Psalms 94:18
When I said, My foot slippeth; thy mercy, O LORD, held me up.
Original Language Analysis
אִם
H518
אִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
1 of 7
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
רַגְלִ֑י
My foot
H7272
רַגְלִ֑י
My foot
Strong's:
H7272
Word #:
4 of 7
a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda
חַסְדְּךָ֥
thy mercy
H2617
חַסְדְּךָ֥
thy mercy
Strong's:
H2617
Word #:
5 of 7
kindness; by implication (towards god) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty
Cross References
Psalms 121:3He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.Isaiah 41:10Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.Psalms 38:16For I said, Hear me, lest otherwise they should rejoice over me: when my foot slippeth, they magnify themselves against me.Luke 22:32But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.Psalms 17:5Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not.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 73:2But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped.1 Peter 1:5Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
Historical Context
The imagery likely draws from mountainous Judean terrain where a slipped foot could prove fatal. Shepherds and travelers constantly navigated treacherous paths. David's wilderness years would have familiarized him with such close calls—literal and metaphorical.
Questions for Reflection
- What recent moment of 'slipping' required God's chesed to prevent your fall?
- How does knowing God upholds rather than condemns your stumbles change your response to failure?
- Where do you need to declare 'Thy mercy held me up' as testimony to sustaining grace?
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Analysis & Commentary
When I said, My foot slippeth (אָמַרְתִּי מָטָה רַגְלִי)—The moment of recognizing imminent fall. Matah (slip/totter/give way) captures that instant when balance fails and collapse begins. Thy mercy, O LORD, held me up (חַסְדְּךָ יְהוָה יִסְעָדֵנִי)—chesed (steadfast covenant love) becomes saad (support/uphold). The slip happened, but the fall was arrested.
This describes sanctification's rhythm: stumbling met by sustaining grace. Not sinless perfection but preserved progress. Jude 24 promises God 'is able to keep you from falling'—not preventing temptation but providing divine support when we stagger. Peter's sinking walk on water (Matthew 14:30-31) illustrates Jesus catching what chesed arrests.