Psalm 73:26 Text
King James Version (KJV)
My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.
World English Bible (WEB)
My flesh and my heart fails, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
What Psalm 73:26 Means
The speaker admits his body and heart can fail, and then says that God is the strength of his heart and his portion forever. It is a statement of honest limits followed by trust. Flesh and heart together means the whole person, physical and inner life, and the psalmist admits that both wear out. Portion refers to an inheritance or share, like the land assigned to each tribe in Israel, so calling God his portion means that God himself, not property or success, is what he has been given. This is often quoted at funerals and in illness because it does not deny weakness. It says that strength can come from outside oneself. The KJV says faileth, and the WEB says fails, and some versions use the word consumed or wasted. The verse concludes a long struggle in which the writer almost lost his faith.
Context of Psalm 73:26
Psalm 73 begins the third book of the Psalms and is attributed to Asaph, a worship leader associated with David's court. The writer confesses that he nearly slipped when he saw wicked people prospering while he suffered. He found clarity only when he entered the sanctuary and considered their end. By this verse he has returned to trust and says he desires nothing on earth besides God. To read the whole book, see random verse from Psalms.
How to Apply Psalm 73:26
When you feel worn thin, you can admit it without shame, because the psalmist does. Consider what you are leaning on for strength, whether work, approval, or health, and which of those could fail. You might pray this verse slowly, then ask someone for a concrete bit of help.
Related Verses
- Isaiah 40:29-31 – He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
- 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 – And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
- Psalm 28:7 – The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.
- Psalm 62:7 – In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.
Looking for more verses on this theme? Browse Bible Verses About Strength, each with a short note on its context.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does God is the strength of my heart mean?
It means that when the psalmist's own strength and courage fade, he finds his inner stability in God. The heart here stands for the center of a person, so it describes deep, steady support, not merely a boost of energy.
What is the context of Psalm 73:26?
Asaph, the psalm's writer, wrestled with envy at the apparent success of the wicked. After reflecting in the sanctuary he regained perspective and concluded that nearness to God matters more than anything else, even when his health and heart falter.
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