Psalms 73:2

KJV

But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped.

KJV (with Strong's)

But as for me, my feet {H7272} were almost {H4592} gone {H5186}{H8804)}{H8675)}{H5186}{H8803)}; my steps {H838} had well nigh {H369} slipped {H8210}{H8795)}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But as for me, I lost my balance, my feet nearly slipped,

Berean Standard Bible

But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; my steps had nearly slipped.

American Standard Version

But as for me, my feet were almost gone; My steps had well nigh slipped.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 73:2 serves as a raw, honest confession from Asaph, the psalmist, revealing a profound spiritual crisis where his faith was severely shaken. He admits that he was on the very brink of apostasy, his spiritual footing so precarious that his steps had nearly veered off the path of righteousness. This verse immediately sets the stage for the entire psalm, which chronicles his intense struggle with the apparent prosperity of the wicked and the seeming futility of his own devotion, before culminating in a transformative encounter with God's ultimate justice and enduring presence.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 73 opens the third book of the Psalter and is the first of eleven psalms attributed to Asaph, a prominent Levite and chief musician in David's court. This psalm is a wisdom psalm, grappling with the profound theological problem of theodicy – how a just and good God can allow the wicked to prosper while the righteous suffer. Verse 2 immediately plunges the reader into Asaph's personal turmoil, contrasting sharply with the confident declaration of God's goodness in [Psalms 73:1](/psalms/73-1 "Psalms 73:1 - God's Goodness to Israel"). The psalmist's near-fall is the central tension that drives the narrative forward, leading to his detailed observations of the ungodly in [Psalms 73:3-12](/psalms/73-3 "Psalms 73:3-12 - The Prosperity of the Wicked"), his despair in [Psalms 73:13-14](/psalms/73-13 "Psalms 73:13-14 - Asaph's Despair"), and ultimately his pivotal turning point when he [entered the sanctuary of God](/psalms/73-17 "Psalms 73:17 - Asaph's Turning Point in the Sanctuary"), gaining divine perspective on the ultimate end of the wicked and the eternal security of the righteous.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, there was a strong cultural and theological expectation that righteousness would lead to material prosperity and well-being, while wickedness would result in suffering and misfortune (a concept often referred to as "retribution theology," prominent in books like Deuteronomy and Proverbs). Asaph, as a Levite and leader of worship, would have been deeply steeped in this understanding. His crisis of faith in [Psalms 73:2](/psalms/73-2 "Psalms 73:2 - Asaph's Spiritual Crisis") stems directly from observing the apparent contradiction to this principle: the wicked seemed to flourish without consequence, living lives of ease and arrogance, while he, who sought to live righteously, experienced affliction. This challenged his understanding of God's justice and the very foundation of his covenant relationship with Yahweh. The "sanctuary" mentioned later in [Psalms 73:17](/psalms/73-17 "Psalms 73:17 - The Sanctuary as a Place of Understanding") would have been the Temple in Jerusalem, the central place of worship and divine revelation, highlighting the importance of corporate worship and seeking God's presence for clarity.
* **Key Themes:** This verse introduces several crucial themes that permeate the psalm. Firstly, it highlights the **fragility of faith** when confronted with perplexing realities, demonstrating that even devoted believers can experience profound doubt and near-apostasy. Secondly, it underscores the **peril of envy and comparison**, as Asaph's spiritual stumble was directly fueled by his focus on the apparent success of the ungodly, leading him to question the value of his own piety (as seen in [Psalms 73:3](/psalms/73-3 "Psalms 73:3 - Envy of the Arrogant")). Thirdly, it emphasizes the importance of **honest confession and lament** before God, as Asaph does not hide his struggle but brings his deepest doubts into the open. Finally, the verse subtly introduces the theme of **divine preservation**, for while Asaph's feet *almost* slipped, they did not completely fall, foreshadowing the ultimate divine intervention and renewed stability he finds later in the psalm, echoing the Lord's promise to uphold the righteous, as seen in [Psalms 37:24](/psalms/37-24 "Psalms 37:24 - Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Gone (Hebrew, _kāmoṭū_):** From the root מוט (*môṭ*), meaning "to totter," "to waver," "to be shaken," or "to slip." This word vividly portrays a loss of stability and balance, as if one is standing on an unstable surface and is about to fall. In the context of "feet," it suggests a physical instability that directly reflects a spiritual or moral instability. Asaph is not merely stumbling; he is on the verge of collapsing entirely from his spiritual standing.
* **Slipped (Hebrew, _nāṭū_):** From the root נטה (*nāṭāh*), meaning "to stretch out," "to incline," "to turn aside," or "to deviate." When applied to "steps," it implies a deviation from the intended or correct path. It's not just a loss of balance but a turning away, a swerving from the straight and narrow. This suggests a moral or spiritual deflection, where Asaph was close to abandoning the righteous path he had committed to follow.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But as for me":** This opening phrase establishes a stark contrast. It immediately sets Asaph apart from others, implicitly the wicked whose prosperity he observed, and explicitly marks the beginning of his personal, deeply internal struggle. It signals a shift from general observation to a raw, individual confession of vulnerability and near-failure.
* **"my feet were almost gone":** This clause uses a powerful metaphor of physical instability to describe a spiritual crisis. "Feet" represent one's walk, conduct, and standing in life, particularly one's spiritual journey and adherence to God's ways. The phrase "almost gone" conveys the extreme precariousness of Asaph's spiritual state; he was on the very precipice of abandoning his faith or collapsing under the weight of his doubts, teetering on the edge of apostasy.
* **"my steps had well nigh slipped":** Reinforcing the previous clause, "steps" further emphasizes the direction and progress of one's life. "Well nigh slipped" indicates that his moral and spiritual trajectory was on the verge of veering off course. It suggests a near-deviation from the path of righteousness, a dangerous inclination towards cynicism, bitterness, or outright rejection of God's justice due to his internal turmoil and misperception of reality.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 73:2 is rich in literary devices that amplify its emotional and theological impact. The most prominent is **Metaphor**, where "feet" and "steps" are used to represent Asaph's spiritual stability, moral conduct, and adherence to the path of righteousness. The imagery of "almost gone" and "well nigh slipped" vividly conveys a sense of imminent spiritual collapse and deviation. This physical imagery makes the abstract concept of spiritual doubt tangible and relatable. The verse also employs **Confession**, as Asaph lays bare his inner turmoil with striking honesty, setting a tone of vulnerability that invites the reader into his struggle. Furthermore, there is an implied **Contrast** with the wicked, whose seemingly stable and prosperous "steps" (as described later in the psalm) highlight the perplexing instability of the righteous psalmist. The use of **Hyperbole** ("almost gone," "well nigh slipped") underscores the extreme nature of his spiritual crisis, emphasizing just how close he felt to complete failure.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 73:2 connects deeply with the broader biblical narrative concerning the problem of evil, the suffering of the righteous, and the ultimate vindication of God's justice. Asaph's struggle is a timeless human experience, reflecting the tension between present circumstances and eternal realities. His near-fall highlights the importance of perspective—an earthly, temporal view often leads to doubt, while a divine, eternal perspective (gained in the sanctuary) reveals God's perfect plan and ultimate judgment. This verse underscores that God's people are not immune to profound spiritual struggles, and that honest lament and questioning are part of a healthy faith journey, ultimately leading to a deeper understanding and trust in God's sovereignty, even when His ways are inscrutable.

* [Job 21:7](/job/21-7 "Job 21:7 - Why do the wicked live on?")
* [Jeremiah 12:1](/jeremiah/12-1 "Jeremiah 12:1 - Why does the way of the wicked prosper?")
* [Habakkuk 1:13](/habakkuk/1-13 "Habakkuk 1:13 - God's Purity and the Wicked")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Asaph's raw confession in Psalms 73:2 offers profound comfort and validation for believers navigating their own seasons of doubt and spiritual uncertainty. It reminds us that spiritual struggle is not a sign of weakness or a lack of faith, but a common human experience, even for those deeply committed to God. Asaph's willingness to articulate his near-fall encourages us to bring our whole selves—including our doubts, frustrations, and questions—before God, rather than suppressing them. This verse serves as a powerful warning against the dangers of comparison and envy, which can quickly erode our spiritual footing when we focus on the apparent ease of others rather than on God's unchanging character and promises. Ultimately, Asaph's journey from near-slip to renewed stability (as revealed later in the psalm) provides a roadmap: when our steps feel precarious, the path to stability lies in seeking God's perspective, trusting in His ultimate justice, and clinging to His presence as our greatest good.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **When have you felt your own "feet almost gone" or "steps well nigh slipped" in your spiritual journey? What circumstances led to that feeling?**
* **How does Asaph's honesty in this verse encourage you to be more transparent with God about your own doubts and struggles?**
* **What are the "wicked" or "prosperous" influences in your life that might tempt you to question God's justice or the value of your faith?**
* **What steps can you take to re-establish your spiritual footing when you feel yourself wavering, drawing lessons from Asaph's eventual resolution?**

### FAQ
**What does it mean for "feet" and "steps" to "almost slip" in a spiritual sense?**

Answer: In a spiritual sense, "feet" and "steps" metaphorically represent one's spiritual walk, conduct, and adherence to God's path. For them to "almost slip" or be "almost gone" means that the psalmist was on the very brink of abandoning his faith, deviating from righteous living, or succumbing to cynicism and despair. It signifies a profound crisis of faith where his commitment to God and His ways was severely tested and nearly broken. This is a common biblical metaphor, as seen in [Proverbs 4:26](/proverbs/4-26 "Proverbs 4:26 - Ponder the path of thy feet") which speaks of pondering the path of one's feet, or [Psalms 40:2](/psalms/40-2 "Psalms 40:2 - He set my feet upon a rock") where God sets one's feet upon a rock, indicating stability.

**Was Asaph close to losing his salvation or becoming an apostate?**

Answer: The language "almost gone" and "well nigh slipped" suggests Asaph was indeed on the precipice of a significant spiritual fall, potentially even apostasy, in his heart and mind. While the psalm doesn't explicitly state he lost his salvation (and indeed, he recovers his faith), it powerfully illustrates the real and dangerous possibility of spiritual deviation, even for a devoted servant of God. His experience serves as a warning that faith is not static but requires constant vigilance and a reliance on God's sustaining grace. It highlights that even true believers can experience profound doubt and question God's justice, but God's faithfulness can prevent a complete and final fall, as [1 Corinthians 10:13](/1_corinthians/10-13 "1 Corinthians 10:13 - God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able") suggests, He will not allow us to be tempted beyond what we can bear.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 73:2, with Asaph's raw confession of a near-slip from faith, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in several ways. Firstly, it highlights the reality of human frailty and the struggle with doubt, a struggle that Jesus, though divine, fully entered into as a man. While Jesus never "slipped" in His faith or obedience, His own experience of intense temptation in the wilderness ([Matthew 4:1-11](/matthew/4-1 "Matthew 4:1-11 - The Temptation of Jesus")) and His agony in Gethsemane ([Luke 22:42-44](/luke/22-42 "Luke 22:42-44 - Jesus' Prayer in Gethsemane")) demonstrate the real pressure and spiritual battle against which even the righteous must contend. Secondly, Asaph's ultimate resolution, found in entering the sanctuary and gaining divine perspective ([Psalms 73:17](/psalms/73-17 "Psalms 73:17 - Asaph's Understanding in the Sanctuary")), foreshadows Christ as our ultimate "sanctuary" and the source of all true understanding. In Christ, we find the definitive answer to the problem of suffering and evil, for He, the perfectly righteous one, suffered unjustly and profoundly, yet through His death and resurrection, He conquered sin and death, guaranteeing ultimate justice and eternal life for His followers ([Philippians 2:8-11](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8-11 - Christ's Humiliation and Exaltation")). Finally, Asaph's preservation from a complete fall points to Christ as the one who sustains His people. He is the Good Shepherd who holds His sheep firmly in His hand, ensuring that none who are truly His will ultimately perish or be snatched away ([John 10:28-29](/john/10-28 "John 10:28-29 - No one can snatch them out of my hand")). Our stability, when our feet feel "almost gone," is not in our own strength but in His unwavering faithfulness and the secure foundation of His finished work.

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 94:18

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

1 Samuel 2:9

He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail.

Psalms 116:8

For thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, [and] my feet from falling.

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 17:5

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

Psalms 17:15

As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.

1 Samuel 12:23

Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way: