Right and Righteous

​Compare the two translations of Psalm 23:3 below. 

He guides me along the right paths
    for his name’s sake. (NIV)

 He leads me in paths of righteousness
        for his name’s sake. (KJV)

What kind of paths? Right or Righteous? The answer is both.

"The ambiguity of language and context, however, allows a moral quality to creep in. If the shepherd and sheep are images of a life fully dependent and trusting on Yahweh, then 'paths of righteousness' take on the meaning of a way of life that fulfills God’s expectation for his follower. The sheep are not left to their own devices but are led by God himself to take the correct path—the one that gets the sheep where they need to go." — Gerald H. Wilson, Psalms Volume 1 (NIVAC; Accordance electronic ed. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2002), 433.

The righteous path is the right path. 

Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. (Matthew 7:13–14)

Following Jesus our shepherd is the most practical, healthful thing anyone can do. Look up and see where he is today!