Psalms 17:5
Psalms 17:5 in Multiple Translations
My steps have held to Your paths; my feet have not slipped.
Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not.
My steps have held fast to thy paths, My feet have not slipped.
I have kept my feet in your ways, my steps have not been turned away.
I have not strayed from your path; my feet have not slipped from it.
Stay my steps in thy paths, that my feete doe not slide.
To uphold my goings in Thy paths, My steps have not slidden.
My steps have held fast to your paths. My feet have not slipped.
Uphold my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not.
The sorrows of death surrounded me: and the torrents of iniquity troubled me.
I have always done what you told me to do [IDM], I have ◄never failed to do/always done► [LIT] those things.
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 17:5
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 17:5 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
תָּמֹ֣ךְ
אֲ֭שֻׁרַ/י
בְּ/מַעְגְּלוֹתֶ֑י/ךָ
בַּל
נָמ֥וֹטּוּ
פְעָמָֽ/י
תָּמֹ֣ךְ
tâmak
H8551
to grasp
V-Qal-Ptc
אֲ֭שֻׁרַ/י
ʼâshur
H838
step
N-fp | Suff
בְּ/מַעְגְּלוֹתֶ֑י/ךָ
maʻgâl
H4570
track
Prep | N-mp | Suff
בַּל
bal
H1077
not
Part
נָמ֥וֹטּוּ
môwṭ
H4131
to shake
V-Niphal-Perf-3cp
פְעָמָֽ/י
paʻam
H6471
beat
N-fp | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 17:5
תָּמֹ֣ךְ
tâmak
H8551
"to grasp"
V-Qal-Ptc
This Hebrew word means to grasp or hold something, like taking hold of a person or object. It is used in books like Genesis and Psalms to describe helping or supporting someone.
Definition: 1) to grasp, hold, support, attain, lay hold of, hold fast 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to grasp, lay hold of, attain 1a2) to hold up, support 1a3) to hold, keep 1a4) to take hold of each other 1b) (Niphal) to be seized, be held
Usage: Occurs in 20 OT verses. KJV: (take, up-) hold (up), maintain, retain, stay (up). See also: Genesis 48:17; Proverbs 5:22; Psalms 16:5.
אֲ֭שֻׁרַ/י
ʼâshur
H838
"step"
N-fp | Suff
The Hebrew word for step refers to the act of walking or going. It is used in the Bible to describe movement or progress, as seen in the story of Jacob's ladder in Genesis. This word is translated as going or step in the KJV.
Definition: step, going Also means: a.shur (אַשֻּׁר "step" H0838B)
Usage: Occurs in 9 OT verses. KJV: going, step. See also: Job 23:11; Psalms 37:31; Psalms 17:5.
בְּ/מַעְגְּלוֹתֶ֑י/ךָ
maʻgâl
H4570
"track"
Prep | N-mp | Suff
This word refers to a path or track, either physical or figurative. It can also describe a circular rampart or entrenchment. In the Bible, it is translated as path, trench, or way.
Definition: 1) entrenchment, track 1a) circumvallation, entrenchment 1b) track
Usage: Occurs in 16 OT verses. KJV: going, path, trench, way(-side). See also: 1 Samuel 17:20; Proverbs 2:15; Psalms 17:5.
בַּל
bal
H1077
"not"
Part
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means not or nothing, often used to show something is absent or non-existent. It appears in various forms, like lest or neither. The KJV Bible translates it in different ways, including not or none.
Definition: not, hardly, else
Usage: Occurs in 58 OT verses. KJV: lest, neither, no, none (that...), not (any), nothing. See also: 1 Chronicles 16:30; Psalms 140:12; Psalms 10:4.
נָמ֥וֹטּוּ
môwṭ
H4131
"to shake"
V-Niphal-Perf-3cp
This Hebrew word means to shake or waver, like something that's unstable. It appears in books like Psalms and Proverbs, to describe things that are falling apart or unstable. The KJV translates it as 'be carried' or 'fall'.
Definition: 1) to totter, shake, slip 1a) (Qal) to totter, shake, slip 1b) (Niphal) to be shaken, be moved, be overthrown 1c) (Hiphil) to dislodge, let fall, drop 1d) (Hithpael) to be greatly shaken
Usage: Occurs in 36 OT verses. KJV: be carried, cast, be out of course, be fallen in decay, [idiom] exceedingly, fall(-ing down), be (re-) moved, be ready, shake, slide, slip. See also: Leviticus 25:35; Psalms 62:3; Psalms 10:6.
פְעָמָֽ/י
paʻam
H6471
"beat"
N-fp | Suff
This word refers to a beat or stroke, like a footstep or a blow. It can also mean a time or occurrence, and is used in the Bible to describe things like a single step or a repeated action.
Definition: 1) stroke, beat, foot, step, anvil, occurrence 1a) foot, hoof-beat, footfall, footstep 1b) anvil 1c) occurrence, time, stroke, beat 1c1) one time, once, twice, thrice, as time on time, at this repetition, this once, now at length, now...now, at one time...at another
Usage: Occurs in 108 OT verses. KJV: anvil, corner, foot(-step), going, (hundred-) fold, [idiom] now, (this) [phrase] once, order, rank, step, [phrase] thrice, (often-), second, this, two) time(-s), twice, wheel. See also: Genesis 2:23; 1 Samuel 3:10; Psalms 17:5.
Study Notes — Psalms 17:5
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 17:5 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 17:5
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 17:5
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 17:5
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 17:5
- Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 17:5
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 17:5
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 17:5
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 17:5
- Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 17:5
- Sermons on Psalms 17:5
Context — Hear My Righteous Plea
3You have tried my heart; You have visited me in the night. You have tested me and found no evil; I have resolved not to sin with my mouth.
4As for the deeds of men— by the word of Your lips I have avoided the ways of the violent.
5My steps have held to Your paths; my feet have not slipped.
6I call on You, O God, for You will answer me. Incline Your ear to me; hear my words. 7Show the wonders of Your loving devotion, You who save by Your right hand those who seek refuge from their foes.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalms 44:18 | Our hearts have not turned back; our steps have not strayed from Your path. |
| 2 | Psalms 119:133 | Order my steps in Your word; let no sin rule over me. |
| 3 | 1 Samuel 2:9 | He guards the steps of His faithful ones, but the wicked perish in darkness; for by his own strength shall no man prevail. |
| 4 | Psalms 18:36 | You broaden the path beneath me so that my ankles do not give way. |
| 5 | Psalms 38:16 | For I said, “Let them not gloat over me— those who taunt me when my foot slips.” |
| 6 | Psalms 121:3 | He will not allow your foot to slip; your Protector will not slumber. |
| 7 | Psalms 121:7 | The LORD will guard you from all evil; He will preserve your soul. |
| 8 | Job 23:11 | My feet have followed in His tracks; I have kept His way without turning aside. |
| 9 | Psalms 94:18 | If I say, “My foot is slipping,” Your loving devotion, O LORD, supports me. |
| 10 | Psalms 119:116–117 | Sustain me as You promised, that I may live; let me not be ashamed of my hope. Uphold me, and I will be saved, that I may always regard Your statutes. |
Psalms 17:5 Summary
This verse means that the psalmist is trying to follow God's ways and do what is right, and they are asking God to help them stay on track. It's like walking on a narrow path and needing a guide to keep from falling off. We can follow God's paths by reading His word, the Bible, and trusting in His goodness, as seen in Proverbs 3:5-6. By doing so, we can stay close to Him and avoid slipping into sin, just like it says in Psalms 16:8, which reminds us to set the Lord always before us.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to hold to God's paths?
Holding to God's paths means following His will and commands as outlined in Scripture, such as Psalms 119:105, which says God's word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path.
How can we keep our feet from slipping?
We can keep our feet from slipping by trusting in God's goodness and faithfulness, as seen in Psalms 37:3, which instructs us to trust in the Lord and do good, and by being mindful of our steps, as encouraged in Ephesians 5:15.
Is it possible to always follow God's paths perfectly?
While we strive to follow God's paths, we are not perfect and will stumble at times, but as 1 John 1:9 reminds us, if we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
What role does self-examination play in holding to God's paths?
Regular self-examination, as seen in Psalms 26:2, helps us to identify areas where we may be straying from God's paths and make necessary adjustments to stay on course, with the help of the Holy Spirit, as guided in Proverbs 3:6.
Reflection Questions
- What are some areas in my life where I feel like my feet are slipping, and how can I get back on track with God's paths?
- In what ways can I trust God more deeply to guide my steps and keep me from stumbling?
- How can I practically apply the principle of holding to God's paths in my daily decisions and interactions?
- What are some 'paths' in my life that I need to re-evaluate to ensure they align with God's will, as seen in Romans 12:2?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 17:5
Hold up my goings in thy paths,.... Which being spoken by David in his own person, and for himself, shows that he was conscious of his own weakness to keep himself in the ways of God, and to direct
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 17:5
Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not. Hold up my goings in thy paths, (that) my footsteps slip not - a beautiful supplement to Psalms 17:4, "I have kept me from the paths of the
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 17:5
As by thy word and grace thou hast hitherto kept me from the paths of evil men, and led me into thy paths; so, I pray thee, enable me by the same means to persevere in thy ways, and in mine abhorrency of wicked courses, that I may not fall into that sin of revenging myself upon Saul, to which I may be more and more tempted; nor into any other sin, whereby thou mayst be provoked, or men may be offended, and religion disgraced.
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 17:5
Psalms 17:5 Hold up my goings in thy paths, [that] my footsteps slip not.Ver. 5. Hold up my goings in thy paths, &c.] Keep me within the circle of thy word, as thou hitherto hast done; make me to walk exactly, and as in a frame, Ephesians 5:15. Grant me thy preventing, concomitant, and subsequent grace: O thou God of all grace, perfect, strengthen, stablish me, 1 Peter 5:10. That my footsteps slip not] By the malice of Satan, who seeks to subvert such as are most eminent, to the scandal of the weak, and scorn of the wicked; by the corruption also of mine own heart, Qua quisque sibi Satan est, as one well saith, whereby every man is a Satan to himself: could we but divorce the flesh from the devil, there would be no such danger. And, lastly, by the allurements or affrightments of this present evil world; the way whereof is like the vale of Siddim, slimy and slippery, full of slime pits and pit falls, springs and stumblingblocks.
Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 17:5
(5) Hold up.—Not, as in the Authorised Version, imperative, which is directly opposed to the context. The psalmist still asserts his innocence. Render:— My course kept close in thy tracks, My footsteps have not wavered. (Comp. Job 23:11; Psalms 41:12.) Paths.—Literally, wheel-tracks.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 17:5
Verse 5. Hold up my goings in thy paths] David walked in God's ways; but, without Divine assistance, he could not walk steadily, even in them. The words of God's lips had shown him the steps he was to take, and he implores the strength of God's grace to enable him to walk in those steps. He had been kept from the paths of the destroyer; but this was not sufficient; he must walk in God's paths-must spend his life in obedience to the Divine will. Negative holiness can save no man. "Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire."
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 17:5
5. My steps have held fast to thy tracks, My feet have not slipped. The A.V. is grammatically untenable. He describes his conduct positively. Paths, a different word from that in Psalms 17:4, denotes the beaten tracks made by wheeled vehicles. Slipped (the same word as moved in Psalms 15:5, Psalms 16:8), of moral ‘slips’ and ‘falls.’
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 17:5
Hold up my goings in thy paths - He had been enabled before this to keep himself from the ways of the violent by the word of God Psalms 17:4; he felt his dependence on God still to enable him, in the
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 17:5
5. Hold up my goings—Rather, My steps hold fast to thy paths.
Sermons on Psalms 17:5
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Studies in Psalm 16:-01 by James K. Boswell | In this sermon, the speaker begins by discussing how people often use technology without fully understanding how it works. He then shares a story about a doctor who operated on a b |
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The Progress of the Upright by Don Courville | In this sermon, the preacher begins by discussing the story of Josiah, who became king at the age of eight and ruled for 31 years. Josiah was praised for doing what was right in th |
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God's Alarm Clock by Bill McLeod | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of living a righteous and alert life. He shares a story of a man who fearlessly faced a dangerous situation because he had fa |
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Hudson Taylor: Songs on His Pilgrimage by Jason Janz | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the story of Hudson Taylor, a missionary who faced challenges in spreading the Gospel in China. Despite being bedridden and having no paid hel |
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"Do the Next Thing" by J.R. Miller | J.R. Miller emphasizes the importance of recognizing and fulfilling our immediate duties, likening life to a musical composition where each note has its place. He argues that many |
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Psalm 119:9 by Brent Yim | Brent Yim emphasizes the struggle young men face with immorality and rebellion, stemming from a sin-stricken nature that rejects God's standards. The remedy to this pervasive issue |
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Check Those Unkind Words and Thoughts by Mary Wilder Tileston | Mary Wilder Tileston emphasizes the importance of loving one another as commanded by Jesus in John 15:17, highlighting the need for more grace, sweetness, and sunshine from God's l |