Psalms 73:26
Psalms 73:26 in Multiple Translations
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.
My flesh and my heart faileth; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever.
My flesh and my heart are wasting away: but God is the Rock of my heart and my eternal heritage.
My body and my mind may fail, but God is the foundation of my life. He is mine forever!
My flesh fayleth and mine heart also: but God is the strength of mine heart, and my portion for euer.
Consumed hath been my flesh and my heart, The rock of my heart and my portion [is] God to the age.
My flesh and my heart fails, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.
My body and my mind may become very weak, but God, you continue to enable me to be strong; I belong to you forever.
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 73:26
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Psalms 73:26 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
כָּלָ֥ה
שְׁאֵרִ֗/י
וּ/לְבָ֫בִ֥/י
צוּר
לְבָבִ֥/י
וְ/חֶלְקִ֗/י
אֱלֹהִ֥ים
לְ/עוֹלָֽם
כָּלָ֥ה
kâlâh
H3615
to end
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
שְׁאֵרִ֗/י
shᵉʼêr
H7607
flesh
N-ms | Suff
וּ/לְבָ֫בִ֥/י
lêbâb
H3824
heart
Conj | N-ms | Suff
צוּר
tsûwr
H6697
rock
N-ms
לְבָבִ֥/י
lêbâb
H3824
heart
N-ms | Suff
וְ/חֶלְקִ֗/י
chêleq
H2506
portion
Conj | N-ms | Suff
אֱלֹהִ֥ים
ʼĕlôhîym
H430
God
N-mp
לְ/עוֹלָֽם
ʻôwlâm
H5769
forever
Prep | N-ms
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 73:26
כָּלָ֥ה
kâlâh
H3615
"to end"
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to finish or end something, like completing a task or using up a resource, as seen in Genesis 2:2 where God finished creating the heavens and earth.
Definition: : finish 1) to accomplish, cease, consume, determine, end, fail, finish, be complete, be accomplished, be ended, be at an end, be finished, be spent 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be complete, be at an end 1a2) to be completed, be finished 1a3) to be accomplished, be fulfilled 1a4) to be determined, be plotted (bad sense) 1a5) to be spent, be used up 1a6) to waste away, be exhausted, fail 1a7) to come to an end, vanish, perish, be destroyed 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to complete, bring to an end, finish 1b2) to complete (a period of time) 1b3) to finish (doing a thing) 1b4) to make an end, end 1b5) to accomplish, fulfil, bring to pass 1b6) to accomplish, determine (in thought) 1b7) to put an end to, cause to cease 1b8) to cause to fail, exhaust, use up, spend 1b9) to destroy, exterminate 1c) (Pual) to be finished, be ended, be completed
Usage: Occurs in 199 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, cease, consume (away), determine, destroy (utterly), be (when... were) done, (be an) end (of), expire, (cause to) fail, faint, finish, fulfil, [idiom] fully, [idiom] have, leave (off), long, bring to pass, wholly reap, make clean riddance, spend, quite take away, waste. See also: Genesis 2:1; 2 Chronicles 29:17; Psalms 18:38.
שְׁאֵרִ֗/י
shᵉʼêr
H7607
"flesh"
N-ms | Suff
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means flesh or body, and can also refer to food or relatives by blood. It appears in various forms, including in Genesis and Leviticus. The KJV translates it as body, flesh, or kin.
Definition: 1) flesh, food, body, near kin, near kinswoman 1a) flesh 1a1) as food 1a2) for physical power (fig) 1b) flesh relation, blood relation 1c) self Also means: sha.a.rah (שַׁאֲרָה "kinswomen" H7608)
Usage: Occurs in 16 OT verses. KJV: body, flesh, food, (near) kin(-sman, -swoman), near (nigh) (of kin). See also: Exodus 21:10; Psalms 73:26; Psalms 78:20.
וּ/לְבָ֫בִ֥/י
lêbâb
H3824
"heart"
Conj | N-ms | Suff
The heart is the innermost part of a person, including their mind, will, and emotions. In the book of Psalms, David talks about his heart being heavy with sorrow, while in the book of Proverbs, it discusses the importance of guarding one's heart.
Definition: 1) inner man, mind, will, heart, soul, understanding 1a) inner part, midst 1a1) midst (of things) 1a2) heart (of man) 1a3) soul, heart (of man) 1a4) mind, knowledge, thinking, reflection, memory 1a5) inclination, resolution, determination (of will) 1a6) conscience 1a7) heart (of moral character) 1a8) as seat of appetites 1a9) as seat of emotions and passions 1a10) as seat of courage Aramaic equivalent: le.vav (לְבַב "heart" H3825)
Usage: Occurs in 230 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] bethink themselves, breast, comfortably, courage, ((faint), (tender-) heart(-ed), midst, mind, [idiom] unawares, understanding. See also: Genesis 20:5; 1 Chronicles 17:2; Psalms 4:5.
צוּר
tsûwr
H6697
"rock"
N-ms
A rock or boulder, often used to describe God as a refuge, like in Psalm 18:2.
Definition: 1) rock, cliff 1a) rocky wall, cliff 1b) rock (with flat surface) 1c) block of stone, boulder 1d) rock (specific) 1e) rock (of God) 1f) rock (of heathen gods) n pr dei 1g) Rock Aramaic equivalent: tur (טוּר "mountain" H2906)
Usage: Occurs in 74 OT verses. KJV: edge, [idiom] (mighty) God (one), rock, [idiom] sharp, stone, [idiom] strength, [idiom] strong. See also H1049 (בֵּית צוּר). See also: Exodus 17:6; Psalms 28:1; Psalms 18:3.
לְבָבִ֥/י
lêbâb
H3824
"heart"
N-ms | Suff
The heart is the innermost part of a person, including their mind, will, and emotions. In the book of Psalms, David talks about his heart being heavy with sorrow, while in the book of Proverbs, it discusses the importance of guarding one's heart.
Definition: 1) inner man, mind, will, heart, soul, understanding 1a) inner part, midst 1a1) midst (of things) 1a2) heart (of man) 1a3) soul, heart (of man) 1a4) mind, knowledge, thinking, reflection, memory 1a5) inclination, resolution, determination (of will) 1a6) conscience 1a7) heart (of moral character) 1a8) as seat of appetites 1a9) as seat of emotions and passions 1a10) as seat of courage Aramaic equivalent: le.vav (לְבַב "heart" H3825)
Usage: Occurs in 230 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] bethink themselves, breast, comfortably, courage, ((faint), (tender-) heart(-ed), midst, mind, [idiom] unawares, understanding. See also: Genesis 20:5; 1 Chronicles 17:2; Psalms 4:5.
וְ/חֶלְקִ֗/י
chêleq
H2506
"portion"
Conj | N-ms | Suff
Smoothness can refer to flattering words, but also to an inheritance or a portion of something. It appears in Psalms and Proverbs, describing the smooth tongue of a deceiver.
Definition: 1) portion, share, part, territory 1a) portion, share 1b) portion, tract, parcel (of land) 1c) one's portion, one's possession 1d) (chosen) portion 1e) portion, award (from God) Aramaic equivalent: cha.laq (חֲלָק "portion" H2508)
Usage: Occurs in 63 OT verses. KJV: flattery, inheritance, part, [idiom] partake, portion. See also: Genesis 14:24; Job 27:13; Psalms 16:5.
אֱלֹהִ֥ים
ʼĕlôhîym
H430
"God"
N-mp
The Hebrew word for God, elohim, refers to the one supreme God, and is sometimes used to show respect to judges or magistrates. It is also used to describe angels or mighty beings. This word is closely related to the name of the Lord, Yahweh, and is often translated as God or gods in the Bible.
Definition: This name means "gods" (plural intensive-singular meaning), "God" Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)
Usage: Occurs in 2246 OT verses. KJV: angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 22:12; Exodus 3:11.
לְ/עוֹלָֽם
ʻôwlâm
H5769
"forever"
Prep | N-ms
This word means forever or always, describing something that lasts an eternity. It is used in the Bible to describe God's eternal nature and his lasting promises.
Definition: : old/ancient 1) long duration, antiquity, futurity, for ever, ever, everlasting, evermore, perpetual, old, ancient, world 1a) ancient time, long time (of past) 1b) (of future) 1b1) for ever, always 1b2) continuous existence, perpetual 1b3) everlasting, indefinite or unending future, eternity
Usage: Occurs in 413 OT verses. KJV: alway(-s), ancient (time), any more, continuance, eternal, (for, (n-)) ever(-lasting, -more, of old), lasting, long (time), (of) old (time), perpetual, at any time, (beginning of the) world ([phrase] without end). Compare H5331 (נֶצַח), H5703 (עַד). See also: Genesis 3:22; 1 Kings 8:13; Psalms 5:12.
Study Notes — Psalms 73:26
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 73:26 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 73:26
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 73:26
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 73:26
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 73:26
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 73:26
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 73:26
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 73:26
- Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 73:26
- Sermons on Psalms 73:26
Context — Surely God Is Good to Israel
24You guide me with Your counsel, and later receive me in glory.
25Whom have I in heaven but You? And on earth I desire no one besides You.
26My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
27Those far from You will surely perish; You destroy all who are unfaithful to You. 28But as for me, it is good to draw near to God. I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, that I may proclaim all Your works.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 Corinthians 12:9–10 | But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me. That is why, for the sake of Christ, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. |
| 2 | Isaiah 40:29–31 | He gives power to the faint and increases the strength of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall. But those who wait upon the LORD will renew their strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint. |
| 3 | Psalms 138:3 | On the day I called, You answered me; You emboldened me and strengthened my soul. |
| 4 | Psalms 18:2 | The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer. My God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. |
| 5 | 2 Corinthians 4:8–10 | We are hard pressed on all sides, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. |
| 6 | 2 Corinthians 4:16–18 | Therefore we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, yet our inner self is being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal glory that is far beyond comparison. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. |
| 7 | Psalms 16:5–6 | The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; You have made my lot secure. The lines of my boundary have fallen in pleasant places; surely my inheritance is delightful. |
| 8 | Psalms 84:2 | My soul longs, even faints, for the courts of the LORD; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. |
| 9 | Psalms 63:1 | O God, You are my God. Earnestly I seek You; my soul thirsts for You. My body yearns for You in a dry and weary land without water. |
| 10 | Lamentations 3:24 | “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in Him.” |
Psalms 73:26 Summary
[Psalms 73:26 is a beautiful reminder that even when our bodies and hearts feel weak, God is our strength and our forever portion. This means He gives us the power to keep going, even when we feel like giving up, as seen in Philippians 4:13. He is our eternal inheritance, and with Him, we have everything we need to be satisfied and fulfilled, as expressed in Psalms 16:5-6. By trusting in God's strength and promises, we can face any challenge that comes our way, knowing that He will never leave or forsake us, as promised in Deuteronomy 31:6.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean that 'my flesh and my heart may fail' in Psalms 73:26?
This phrase acknowledges that our physical bodies and emotional hearts are weak and prone to failure, but as seen in Psalms 42:11, God is our hope and salvation, giving us strength in times of weakness.
How can God be the 'strength of my heart' as stated in Psalms 73:26?
God is the strength of our hearts because He gives us courage, comfort, and guidance, as promised in Deuteronomy 31:6, where it says He will never leave or forsake us.
What does it mean that God is 'my portion forever' in Psalms 73:26?
This means that God is our eternal inheritance and the source of our joy, satisfaction, and fulfillment, as expressed in Psalms 16:5-6, where David says God is his portion and cup, and he has a beautiful inheritance.
How can I apply Psalms 73:26 to my life when I'm feeling weak or failing?
When you're feeling weak, remember that God is your strength, as stated in Philippians 4:13, which says you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you, and trust in His power to carry you through, as seen in Isaiah 40:29, where He gives power to the weak.
Reflection Questions
- In what ways do you feel your 'flesh and heart' failing you right now, and how can you turn to God for strength?
- What are some things in your life that you're trying to find strength and comfort in, aside from God, and how can you surrender them to Him?
- How does the promise that God is your 'portion forever' give you hope and comfort in times of uncertainty?
- What are some ways you can 'draw near to God' as mentioned in Psalms 73:28, and make Him your refuge in times of weakness?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 73:26
My flesh and my heart faileth,.... Either through vehement desires of communion with God deferred, see Psalms 84:2 or through afflictive dispensations of Providence, being smitten and chastened
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 73:26
Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. -His joy in God as his portion, in contrast to the final destruction of all who go from God. Verse 25. Whom have I in heaven (but thee)?
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 73:26
In myself, I confess I am a poor weak creature, and my body and spirit may fail and be ready to faint under such temptations and tribulations as these, and I know I shall shortly return to the dust, out of which I was taken. But though I have no strength in myself; I have it in God, my never-failing refuge, to whom I will trust whilst I live, and who will be my portion to eternity.
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 73:26
Psalms 73:26 My flesh and my heart faileth: [but] God [is] the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.Ver. 26. My flesh faileth, and my heart faileth] Some think that the psalmist, through egression of affection unto God, having spent and exhaled his spirits, fell into a swoon; out of which he recovered again by the joy of the Lord, which was his strength, even the rock of his heart. The Greek saith, The God of my heart.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 73:26
Verse 26. My flesh - faileth] I shall soon die: and my heart - even my natural courage, will fail; and no support but what is supernatural will then be available. Therefore, he adds, - God is the strength of my heart] Literally, the rock of my heart. And my portion] Allusion is here made to the division of the promised land. I ask no inheritance below; I look for one above. I do not look for this in the possession of any place; it is GOD alone that can content the desires and wishes of an immortal spirit. And even this would not satisfy, had I not the prospect of its being for ever, לעולם leolum, "to eternity!'
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 73:26
26. God is the strength of my heart] Lit., the rock of my heart. Though bodily and mental powers fail, God is his sure refuge in every danger (Psalms 62:2; Psalms 62:6-7), the possession which cannot be taken from him (Psalms 16:5; Psalms 142:5). Never, now that he has come to his right mind, will he look for any other refuge (Isaiah 44:8), or envy those “whose portion in life is of the world” (Psalms 17:14).
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 73:26
My flesh and my heart faileth - Flesh and heart here seem to refer to the whole man, body and soul; and the idea is, that his powers of body and mind failed; were spent; were exhausted.
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 73:26
26. My flesh and my heart faileth— “Flesh” and “heart” contrasted, as here, embrace the total makeup of man.
Sermons on Psalms 73:26
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Battling the Unbelief of Despondency by John Piper | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of finding trusted friends to open up to and seek support from during difficult times. He uses the example of Jesus choosing P |
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One of the Master's Choice Sayings by C.H. Spurgeon | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes that as believers, we should not be burdened by excessive serving or suffering. Our surroundings should not have control over us, but rather |
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Three Life Changing Truths by Zac Poonen | This sermon emphasizes three key points: Without Christ, we can do nothing of eternal value, highlighting the importance of humility and dependence on God. With Christ, we can do e |
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He Is Our Food and Drink by Scott Hynds | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of perceiving and tasting the presence of God in our lives. He encourages the audience to draw nearer to God, as He will draw |
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The Lord My Portion by Octavius Winslow | Octavius Winslow emphasizes that the Lord is our true portion, contrasting the earthly possessions that can distract us from our spiritual inheritance. He reflects on the Levites, |
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Spiritual Strength by Martyn-Lloyd Jones | Martyn-Lloyd Jones emphasizes the paradox of spiritual strength in the Christian life, where acknowledging our weakness allows God's grace to infuse us with power. He reflects on t |
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Are You Mad at God? by David Wilkerson | David Wilkerson addresses the dangerous resentment many Christians harbor against God, stemming from unmet expectations and unanswered prayers. He shares the story of David Flood, |