Psalms 66:9
Which holdeth our soul in life, and suffereth not our feet to be moved.
Original Language Analysis
הַשָּׂ֣ם
Which holdeth
H7760
הַשָּׂ֣ם
Which holdeth
Strong's:
H7760
Word #:
1 of 7
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
נַ֭פְשֵׁנוּ
our soul
H5315
נַ֭פְשֵׁנוּ
our soul
Strong's:
H5315
Word #:
2 of 7
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
בַּֽחַיִּ֑ים
in life
H2416
בַּֽחַיִּ֑ים
in life
Strong's:
H2416
Word #:
3 of 7
alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin
וְלֹֽא
H3808
וְלֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
4 of 7
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
נָתַ֖ן
and suffereth
H5414
נָתַ֖ן
and suffereth
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
5 of 7
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
Cross References
Psalms 121:3He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.Psalms 94:18When I said, My foot slippeth; thy mercy, O LORD, held me up.Psalms 112:6Surely he shall not be moved for ever: the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance.Acts 17:28For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.Psalms 22:29All they that be fat upon earth shall eat and worship: all they that go down to the dust shall bow before him: and none can keep alive his own soul.Psalms 62:2He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defence; I shall not be greatly moved.Psalms 125:3For the rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous; lest the righteous put forth their hands unto iniquity.1 Samuel 25:29Yet a man is risen to pursue thee, and to seek thy soul: but the soul of my lord shall be bound in the bundle of life with the LORD thy God; and the souls of thine enemies, them shall he sling out, as out of the middle of a sling.1 Samuel 2:9He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail.Psalms 62:6He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved.
Historical Context
This confidence in preservation reflects Israel's covenant relationship with Yahweh, who promised to keep His people despite their faithlessness. It anticipates the New Covenant promise that God will guard believers by His power through faith (1 Peter 1:5).
Questions for Reflection
- How does understanding that God actively holds your soul in life change your perspective on daily challenges?
- What does it mean practically that your feet cannot be moved by God's sovereign protection?
- How does this promise of preservation relate to the doctrine of eternal security and perseverance of the saints?
Analysis & Commentary
God 'holdeth our soul in life' expresses His active, sustaining providence—believers live not by their own strength but by God's preserving grace (Acts 17:28). The phrase 'suffereth not our feet to be moved' echoes Psalm 121:3, promising divine protection from fatal stumbling. This is not a guarantee against all trials, but assurance that God will preserve His elect unto final salvation, preventing apostasy and ultimate destruction.