Psalm 73:2

Translations

Modern

But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; my steps had nearly slipped.

Traditional

But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped.

Literal

And as for me, at a little stretching out of my feet, my steps had nearly poured out.

Latin

Mei autem pene moti sunt pedes, pene effusi sunt gressus mei:

Original

Hebrew

English

But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; my steps had nearly slipped.

Notes

Psalms 73:2–3

The poet thinks it is unfair that wicked people prosper (see Psalm 72:7) and feels upset about it.
The psalmist almost strayed from the path of wisdom and godliness (see Psalm 17:5; 37:31), but God prevented him from completely losing his way (38:16; 66:9; 94:18; 121:3).
when I saw the prosperity of the wicked: Compare Psalm 72:3, 7.

Psalms 73:1–28

This wisdom psalm looks at the injustice of the prosperity of the wicked. The psalmist states that God is good to the godly, but his own experience is different (Psalm 73:2–12).

Almost overwhelmed by doubt (Psalm 73:13–16), the psalmist meets the Lord in the sanctuary. This meeting gives him a broader view and renews his trust in God (Psalm 73:17–26). His troubling doubts lead to a stronger desire for truth. He knows he can trust God and that God will save him (Psalm 73:27–28).

Psalms 73:1–75:10

The seeming success of the wicked (Psalm 73) and God's apparent rejection of his people (Psalm 74) raise questions about his justice. God rules the entire world and decides when to judge (Psalm 75).

Theme notes and profiles

Complaints Material Reward Questions and Doubt Wisdom Psalms

Related verses

Psalm 94:18
If I say, “My foot is slipping,” Your loving devotion, O LORD, supports me.
1 Samuel 2:9
He guards the steps of His faithful ones, but the wicked perish in darkness; for by his own strength shall no man prevail.
Psalm 116:8
For You have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling.
Psalm 38:16
For I said, “Let them not gloat over me—those who taunt me when my foot slips.”
Psalm 17:5
My steps have held to Your paths; my feet have not slipped.
Joshua 24:15
But if it is unpleasing in your sight to serve the LORD, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living. As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD!”
Psalm 5:7
But I will enter Your house by the abundance of Your loving devotion; in reverence I will bow down toward Your holy temple.
Psalm 17:15
As for me, I will behold Your face in righteousness; when I awake, I will be satisfied in Your presence.
1 Samuel 12:23
As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray for you. And I will continue to teach you the good and right way.
Romans 7:23–24
But I see another law at work in my body, warring against the law of my mind and holding me captive to the law of sin that dwells within me.
Psalm 35:13
Yet when they were ill, I put on sackcloth; I humbled myself with fasting, but my prayers returned unanswered.
Job 21:4
Is my complaint against a man? Then why should I not be impatient?

Glossary

Asaph Music Poor, the Prayer Proverbs, Book of Psalms, Book of

Topics

Blindness: Spiritual God: Providence of, Mysterious and Misinterpreted Integrity: General Scriptures Concerning Temptation: Resistance To Wicked (People): Contrasted with Righteous People Wicked (People): Punishment of Worldliness: General Scriptures Concerning

Psalm 73:2

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