Psalm 37:24 "though they stumble, they shall not fall"

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Actually according to my Catholic bible version (New American Bible) the passage reads:

(23Those whose steps are guided by the Lord; whose way God approves,)
24May stumble, but they will never fall, for the Lord holds their hand.

I heard it quoted on a Christian radio station, but I don’t have a concordance and couldn’t manage to find any Catholic commentary online.

It appears that it is a hot passage for protestants, but I’m wondering what the Catholic understanding of this passage is.

I’d love any references or websites that address this and of course any comments you guys have personally.

Thanks!
 
24 When he shall fall, he shall not be bruised, for the Lord putteth his hand under him. (Douay-Rheims Version)

The 1859 edition of Haydock’s Catholic Bible commentary on the verse offers several ideas:
VER 24. Him. To break the fall. Hebrew: “the Lord upholdeth him with his hand.” (Protestant King James Version). (Haydock).

— The just man is like a courageous wrestler, who may slip, but yields not. (Origen). (Eusebius).

— His fall is not mortal, (Calmet) though he may be guilty of venial sin. Proverbs xxiv, 16. (Witham).

Proverbs XXIV, 16:

For a just man shall fall seven times, and shall rise again: but the wicked shall fall down into evil. (Douay-Rheims Version)

VER. 16. Fall into smaller sins, (St. Gregory. vi. in 2 Reg. xv. &c.) or into disgrace, as the Hebrew yippol rather intimates. (Vatable). (St. Augustine, *City of God, *xi. 31). — Both significations agee with the context. See Job v, 27. Matthew xviii, 21. (Calmet).
— He who is not subject to mortal sin, may still be exposed to many failings, and venial sins, which do not deprive him of the title of just; whereas the wicked consents to mortal sin, from which he riseth not so easily. Hence the wise man admonishes us not to lie in wait, or calumniously seek impiety in the house or soul of the just. (Witham).
 
24Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand. (Revised Standard Version)

I don’t think it would be too far off the mark to say that this verse refers prophetically to the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, who though he suffered and died yet did not see corruption but rose from the dead.
 
So would it be accurate to say someone who has been in God’s hold *could *fall rather than stumble if they freely walked away from God’s protection? Basically moved from a just man to a wicked one by falling into mortal sin. Only through confession and a voluntary returning to God’s hand could they regain the protection.

Or once you are in God’s hold can you not ever fall?
 
Falling in this sense is like an involuntary thing. You don’t have to worry about commiting a mortal sin if you stay focused on Jesus everyday. However, it is still possible for you to divert your eyes and “fall” on purpose. From the protestants I’ve talked to, (and I certainly don’t mean to speak for all of them) they believe Heaven is garaunteed by their faith, so why worry about sinning? Problem is if you sin, that is a reflection of how strong your faith is, isn’t it? You should always avoid sin. You shouldn’t say to yourself “well, I’m human, I’m bound to sin, and Jesus already died for me anyway so here I go . . .” no, no :tsktsk:
 
What a beautiful and inspirational psalm for today’s troubles. 🙂
 
Rebecca New:
What a beautiful and inspirational psalm for today’s troubles. 🙂
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Agreed-I use this verse as the basis for my toast at my daughters wedding.

I also believe President Bush referenced this verse in his eulogy at reagans funeral
 
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