Psalm 73:26 - Printer Friendly

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Human beings are fallible. The premise of this psalm is that Asaph wrongly became bitter and unhappy when he could not understand God's ways (Psalm 73:2–3, 21–22). After resolving his unhappiness (Psalm 73:15–18), he declares God as the most important aspect of his life. Even if his health failed, Asaph knew this would not mean God had failed him (Romans 8:38–39). To view God as his "portion," means to see the Lord as the source of his happiness.

Job, too, knew that God would not fail him even if his life should end. He testified, "For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he shall stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God" (Job 19:25–26). Abraham also considered God to be his portion. When the king of Sodom offered Abraham a reward for rescuing the people of Sodom when they were captured, Abraham refused the reward. He told the king of Sodom, "I have lifted my hand to the LORD, God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth, that I would not take a thread or a sandal strap or anything that is yours, lest you should say, 'I have made Abram rich'" (Genesis 14:22–23).

Psalm 73:15–28 gives a fitting resolution to Asaph's complaint (Psalm 73:2–3). He was disturbed by the contrast between the seemingly prosperous wicked and the difficulties of the righteous. Many today feel the same conflict. An eternal perspective gave the answer he needed to those hard examples. In short, wickedness does come with risks, and earthly life is not all there is to our existence. Even in the context of the natural world, evil invites negative consequences and disaster. In eternity, judgment on godlessness is absolutely guaranteed.

Seeing godless people thrive, even as they hatefully mock God, while believers suffer, leads many people to a crisis of faith. This was the case for Asaph. Using exaggerated imagery, he complains to the Lord that it seems as if evil people have easy lives, while godly people suffer. Further reflection reminds Asaph that sin does lead to consequences, both in this life and the next. He confesses his sins of bitterness and resolves to trust God more deeply.

This psalm is the first in a collection which corresponds to Leviticus and the overall theme of worship. Asaph, who wrote Psalm 73, confesses that seeing prosperity among wicked people brought him bitterness and envy. That nearly caused him to lose trust in God. Carefully considering God and His eternal truth led Asaph to a stronger faith. Job chapter 21, in which trial-laden Job also complains about the success of some wicked people, mentions many of the same ideas as Psalm 73.

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.