Psalms 17:5

5 Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip[a] not.

Psalms 17:5 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 17:5

Hold up my goings in thy paths
Which being spoken by David in his own person, and for himself, shows that he was conscious of his own weakness to keep himself in the ways of God, and to direct his steps therein; and that he was sensible of, the need he stood in of divine power to uphold and support him in them;

[that] my footsteps slip not;
out of the paths of truth and duty, of faith and holiness; of which there is danger, should a man be left to himself, and destitute of divine direction and aid; see ( Psalms 73:2 ) ( Jeremiah 10:23 ) ; and though Christ had no moral weakness in him, and was in no danger of falling into sin, or slipping out of the ways of God; yet these words may be applied to him in a good sense, as considered in human nature, and attended with the sinless infirmities of it, he being God's servant, whom he upheld, and of whom he gave his angels charge to keep him in all his ways, ( Isaiah 42:1 ) ( Psalms 91:11 ) .

Psalms 17:5 In-Context

3 Thou hast proved mine heart; thou hast visited me in the night; thou hast tried me, and shalt find nothing; I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.
4 Concerning the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer.
5 Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not.
6 I have called upon thee, for thou wilt hear me, O God: incline thine ear unto me, and hear my speech.
7 Shew thy marvellous lovingkindness, O thou that savest by thy right hand them which put their trust in thee from those that rise up against them.

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. slip...: Heb. be not moved
The King James Version is in the public domain.