The term "guideth" is an archaic form of the verb "guide," which means to lead, direct, or influence the course of someone or something. In the context of the Bible, "guideth" often refers to the divine guidance provided by God to His people. This guidance is a central theme throughout the Scriptures, emphasizing God's active role in directing the lives of individuals and nations according to His will and purpose.

Divine Guidance in the Old Testament

In the Old Testament, God's guidance is frequently depicted through His interactions with the patriarchs, prophets, and the nation of Israel. One of the most notable examples is found in Psalm 23:3, where David declares, "He restores my soul; He guides me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake" . Here, the psalmist acknowledges God's role in leading him toward righteousness, underscoring the moral and spiritual dimensions of divine guidance.

The Israelites' journey through the wilderness is another significant instance of God's guidance. In Exodus 13:21, it is written, "And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to guide their way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night" . This passage illustrates God's tangible presence and direction, ensuring the safety and progress of His people.

Guidance Through Wisdom Literature

The wisdom literature of the Old Testament, particularly the Book of Proverbs, frequently addresses the theme of guidance. Proverbs 3:5-6 advises, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight" . This passage highlights the importance of relying on God's wisdom rather than human understanding, promising that such trust will result in clear and righteous paths.

Guidance in the New Testament

In the New Testament, the concept of guidance is closely associated with the Holy Spirit. Jesus promised His disciples that the Holy Spirit would guide them into all truth. In John 16:13, Jesus states, "However, when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak what He hears, and He will declare to you what is to come" . This assurance of guidance through the Holy Spirit is foundational for the early church and continues to be a source of comfort and direction for believers.

The apostle Paul also speaks of divine guidance in his letters. In Romans 8:14, he writes, "For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God" . This verse emphasizes the relationship between divine guidance and spiritual identity, suggesting that being led by the Spirit is a mark of true sonship with God.

Practical Aspects of Guidance

The Bible encourages believers to seek God's guidance in all aspects of life. James 1:5 offers practical advice: "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him" . This invitation to seek divine wisdom underscores the accessibility and generosity of God's guidance.

Moreover, the Scriptures encourage believers to be attentive to God's guidance through prayer, meditation on His Word, and the counsel of mature Christians. The collective witness of the Bible affirms that God is both willing and able to guide His people, providing direction, wisdom, and clarity in the midst of life's uncertainties.

David's Song of victory
... For who is God, save the LORD? And who is a rock, save our God? God is
my strong fortress: And he guideth the perfect in his way. ...
/.../select masterpieces of biblical literature/vi davids song of victory.htm

Of the Duties which we are to Perform after Receiving the Holy ...
... him their gold, myrrh, and frankincense, how much more shouldst thou rejoice, now
that thou hast both seen and received this sacrament which guideth thy soul ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/bayly/the practice of piety/iii of the duties which.htm

A Carol.
... away. See what God for us provideth, Life that in His Son abideth, And our
weary steps He guideth From earth's woe to heav'nly joy. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gerhardt/paul gerhardts spiritual songs/a carol.htm

The First Psalm of David.
... Where the Lord His people guide, There the godless ne'er abide, God the
faithful loves and guideth, On the wicked wrath abideth. ...
/.../gerhardt/paul gerhardts spiritual songs/the first psalm of david.htm

The 23Rd Psalm of David.
... deliver. My steps aright He leadeth, And what to do me guideth, And for
His name's sake glorious O'er fear makes me victorious. ...
/.../gerhardt/paul gerhardts spiritual songs/the 23rd psalm of david.htm

The Everlasting Arms
... All the thorns of life around her. Cannot take her peace away". He who made me guideth
best,. And my heart is left at rest. There my spirit knows no darkness,. ...
/.../bevan/hymns of ter steegen and others second series/the everlasting arms.htm

Arise!
... Arise! although the flesh be weak,. The spirit willing is and true,. And servants
of the Master seek. To follow where it guideth to. Beloved! oh, be wise indeed ...
//christianbookshelf.org/borthwick/hymns from the land of luther/arise.htm

Of Knowledge Useful and Useless
... the people. Blessed is the man who so guideth others in the way of salvation,
that he ceaseth not to walk therein himself. Blessed ...
/.../the little flowers of st francis of assisi/chapter xiii of knowledge useful.htm

Psalm CXLVI.
... It is somewhat invisible, it ruleth the body, moveth the limbs, guideth the senses,
prepareth thoughts, putteth forth actions, taketh in images of countless ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm cxlvi.htm

When Amasis the King of Egypt Sent to the Wise Men of Greece
... Again His goodness is seen, in the end to which He guideth all this profitableness,
in making it serviceable to supply our wants, and delight our senses: to ...
/.../traherne/centuries of meditations/21 when amasis the king.htm

Guideth (6 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Guideth (6 Occurrences). 2 Samuel 22:33 God is my
strong fortress; And he guideth the perfect in his way. (ASV). ...
/g/guideth.htm - 7k

Perfection (30 Occurrences)
... in way"); for "perfect peace, and at such a time" (Ezra 7:12), "perfect and so forth";
for "He maketh my way perfect" (2 Samuel 22:33), "He guideth the perfect ...
/p/perfection.htm - 25k

Perfect (205 Occurrences)
... in way"); for "perfect peace, and at such a time" (Ezra 7:12), "perfect and so forth";
for "He maketh my way perfect" (2 Samuel 22:33), "He guideth the perfect ...
/p/perfect.htm - 47k

Guides (24 Occurrences)

/g/guides.htm - 13k

Letteth (11 Occurrences)
... spittle unto his beard. (YLT). 2 Samuel 22:33 God is my strong fortress;
And he guideth the perfect in his way. (See JPS). 2 Kings 10 ...
/l/letteth.htm - 9k

Guide (89 Occurrences)
... 15:14 Luke 6:39 Revelation 7:17); "a guide to" for "more excellent than" (Proverbs
12:26); "guided" for "brought in" (Psalm 78:26); "guideth" for "maketh" (2 ...
/g/guide.htm - 37k

Teaches (24 Occurrences)
... bow of bronze. (WEB). Psalms 25:9 He guideth The humble in justice; and He
teacheth the humble His way. (See NAS RSV NIV). Psalms 94 ...
/t/teaches.htm - 13k

Misleadeth (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Misleadeth (1 Occurrence). Proverbs 12:26 The righteous
guideth his neighbour; but the way of the wicked misleadeth them. (DBY). ...
/m/misleadeth.htm - 6k

Destroyeth (38 Occurrences)
... (KJV DBY WBS). Proverbs 11:3 The integrity of the upright guideth them; but
the crookedness of the unfaithful destroyeth them. (DBY YLT). ...
/d/destroyeth.htm - 17k

Guiding (69 Occurrences)

/g/guiding.htm - 26k

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