Psalms 73:2

2 But I nearly missed it, missed seeing his goodness.

Psalms 73:2 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 73:2

But as for me
Who am one of the Israel of God whose heart has been renewed and purified by the grace of God, and to whom he has been kind and good in a thousand instances; yet, ungrateful creature that I am,

my feet were almost gone;
out of the good ways of God, the ways of truth and holiness just upon the turn, ready to forsake them, and give up all religion as a vain thing:

my steps had well nigh slipped,
or "poured out" F3 like water; the allusion is to standing on wet and slippery ground, where a man can scarcely keep upon his feet. It may be observed, that good men are liable to slips and falls, to fall into sin, snares, and temptations, and from their steadfastness in the faith, but not totally and finally; their feet may be "almost", but not "altogether", gone: their steps may "well nigh" slip, but not "quite"; they may fall, but not be utterly cast down; at least they rise again, and are made to stand; for God is able to keep them, and does keep them, from a total and final falling away.


FOOTNOTES:

F3 (hkpv) "effusi sunt", V. L. Pagninus, Montanus, Cocceius; "effusi fuissent", Musculus, Gejerus, Michaelis.

Psalms 73:2 In-Context

1 No doubt about it! God is good - good to good people, good to the good-hearted.
2 But I nearly missed it, missed seeing his goodness.
3 I was looking the other way, looking up to the people
4 At the top, envying the wicked who have it made,
5 Who have nothing to worry about, not a care in the whole wide world.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.