Psalm 73 26

Psalm 73:26 kjv

My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.

Psalm 73:26 nkjv

My flesh and my heart fail; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Psalm 73:26 niv

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Psalm 73:26 esv

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Psalm 73:26 nlt

My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak,
but God remains the strength of my heart;
he is mine forever.

Psalm 73 verses

Psalm 73 26 Meaning

Psalm 73:26 declares a profound truth about human fragility contrasted with divine faithfulness. It acknowledges that both physical health and emotional strength will eventually falter and cease. However, in stark opposition to this transient human condition, the psalmist confidently proclaims that God Himself is the enduring "strength" (literally "rock") of his inner being and his eternal "portion" (inheritance, sustenance, share). This verse expresses ultimate hope and security found not in oneself or worldly provisions, but solely in God, who remains steadfast and satisfying forever.

Psalm 73 26 Context

Psalm 73 is a wisdom psalm attributed to Asaph. The psalm begins with Asaph's deep spiritual struggle and doubt as he observed the prosperity and apparent ease of the wicked (vv. 1-12) while the righteous seemed to suffer and be afflicted (vv. 13-14). This existential crisis led him to question God's justice and goodness, nearly causing his feet to slip from his faith. However, his breakthrough occurs when he "went into the sanctuary of God" (v. 17). It was there, in divine presence, that he gained clarity, understanding the ultimate destiny of the wicked—their sudden destruction and eternal ruin—and contrasting it with God's perpetual care for His own.

From verse 23 onwards, Asaph's perspective radically shifts from earthly concerns to eternal realities. He realizes that God's unwavering presence (v. 23), guidance (v. 24), and Himself as the sole source of ultimate satisfaction (v. 25) are infinitely more valuable than any temporal success. Verse 26, then, serves as the triumphant climax of this spiritual journey, where Asaph declares his complete reliance on God as his everlasting strength and portion, transcending the inevitable limitations and failures of his mortal self. It marks a decisive turn from worldly entanglement to unwavering divine commitment.

Psalm 73 26 Word Analysis

• "My flesh" (בְּשָׂרִי, besari): Refers to the physical body, the material, mortal aspect of humanity. It emphasizes the temporary, perishable nature of human existence, often associated with frailty, weakness, and decay. In Hebrew thought, 'flesh' represents the whole person in their earthly weakness.

• "and my heart" (וּלְבָבִי, ulevavi): Represents the inner being—the mind, will, emotions, intellect, and spiritual core. It indicates the psychological, emotional, and spiritual capacity which, like the physical body, can falter under pressure, fear, or despair.

• "may fail" (כָּלָה, kalah): A strong verb meaning to cease, be consumed, perish, waste away, come to an end, or be completed. It signifies an utter collapse or complete wearing out, both physically and spiritually/emotionally. This word highlights the inevitability of human limitation and death.

• "but God is": While not a single Hebrew word in this exact placement, the structure effectively conveys a stark contrast (introduced by "but" derived from the context of opposition to "fail"). The ultimate subject of the second half of the verse is "God" (אֱלֹהִים, Elohim), highlighting divine agency.

• "the strength of my heart": (צוּר לְבָבִי, tzur levavi): Literally "rock of my heart."

  • "Strength" (צוּר, tzur): Literally "rock" or "boulder." This term is a common biblical metaphor for God, denoting His unshakeable, unchanging, protective, and firm nature. It implies security, stability, and enduring support in contrast to human frailty. It depicts God as the bedrock of the psalmist's innermost being.
  • "of my heart" (לְבָבִי, levavi): Reiteration of 'my heart,' emphasizing that God is the unwavering foundation not just of his physical body, but profoundly, of his entire inner person, his deepest self.

• "and my portion" (וְחֶלְקִי, v'chelqi):

  • "Portion" (חֶלְקִי, chelqi): Refers to an inheritance, a share, or a lot. In the Old Testament, the Levites had no territorial inheritance but had "the Lord God of Israel" as their portion (Num 18:20, Deut 10:9). This concept signifies that God Himself is the ultimate treasure, the supreme inheritance, satisfaction, and all-sufficiency that fulfills every need, far surpassing any earthly possession or gain.

• "forever" (לְעוֹלָם, le'olam): Emphasizes the eternal, unending nature of God's role as strength and portion. This is not a temporary help, but an everlasting truth that transcends time, mortality, and any change in circumstances, extending into eternity.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "My flesh and my heart may fail": This phrase captures the complete human experience – physical and internal – acknowledging its finite and perishable nature. It is a universal human truth: bodies weaken, emotions wane, and life ends.
  • "But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever": This segment stands in direct and powerful antithesis to the first, shifting focus from human weakness to divine sufficiency. It encapsulates the core message of eternal reliance on God, providing both inner fortitude ("strength of my heart") and ultimate satisfaction and inheritance ("my portion") for all eternity. It reveals where ultimate and lasting security truly resides.

Psalm 73 26 Bonus Section

• Polemical Aspect: This verse subtly confronts contemporary pagan beliefs and the prevailing worldly mindset that equate prosperity and physical well-being with divine favor or human self-sufficiency. Asaph's journey reveals that true blessing and security are not found in outward conditions or internal human power, but exclusively in the Person of God. It de-prioritizes temporal human strength and worldly possessions, elevating an eternal, spiritual relationship with the Almighty.
• Heart in Biblical Context: The "heart" in Hebrew thought is far more than just the seat of emotions; it is the center of the entire person – the intellect, will, conscience, and moral choice. Thus, "strength of my heart" signifies that God is the unwavering foundation and fortitude for every aspect of the psalmist's inner life and decision-making, providing coherence and steadfastness where human inner resolve would fail.
• Portion as a Covenant Concept: The concept of God as "portion" or "inheritance" is deeply rooted in the Levitical covenant where the priests and Levites did not receive land but had Yahweh as their allotted inheritance. This symbolically points to a life lived in full dependency and satisfaction solely from God, setting a precedent for all believers to consider God Himself as their highest value and possession above all else that the world offers.
• Comfort in Mortality: This verse provides profound comfort and courage in the face of human mortality. It acknowledges the inescapable reality of physical decline and death but counters it with the eternal vitality and fidelity of God. For the believer, death is not an end to one's portion or strength in God but a transition to fully realizing that eternal reality.

Psalm 73 26 Commentary

Psalm 73:26 serves as the spiritual high-water mark of Asaph's journey from perplexing doubt to unwavering faith. It encapsulates a profound theological truth: that while everything earthly—including our own physical vitality and emotional resilience—is destined to weaken and pass away, God Himself is an unchanging, eternal, and all-sufficient foundation for the soul. The psalmist asserts that even as the mortal body decays and the spirit wanes under affliction, God remains the unyielding "Rock" of his deepest being, providing steadfast strength and stability. More than just a helper in times of trouble, God is identified as "my portion," implying that He is not merely a means to an end, but the ultimate end and supreme good. This goes beyond receiving blessings from God to receiving God Himself as the greatest possession and inheritance, a truth that echoes throughout scripture, particularly concerning those dedicated entirely to Him. This relationship with God as an eternal "portion" secures true spiritual wealth that is independent of any worldly circumstance or bodily failure, guaranteeing contentment and security even beyond death. It is a declaration of ultimate faith that transcends human limitation and finds perfect satisfaction in the eternal character and presence of God.

• Practical Usage Example: When facing severe illness or personal loss, acknowledging the emotional and physical strain ("my flesh and my heart may fail") allows for a deeper turning to God as the enduring strength and portion, rather than clinging to diminishing earthly comforts or capabilities.