Psalm 17 5

Psalm 17:5 kjv

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

Psalm 17:5 nkjv

Uphold my steps in Your paths, That my footsteps may not slip.

Psalm 17:5 niv

My steps have held to your paths; my feet have not stumbled.

Psalm 17:5 esv

My steps have held fast to your paths; my feet have not slipped.

Psalm 17:5 nlt

My steps have stayed on your path;
I have not wavered from following you.

Psalm 17 verses

Psalm 17 5 Meaning

Psalm 17:5 expresses a heartfelt declaration of unwavering commitment to God's divine guidance and a confidence in His preserving power. The psalmist, David, asserts that his life's trajectory and every deliberate action have consistently conformed to God's revealed will and righteous principles. Furthermore, he declares that despite the trials or temptations encountered, his walk has remained steady and unswayed, implying both his intentional adherence and divine enablement in preventing moral or spiritual faltering.

Psalm 17 5 Context

Psalm 17 is a fervent individual prayer of lament and trust, commonly attributed to David. It opens with an appeal for God's attention and a plea for justice and vindication from deceptive and violent enemies. Throughout the psalm, David presents his blamelessness before God, not as a claim to sinless perfection, but as an assertion of his overall devotion and consistent adherence to God's covenant and righteous ways, particularly in contrast to his wicked pursuers. Verse 5 is central to this declaration of integrity, serving as evidence for his plea that God should intervene and protect him. It paints a picture of a consistent life lived in accordance with divine principles, despite facing grave danger and malicious opposition.

Psalm 17 5 Word analysis

• My steps (אֲשֻׁרַי, 'a-shu-ray): From 'ashur', meaning "step, walk, going." This plural form signifies the entirety of one's movements, journey, and general course of life. It implies the totality of one's practical actions and daily conduct rather than just individual instances. It points to a habitual way of living.
• have held (תָּמַךְ, ta-makh): This verb means "to grasp, to lay hold of, to support, to hold firmly." It conveys a deliberate and continuous act of holding on, upholding, or cleaving to something. It is an active choice and consistent effort, indicating steadfastness and commitment. The psalmist is not merely passing by God's paths but intentionally aligning himself with them.
• to your paths (בְּמַעְגְּלֹתֶיךָ, b'-ma-'-g'-lo-te-cha): "Your paths" translates "ma'agaloth" meaning "tracks, rutted ways, or circuits." This signifies the defined, established ways and course of living that God has set out, particularly through His commandments, laws, and moral principles. It refers to God's design for righteous living. These are contrasted with the "paths of the wicked" (Prov 2:15) and imply a clear, discernable divine way.
• my feet (פְּעָמַי, p'-'a-may): From "pa'am," meaning "foot, step." While 'ashuray' often denotes the overall walk or destiny, 'pe'amay' emphasizes the physical instrumentality and immediate action of the feet, pointing to concrete steps and choices made. It underscores the practical manifestation of one's life's direction.
• have not slipped (לֹא מָעֲדוּ, lo ma-'-du): "Lo" is "not." "Ma'ad" means "to slip, totter, waver, stagger." This signifies stability and security. It implies that despite challenges, temptations, or pressure from adversaries, the psalmist's feet (his actions and choices) have not wavered from God's path, nor has he fallen away morally or spiritually. This "not slipping" can be understood as both personal vigilance and divine preservation. It is not a claim to absolute sinlessness but a consistent orientation and direction towards God’s way despite life’s uneven terrain.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "My steps have held to your paths": This phrase emphasizes the deliberate and steadfast alignment of one's entire life course with God's pre-ordained and righteous ways. It conveys an intentional and consistent effort to follow God's will and abide by His commands as the guiding principle for all actions and decisions. It is an active "holding on" to the divine blueprint for living.
• "my feet have not slipped": This complements the first phrase by highlighting the practical stability and moral perseverance. It suggests that despite potential dangers, obstacles, or temptations that could cause one to deviate or fall, the psalmist has remained firm and steadfast. This stability is often a result of both human obedience and divine enabling and protection. It reflects the outcome of "holding to His paths" – a secure and unwavering walk in righteousness.

Psalm 17 5 Bonus section

This verse reflects a common Old Testament motif where faithfulness to God's covenant, observed through a life of obedience to His commands, forms the basis for invoking divine blessing and protection. David’s declaration is particularly poignant as he is appealing for deliverance from false accusations and threats, demonstrating that his trust is rooted in his actual pattern of walking with God, even if he, like any human, has had particular failings elsewhere in his life (e.g., Bathsheba episode), this particular psalm underscores a fundamental orientation towards God. It suggests that true integrity is about the direction of one’s heart and life, a persistent endeavor to follow God's blueprint for living, even when the path is difficult. This also sets a precedent for believers, teaching that living in God's ways provides a stable foundation for appealing to Him in times of distress and expecting His deliverance and vindication. It speaks to the consistent habit of seeking and adhering to God's will as the bedrock of one's faith journey, contrasting sharply with the shifting, uncertain paths of those who disregard divine guidance.

Psalm 17 5 Commentary

Psalm 17:5 presents David's assertion of his uprightness and faithfulness before God, a foundational element in his plea for divine intervention. It is not a boast of perfection but a declaration of consistent spiritual and moral commitment to God's established ways. "My steps have held to your paths" speaks to a deliberate and continuous choice to live according to God's will, consciously making decisions aligned with His commands rather than the ways of the world or personal whim. This steadfastness is then underscored by the phrase "my feet have not slipped," implying divine protection and enablement in the face of pressures or temptations that could cause one to waver or fall from righteousness. It communicates a confidence in the stability granted by adhering to God, recognizing that true steadfastness comes from a heart devoted to His way, enabled by His grace. This verse showcases the principle that a life genuinely seeking and following God's guidance finds secure footing, even amidst life's challenges.

• Examples:
  • A business owner making an ethical decision that might incur short-term loss but honors God's principles, trusting in divine provision.
  • An individual consistently choosing reconciliation and forgiveness in relationships, even when offended, demonstrating adherence to Christ's teachings.
  • A student resisting peer pressure to engage in unwholesome activities, instead standing firm on biblical values, and trusting God to navigate social challenges.