Psalms 17:5

KJV

Hold up my goings in thy paths, [that] my footsteps slip not.

KJV (with Strong's)

Hold up {H8551} my goings {H838} in thy paths {H4570}, that my footsteps {H6471} slip {H4131} not.

Complete Jewish Bible

my steps hold steadily to your paths, my feet do not slip.

Berean Standard Bible

My steps have held to Your paths; my feet have not slipped.

American Standard Version

My steps have held fast to thy paths, My feet have not slipped.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 17:5 is a profound prayer from David, expressing his deep reliance on God for unwavering guidance and steadfast stability in his life's journey. It encapsulates a plea for divine preservation, acknowledging human frailty and the ever-present danger of moral or spiritual deviation, while simultaneously affirming a commitment to walk faithfully in God's established ways. This verse serves as a timeless testament to the believer's absolute dependence on God's sustaining power to maintain integrity and perseverance in righteousness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 17 is a fervent individual lament and an appeal to God, the righteous Judge, for vindication and protection against wicked adversaries. David begins by asserting his own integrity before God (vv. 1-5), inviting divine scrutiny of his heart and actions. Verse 5, "Hold up my goings in thy paths, [that] my footsteps slip not," immediately follows his declaration in verse 4 that he has kept himself from the paths of the destroyer by the word of God's lips. This juxtaposition highlights that David's commitment to righteousness is not self-generated but requires continuous divine support. It is a prayer for active divine preservation, ensuring his continued adherence to God's moral and spiritual directives, thereby reinforcing his plea for justice against those who have strayed from those very paths.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Written by David, likely during a period of intense persecution or opposition (e.g., from Saul or Absalom), this psalm reflects the precariousness of life in ancient Israel, especially for a king. The concept of "paths" (Hebrew: _ma'galoteikha_) is a common biblical metaphor for one's way of life, moral conduct, or destiny, often contrasted with the "path of the wicked" (e.g., [Psalm 1:6](/psalms/1-6 "Psalm 1:6 - The Way of the Righteous and the Wicked")). In a society where physical journeys were often fraught with danger, the metaphor of "slipping" or "stumbling" would resonate deeply, symbolizing not just physical falls but moral failures, spiritual apostasy, or deviation from covenant faithfulness. David's prayer underscores the cultural understanding that true stability, especially for a leader, came from divine alignment and upholding.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the Psalms and broader biblical narrative. It underscores the theme of **Divine Preservation and Guidance**, emphasizing that human righteousness is not self-sufficient but sustained by God's active intervention. It highlights **Human Dependence on God**, revealing a profound awareness of personal weakness and the constant need for divine strength to avoid sin and error. Furthermore, it speaks to **Obedience and Righteous Living**, as David's desire is specifically to remain "in thy paths," signifying a commitment to God's revealed will and righteous standards. This aligns with wisdom literature's emphasis on choosing the [path of life](/proverbs/6-23 "Proverbs 6:23 - The Path of Life") over the [path of darkness](/proverbs/4-19 "Proverbs 4:19 - The Path of the Wicked").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Hold up (Hebrew, _tamakh'_):** This verb conveys the idea of grasping, upholding, supporting, or sustaining. It implies a firm, active, and continuous act of divine intervention. David is not asking for a momentary boost but for an ongoing, steadying hand that prevents him from losing his footing. It suggests a powerful, intimate, and protective relationship where God actively props up and maintains the believer's stability.
* **Paths (Hebrew, _ma'galoteikha'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to be round" or "to revolve," this word literally refers to the tracks or ruts made by a wagon wheel, implying established, well-worn ways. Metaphorically, it signifies God's unchanging, reliable moral and spiritual directives, His commandments, and His revealed will. These are not arbitrary routes but fixed, righteous courses of conduct that lead to life and blessing.
* **Slip (Hebrew, _môt'_):** This verb means to waver, totter, stumble, or fall. In a moral or spiritual context, it denotes deviation from righteousness, falling into sin, or experiencing spiritual instability. The negative construction, "slip not" (_lo timmot_), expresses a fervent desire for steadfastness, perseverance, and unwavering adherence to God's ways, acknowledging the constant threat of moral failure.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Hold up my goings":** This is a direct, earnest plea to God for active, divine support in David's life journey. "My goings" refers to his steps, his walk, his entire course of life and conduct. David recognizes that without God's continuous upholding, his own efforts to maintain a righteous path are insufficient. It is an admission of human frailty and a cry for supernatural assistance to navigate the complexities and temptations of life.
* **"in thy paths":** This crucial phrase specifies the desired direction and nature of David's "goings." He is not asking for stability on just any path, but specifically within the boundaries and directives of God's revealed will. This demonstrates his commitment to obedience and alignment with divine righteousness. It implies a conscious choice to walk according to God's standards, even as he acknowledges his need for divine enablement to do so consistently.
* **"[that] my footsteps slip not":** This clause reveals the purpose and desired outcome of God's upholding. It expresses the deep yearning for moral and spiritual steadfastness, to avoid stumbling into sin, error, or deviation from God's truth. It highlights the ever-present danger of falling away from righteousness and the profound dependence on God's power to remain firm and unyielding in the face of temptation and adversity.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful **literary devices**. The most prominent is **Metaphor**, where "goings," "paths," and "footsteps" are not literal physical movements but represent one's moral conduct, life journey, and spiritual trajectory. God's "paths" are a metaphor for His commandments and righteous ways, while "slipping" is a metaphor for moral failure or spiritual deviation. There is also an element of **Anthropomorphism** or **Personification** in the phrase "Hold up my goings," which attributes to God the human action of physically supporting or steadying someone's steps, thereby emphasizing His active, personal, and intimate involvement in the believer's life. The entire verse functions as a **Supplication** or **Prayer**, a direct and earnest appeal to God for divine assistance and preservation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 17:5 profoundly articulates the theological truth that while believers are called to walk in righteousness, their ability to do so consistently is entirely dependent on God's sustaining grace. It bridges the concepts of human responsibility and divine sovereignty, showing that our perseverance in faith is a work of God within us. This verse underscores the reality of human frailty and the ever-present temptation to stray, making the active, continuous upholding of God not merely desirable but essential for spiritual stability and growth. It speaks to the ongoing process of sanctification, where God empowers believers to live according to His will, guarding them against moral pitfalls and spiritual stumbling.

* [Proverbs 3:5](/proverbs/3-5 "Trust in the Lord with All Your Heart")
* [Proverbs 3:6](/proverbs/3-6 "Acknowledge Him in All Your Ways")
* [Psalm 37:23](/psalms/37-23 "The Steps of a Good Man")
* [Psalm 37:24](/psalms/37-24 "Though He Fall, He Shall Not Be Utterly Cast Down")
* [Jude 1:24](/jude/1-24 "God is Able to Keep You from Falling")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
In a world rife with moral ambiguities, shifting values, and constant temptations, Psalms 17:5 remains profoundly relevant for the contemporary believer. It serves as a vital reminder that our spiritual journey is not one we can navigate successfully in our own strength. Just as David, a man after God's own heart, recognized his need for divine upholding, so too must we acknowledge our inherent frailty and the ever-present danger of "slipping" from God's righteous paths. This verse calls us to cultivate a posture of continual dependence on God, actively seeking His guidance in every decision, big or small, and relying on His power to empower us to live according to His Word. It encourages us to pray earnestly for spiritual stability, to intentionally choose obedience to biblical principles even when difficult, and to find our steadfastness not in our own resolve, but in the unwavering faithfulness of our God who is able to keep us from falling.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific areas of your life do you most keenly feel the need for God to "hold up your goings" to prevent you from "slipping" morally or spiritually?**
* **How does acknowledging your own human frailty and susceptibility to temptation deepen your reliance on God's sustaining grace and power?**
* **What practical disciplines or habits can you cultivate to ensure your "footsteps" remain firmly "in God's paths" in your daily walk?**

### FAQ
**Is this verse primarily about physical safety or spiritual stability?**

Answer: While God certainly provides physical protection, the primary emphasis of Psalms 17:5 is on spiritual and moral stability. The "paths" refer to God's righteous ways or commandments, and "slipping" denotes moral failure, sin, or deviation from truth. David is praying for divine enablement to maintain his integrity and obedience in the face of temptation and opposition, ensuring his walk with God remains steadfast.

**How does God "hold up" our goings in His paths today?**

Answer: God "holds up" our goings through various means. Primarily, He does so through the indwelling of His Holy Spirit, who empowers believers to walk in obedience and resist sin (e.g., [Romans 8:4](/romans/8-4 "Romans 8:4 - Walking by the Spirit")). He also guides and sustains us through His inspired Word, which serves as a lamp to our feet and a light to our path (e.g., [Psalm 119:105](/psalms/119-105 "Psalm 119:105 - Your Word is a Lamp")). Furthermore, God provides providential guidance, wisdom, and the support of the Christian community, all working to keep us firm in His righteous ways.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 17:5 finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who is the perfect embodiment of one whose "goings" were flawlessly "in God's paths" and whose "footsteps" never "slipped." Unlike humanity, Jesus perfectly walked in complete obedience to the Father's will, even to the point of death on a cross (e.g., [Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience")). He declared Himself to be the [Way, the Truth, and the Life](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way"), meaning that God's "paths" are ultimately defined and embodied in Him. For believers, our ability to walk in God's paths and avoid slipping is not found in our own strength, but entirely in our union with Christ. He is our righteousness, and through His Holy Spirit, He empowers us to follow in His footsteps (e.g., [1 Peter 2:21](/1_peter/2-21 "1 Peter 2:21 - Christ's Example")), enabling us to live a life pleasing to God. He is the one who "is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy" (as seen in [Jude 1:24](/jude/1-24 "Jude 1:24 - God is Able to Keep You from Falling")). Thus, our stability and perseverance are secured in the one who perfectly walked the path and now sustains us by His grace.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 44:18

Our heart is not turned back, neither have our steps declined from thy way;

Psalms 119:133

¶ Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.

Psalms 18:36

Thou hast enlarged my steps under me, that my feet did not slip.

Psalms 121:3

He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.

Psalms 38:16

For I said, [Hear me], lest [otherwise] they should rejoice over me: when my foot slippeth, they magnify [themselves] against me.

Psalms 121:7

The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.

Psalms 94:18

When I said, My foot slippeth; thy mercy, O LORD, held me up.