhindered movement through life's treacherous journeys. This verse stands as a testament to divine enablement and unwavering faithfulness in the face of peril.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within a lengthy and deeply personal psalm of deliverance, nearly identical to [Psalm 18](/psalm/18 "Psalm 18 - David's Psalm of Deliverance"). Positioned towards the latter part of 2 Samuel, it serves as a retrospective summary of David's entire life and reign, acknowledging God's hand in every victory and deliverance. The psalm begins with David's declaration of love for God (2 Samuel 22:1-3) and then vividly recounts his distress, his cry for help, and God's powerful intervention (2 Samuel 22:4-19). Following this dramatic rescue narrative, the psalm shifts to David's affirmation of his blamelessness and God's righteous judgment (2 Samuel 22:20-30), culminating in a celebration of God's perfect way and enabling power (2 Samuel 22:31-46), of which verse 37 is a key component. The placement here, rather than just in the Psalter, emphasizes its historical grounding in David's life experiences.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** David's life was characterized by constant warfare and existential threats, from his early days fleeing King Saul to his later conflicts with the Philistines, Ammonites, Arameans, and internal rebellions. The imagery of "enlarged steps" and "feet not slipping" resonates deeply with the realities of ancient travel and warfare in the rugged terrain of Israel. Paths were often narrow, rocky, and precipitous, making a stable footing crucial for survival and progress. To "slip" or "stumble" could mean physical injury, capture by enemies, or a metaphorical downfall in leadership or reputation. Culturally, a king's stability and ability to lead were often linked to his divine favor, and any sign of weakness or failure to maintain a secure path would be seen as a lack of God's blessing. David's testimony here is thus a powerful public declaration of God's unwavering support and empowerment throughout his tumultuous reign.
* **Key Themes:** The overarching theme of this psalm, and specifically this verse, is **Divine Deliverance and Empowerment**. David consistently attributes his success and security not to his own strength but to God's active intervention. This verse highlights **God's Providence and Guidance**, showing how the Lord actively clears obstacles and provides a clear, stable path for His chosen servant, ensuring progress rather than confinement or stumbling. It underscores the theme of **Security and Stability** in God, emphasizing that even in a world full of unseen pitfalls and known dangers, God ensures His servant maintains firm footing, preventing spiritual, physical, or emotional falls. This echoes sentiments found in [Psalm 121:3](/psalm/121-3 "Psalm 121:3 - God Preserves Your Footing"), where the psalmist declares, "He will not suffer thy foot to be moved." Furthermore, it speaks to **Freedom from Constraint**, as David's life was often one of being hunted and confined, and God "enlarging" his steps signifies liberation from narrow, dangerous paths, granting him broad, secure ground to move forward.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Enlarged (Hebrew, _rāḥaḇ_):** This verb (רָחַב) means "to make wide, broad, spacious, or roomy." It implies an expansion from a state of confinement or narrowness. In the context of "steps," it suggests that God has cleared away obstacles, removed constrictions, and provided ample space for David to move freely and securely. It's not merely protection from falling, but an active creation of an optimal environment for progress.
* **Steps (Hebrew, _ṣaʿad_):** The noun (צַעַד) refers to a "step" or "stride," often implying a deliberate walk or march. When God "enlarges" one's steps, it speaks to the entire journey or course of life, indicating that God provides the capacity and freedom for one's life's journey to be unhindered, progressive, and secure. It encompasses the idea of one's entire conduct and progress.
* **Slip (Hebrew, _môṭ_):** This verb (מוֹט) signifies "to sway, totter, waver, or be moved." It conveys instability, the risk of falling, or being overthrown. The negation "did not slip" emphatically declares God's perfect and unfailing protection, ensuring David's stability and preventing any catastrophic fall, whether physical, moral, or political.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thou hast enlarged my steps under me":** This clause attributes direct divine agency to David's ability to move securely. The imagery suggests that God has literally widened the path beneath David's feet, removing any narrow confines, treacherous obstacles, or ambushes that would impede his progress. It speaks to God's proactive intervention in David's life, providing not just protection but also enablement and freedom of movement. It implies a sense of liberation from constraint and the provision of ample room for advancement and flourishing.
* **"so that my feet did not slip":** This clause presents the direct consequence and purpose of God's action. Because God "enlarged" David's steps, his footing remained firm and stable. This signifies God's perfect preservation and the unwavering stability He grants. In a life fraught with danger and potential downfall, God ensures that His servant maintains a secure position, preventing any form of stumbling, whether it be a physical fall, a moral lapse, or a political defeat. It is a powerful affirmation of divine protection against all forms of instability.

#### Literary Devices
2 Samuel 22:37 is rich in **Metaphorical Language**, where physical actions and conditions are used to describe spiritual and existential realities. "Enlarged my steps" and "feet did not slip" are vivid metaphors for God providing security, freedom, and stability in David's life journey, particularly in the face of enemies and challenges. The imagery of a wide, clear path contrasts sharply with narrow, treacherous terrain, symbolizing a life free from hindrance and danger. There is also an element of **Anthropomorphism**, as God is depicted as actively clearing and widening a path for David, an action typically performed by a human guide or pioneer. This device emphasizes God's personal and intimate involvement in David's life. The verse also employs **Hyperbole** to some extent, as it speaks of absolute non-slipping, conveying the totality of God's protection in a way that transcends mere physical reality to encompass spiritual and moral steadfastness.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse powerfully articulates the biblical truth of God's active and personal involvement in the lives of His people, especially those called to His service. It moves beyond passive protection to active enablement, demonstrating that God not only shields from harm but also proactively creates the conditions for His servants to thrive and fulfill their calling without hindrance. This divine provision of a "wide place" (often a metaphor for freedom and safety) is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, signifying God's deliverance from distress and His establishment of His people in security. It underscores the concept of divine sovereignty over all circumstances, affirming that even in the most perilous situations, God maintains ultimate control and guides the steps of the righteous.

* [Psalm 4:1](/psalm/4-1 "Psalm 4:1 - God's Answer in Distress")
* [Psalm 31:8](/psalm/31-8 "Psalm 31:8 - Delivered into a Wide Place")
* [Proverbs 3:5-6](/proverbs/3-5 "Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trusting God for Direction")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
For believers today, 2 Samuel 22:37 offers profound encouragement and a robust framework for understanding God's active presence in our lives. In a world that often feels like a narrow, treacherous path filled with unexpected pitfalls, this verse assures us that God is not a distant observer but an intimate guide who "enlarges our steps." This means He provides the necessary space, clarity, and stability for us to navigate life's challenges—be they spiritual battles, relational complexities, career uncertainties, or personal struggles—without fear of catastrophic failure. It calls us to cultivate a deep trust in His sovereign guidance, knowing that He actively clears obstacles, provides firm footing, and grants us the freedom to move forward in His purposes. Our confidence should not be in our own ability to avoid stumbling, but in God's unfailing power to secure our path and ensure our progress.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you currently feel constrained or on a "narrow path"? How does the promise of God "enlarging your steps" bring hope to these situations?**
* **How does the imagery of "feet not slipping" encourage you to trust God with your future, even when the way ahead seems uncertain or dangerous?**
* **What practical steps can you take to lean more fully on God's guidance and provision, allowing Him to "enlarge your steps" in your daily walk?**

### FAQ

**What does "Thou hast enlarged my steps under me" truly mean?**

Answer: This phrase is a rich metaphor for God's active intervention in David's life, providing him with freedom, security, and progress. "Enlarging steps" means God has cleared the way, removed obstacles, and made the path wide and spacious, contrasting with a narrow, dangerous, or confined path. It signifies that God doesn't just protect David from falling, but He proactively creates an environment where David can move forward confidently and unhindered in his life and calling. It implies divine enablement and the removal of all constraints that would otherwise limit or endanger his journey.

**How does "so that my feet did not slip" relate to divine protection?**

Answer: This clause emphasizes the outcome of God's "enlarging" action: perfect stability and preservation. In the ancient world, slipping on a treacherous path could lead to injury, capture, or death. Metaphorically, "slipping" can refer to moral failure, spiritual backsliding, or political downfall. Therefore, "my feet did not slip" means God provided unwavering support, ensuring David's steadfastness and preventing him from falling into the traps or dangers set by his enemies, or from succumbing to personal weakness. It's a testament to God's complete and reliable protection, ensuring the security of His servant's walk in all aspects of life, echoing the promise in [Psalm 91:11-12](/psalm/91-11 "Psalm 91:11-12 - Angels Guarding Your Steps").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 2 Samuel 22:37 speaks of God's deliverance for King David, its ultimate and most profound fulfillment is found in Jesus Christ. David's experience of God "enlarging his steps" and preventing his feet from slipping foreshadows the secure and unshakeable path that Christ, the ultimate King, walked and now provides for all who believe in Him. Jesus, through His perfect obedience, sacrificial death, and victorious resurrection, has forever cleared the path for humanity, removing the ultimate obstacle of sin and death. He is the "way, the truth, and the life" ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way")), through whom believers gain access to God and walk in true freedom. Where David's steps were enlarged in a physical and political sense, Christ's work provides spiritual enlargement and eternal security. Believers are now "rooted and built up in him and established in the faith" ([Colossians 2:7](/colossians/2-7 "Colossians 2:7 - Established in Christ")), their feet made firm on the solid ground of His finished work. The Holy Spirit guides our steps ([Romans 8:14](/romans/8-14 "Romans 8:14 - Led by the Spirit")) and ensures our perseverance, guaranteeing that our spiritual feet will not slip from the path of salvation, ultimately leading us to the secure presence of God, as promised in [Jude 1:24](/jude/1-24 "Jude 1:24 - Keeping You from Stumbling").

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Proverbs 4:12

When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble.

Psalms 17:5

Hold up my goings in thy paths, [that] my footsteps slip not.

1 Samuel 2:9

He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail.

Psalms 121:3

He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.

Psalms 18:36

Thou hast enlarged my steps under me, that my feet did not slip.

Psalms 4:1

¶ To the chief Musician on Neginoth, A Psalm of David. Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me [when I was] in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer.

Psalms 94:18

When I said, My foot slippeth; thy mercy, O LORD, held me up.