Daniel 4:37 - Those That Walk in Pride He Is Able to Abase | Speak His Word Only

“Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose
works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.” — Daniel 4:37 KJV

Daniel 4:37 records the remarkable confession of King Nebuchadnezzar after God humbled him. The king who once gloried in his own greatness came to acknowledge that true sovereignty belongs to the “King of heaven.”

“I Praise and Extol and Honour”

Earlier, Nebuchadnezzar looked upon Babylon and declared:

“Is not this great Babylon, that I have built…by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty?” — Daniel 4:30 KJV

His attention was upon my power, my kingdom, and my majesty.

But by verse 37, his language has changed. Instead of praising himself, he praises God.

His humiliation taught him that human authority exists beneath the sovereignty of the Most High.

“The King of Heaven”

Nebuchadnezzar was one of the most powerful kings of his era, yet he learned that there was a King above him.

Earlier in the chapter Daniel had warned him that:

“the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.” — Daniel 4:25 KJV

Human rulers possess limited authority. God's sovereignty is supreme.

“All Whose Works Are Truth”

Nebuchadnezzar acknowledges that God's actions are true and righteous. God had warned him through the dream and its interpretation. What God declared eventually came to pass.

God's Word proved trustworthy even when the king ignored its warning.

“His Ways Judgment”

God's judgment upon Nebuchadnezzar was not arbitrary. The king had been warned concerning his pride and conduct.

Daniel had even counseled him:

“break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor…” — Daniel 4:27 KJV

God's judgment revealed that earthly greatness does not place anyone beyond divine accountability.

“Those That Walk in Pride He Is Able to Abase”

This is the central lesson of Nebuchadnezzar's testimony.

Pride causes people to attribute to themselves what ultimately came through God's permission, provision, or grace.

Nebuchadnezzar said:

“I have built.”
“My power.”
“My majesty.”

God showed him how quickly human greatness could disappear.

The king who had exalted himself was humbled until he finally:

“lifted up mine eyes unto heaven.” — Daniel 4:34 KJV

His restoration began when his attention shifted from himself toward God.

Personal Application

Daniel 4:37 warns us to examine how we respond to success, authority, accomplishments, possessions, ministry, knowledge, or influence.

We should never become so impressed with what we have built that we forget Who gave us the ability to build it.

Pride says:

“Look what I have accomplished.”

Humility recognizes:

Without God's grace, strength, provision, and permission, I could accomplish nothing.

God does not share His glory with human pride. Nebuchadnezzar's testimony remains a powerful warning:

“those that walk in pride he is able to abase.”

When God blesses us, the proper response is not self-exaltation but gratitude, humility, worship, and acknowledgment of the King of heaven.