Psalms 94:18

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

When I said {H559}{H8804)}, My foot {H7272} slippeth {H4131}{H8804)}; thy mercy {H2617}, O LORD {H3068}, held me up {H5582}{H8799)}.

Complete Jewish Bible

When I said, "My foot is slipping!"your grace, ADONAI, supported me.

Berean Standard Bible

If I say, “My foot is slipping,” Your loving devotion, O LORD, supports me.

American Standard Version

When I said, My foot slippeth; Thy lovingkindness, O Jehovah, held me up.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 94:18 profoundly captures the human experience of vulnerability and near collapse, juxtaposing it with the steadfast, active intervention of divine mercy. The psalmist confesses a moment of profound instability, akin to a foot slipping on treacherous ground, only to testify immediately to the Lord's unfailing covenant love and sustaining power that prevented a complete fall, offering a powerful assurance of God's faithful presence and support in times of weakness and despair.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 94 is a fervent appeal to God for justice against wicked oppressors who disregard divine law and afflict the innocent. The psalm opens with a passionate call for the Lord to act as a righteous judge, expressing frustration at the apparent triumph of evil and the arrogance of those who boast in their iniquity. Verses 1-7 detail the psalmist's lament over the injustices committed by the wicked, who "crush your people, O LORD, and afflict your heritage" ([Psalm 94:5](/psalms/94-5 "Psalm 94:5 - The Wicked Oppress God's People")). Verses 8-11 then shift to a theological argument, challenging the wicked's belief that God does not see or understand their actions, asserting God's omniscience and judgment. Amidst this broader plea for divine intervention against external enemies, verse 18 marks a significant internal shift, revealing a personal moment of the psalmist's own struggle and near collapse. This personal confession underscores the psalmist's reliance on God's character, even as he cries out for justice for the nation, highlighting that divine sustenance is needed both individually and corporately.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The psalmist's cry for justice likely reflects a period of oppression or moral decline within Israel, where the righteous were suffering at the hands of the wicked, possibly corrupt leaders or foreign adversaries. The imagery of a "slipping foot" is a common biblical metaphor for instability, distress, or moral stumbling, reflecting the precariousness of life in an ancient world where physical safety and social stability were often uncertain. The concept of "mercy" (Hebrew _chesed_) is deeply rooted in the covenant relationship between God and Israel, signifying God's loyal, unwavering love and faithfulness to His promises, even when His people are unfaithful or in dire straits. This cultural understanding of God's covenant loyalty would have provided the bedrock for the psalmist's trust that God would indeed "hold him up," regardless of the severity of his personal or national crisis.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the Psalms and the broader biblical narrative. It highlights the pervasive theme of **Human Vulnerability and Frailty**, acknowledging that even the most devout can experience moments of profound weakness, doubt, or despair, feeling on the brink of spiritual or physical failure. It starkly contrasts this human weakness with the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Sustaining Power**, emphasizing that God is not merely a distant observer but an active, compassionate upholder of His people. The central theme of **God's Unfailing Mercy (Chesed)** is paramount, portraying God's steadfast love as the active force that intervenes to prevent complete collapse. This verse also implicitly reinforces the theme of **Trust and Reliance on God**, as the psalmist's confession of weakness is immediately followed by a testimony of God's intervention, encouraging believers to voice their struggles and depend on God's character for support, echoing the assurance found in passages like [Psalm 37:24](/psalms/37-24 "Psalm 37:24 - The Lord Upholds the Righteous").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Slippeth (Hebrew, מָט, _mat_):** This verb signifies tottering, shaking, or being moved from a stable position. It conveys a sense of instability, precariousness, and being on the verge of falling. In a metaphorical sense, it speaks to spiritual or moral stumbling, loss of resolve, or the onset of despair where one's foundation feels compromised. It is not yet a complete fall, but the imminent danger of one.
* **Mercy (Hebrew, חֶסֶד, _chesed_):** Far more profound than mere pity, _chesed_ denotes God's steadfast love, covenant loyalty, unfailing kindness, and enduring faithfulness. It is a robust, active, and relational love that motivates God to uphold His promises and to act benevolently towards His people, especially in their weakness. It is the very essence of God's commitment to His covenant partners.
* **Held me up (Hebrew, סָמַךְ, _samak_):** This verb means to lean upon, to support, to sustain, or to uphold. It implies strong, reliable assistance, like a pillar providing firm foundation or a steady hand preventing a fall. It vividly portrays God's active, immediate, and effective intervention, providing the necessary strength and stability precisely when human strength fails and collapse is imminent.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"When I said, My foot slippeth;":** This clause reveals the psalmist's moment of profound vulnerability and honest confession. The phrase "My foot slippeth" is a vivid metaphor for feeling unstable, on the brink of failure, or experiencing deep personal distress, whether spiritual, emotional, or circumstantial. It signifies a point of critical weakness where the psalmist perceives an imminent fall or collapse, acknowledging a lack of self-sufficiency. The opening "When I said" indicates an internal realization or perhaps an uttered cry of despair, highlighting the personal and immediate nature of the crisis.
* **"thy mercy, O LORD,":** This is the pivotal turning point. The psalmist immediately shifts from his own weakness to God's character. "Thy mercy" refers to God's _chesed_, His steadfast, covenantal love and faithfulness. The direct address "O LORD" (Yahweh) emphasizes the personal, covenantal relationship with the sovereign God. It is God's intrinsic nature of loyal love, not human merit, that is the source of intervention.
* **"held me up.":** This final clause declares the divine intervention and its effect. God's _chesed_ is not passive but active, powerfully intervening to provide support and stability. The verb "held me up" ( _samak_) conveys a strong, sustaining action, preventing the psalmist from falling completely. It signifies God's unwavering support, transforming a moment of perceived collapse into an experience of divine upholding and restoration.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs powerful **Metaphor** with the phrase "My foot slippeth," which vividly conveys a sense of instability, imminent failure, or moral/spiritual stumbling. This physical image effectively illustrates an internal state of vulnerability and despair. There is also a clear **Antithesis** or **Contrast** at play, juxtaposing human weakness and the threat of falling ("My foot slippeth") with divine strength and unwavering support ("thy mercy, O LORD, held me up"). This contrast highlights the sufficiency of God's grace in the face of human frailty. The use of "O LORD" is a direct **Apostrophe**, a rhetorical device where the speaker directly addresses God, emphasizing the personal and relational nature of the psalmist's plea and testimony. The entire verse functions as a concise **Testimony**, recounting a personal experience of distress and divine deliverance, serving as an encouragement to others.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 94:18 is a profound testament to God's active and unwavering support for His people, particularly in their moments of greatest vulnerability. It underscores the biblical truth that human weakness is not a barrier to divine intervention but often the very occasion for God's power and mercy to be most clearly displayed. God's _chesed_—His covenantal love and loyalty—is the foundational attribute that compels Him to uphold those who trust in Him, preventing their complete collapse even when they feel utterly destabilized. This verse assures believers that their cries of distress are met with divine compassion and tangible support, reinforcing the absolute reliability of God's character.

* [Psalm 37:24](/psalms/37-24 "Psalm 37:24 - The Lord Upholds the Righteous")
* [Isaiah 41:10](/isaiah/41-10 "Isaiah 41:10 - God's Promise to Strengthen and Uphold")
* [Lamentations 3:22-23](/lamentations/3-22 "Lamentations 3:22-23 - The Steadfast Love of the LORD Never Ceases")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 94:18 offers immense comfort and profound practical guidance for contemporary life. We all encounter moments when we feel our "foot slippeth"—whether it's the weight of overwhelming circumstances, the insidious creep of spiritual doubt, the fierce pull of moral temptation, or the crushing reality of personal failure. This verse reminds us that in those moments of acute vulnerability, our honest confession of weakness is not met with judgment but with the immediate, powerful, and compassionate intervention of God's steadfast mercy. It encourages us to embrace our limitations, to vocalize our struggles to the One who truly sees and hears, and to rest in the unwavering assurance that God's faithful love is ever-present and ready to sustain us. This is not a passive hope but an active reliance on God's character, knowing that His grace is sufficient to prevent us from falling completely, transforming our moments of despair into testimonies of His unfailing strength.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you currently feel your "foot slipping" or your stability threatened?**
* **How does the understanding of God's _chesed_ (steadfast love and covenant loyalty) change your perspective on your moments of weakness?**
* **What does it mean practically to allow God's mercy to "hold you up" when you feel on the verge of collapse?**
* **How can you cultivate a deeper trust in God's sustaining power, even when circumstances seem overwhelming?**

### FAQ
**What does "My foot slippeth" symbolize in this verse?**

Answer: "My foot slippeth" is a powerful metaphor for experiencing instability, vulnerability, or being on the verge of falling. It can symbolize various forms of distress: spiritual stumbling (temptation, doubt, loss of faith), moral failure, overwhelming personal circumstances, emotional despair, or even physical danger. It signifies a moment where one's foundation feels compromised and a complete collapse seems imminent, highlighting human frailty and the precariousness of life.

**What is the significance of the Hebrew word _chesed_ for "mercy" in this context?**

Answer: The Hebrew word _chesed_ (חֶסֶד), translated as "mercy," is far more robust than simple pity. It encapsulates God's steadfast love, covenant loyalty, unfailing kindness, and enduring faithfulness. In Psalms 94:18, it signifies that God's intervention is not a random act but flows from His very character and His unwavering commitment to His covenant relationship with His people. It is a love that actively upholds and restores, even when one is at their weakest, providing a firm foundation for trust in God's reliable nature, as seen in [Lamentations 3:22-23](/lamentations/3-22 "Lamentations 3:22-23 - The LORD's Mercies Never End").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 94:18 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the psalmist experienced God's sustaining mercy in a specific moment of personal weakness, Christ embodies and perfectly extends that divine upholding to all believers. When our "foot slippeth" due to sin, temptation, or the crushing weight of the world, it is the mercy of God, fully revealed in Christ, that holds us up. Jesus, our great High Priest, sympathizes with our weaknesses, having been tempted in every way, yet without sin ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Jesus, Our Sympathetic High Priest")). His finished work on the cross provides the ultimate rescue from the ultimate fall—the eternal separation from God. Through His resurrection power, He not only prevents our spiritual collapse but also grants us new life and an enduring stability that transcends earthly circumstances. The Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Christ, indwells believers, providing the strength and comfort needed in moments of despair, ensuring that we are "kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation" ([1 Peter 1:5](/1_peter/1-5 "1 Peter 1:5 - Kept by God's Power")). Ultimately, the steadfast love of the Lord, which held up the psalmist, is the same love that secures our salvation and ensures that Christ "is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy" ([Jude 1:24](/jude/1-24 "Jude 1:24 - God's Power to Keep Us from Stumbling")).

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 121:3

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

Isaiah 41:10

¶ Fear 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 119:116

¶ Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope.

Psalms 119:117

Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually.

Psalms 37:23

The steps of a [good] man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.

Psalms 37:24

Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth [him with] his hand.

Psalms 38:16

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