Psalm 17:5 Hold up my goings in your paths, that my footsteps slip not. The blessing of sanctified affliction is that we are made to see our weakness. David here seems as a little child, ready to fall, stretching out its hand and crying to its Father, "Hold up my goings," etc. I. THE BELIEVER'S POSITION IS OFTEN A VERY SLIPPERY ONE. Christ told us, "in the world ye shall have tribulation," and this is part of it. We are sent into the world to glorify God's holy law. And this we do by a life of simple faith in Jesus. II. IT IS SO EVEN IN THE PATHS OF GOD. Even in His very paths. Liberty may degenerate into licence; holy caution into legalism; activity into neglect of communion with God, and that into neglect of service. Reliance in Christ to forgetfulness of the Spirit of Christ; and even joy in affliction to an overlooking of our sin, which is the cause of it. III. THE PETITION. "Hold up my goings," etc. 1. It is the very picture of helplessness. "I can do nothing, cannot stir a step, without Thee." Oh! to be brought here. The omnipotence of weakness. 2. It is the language of faith. In ver. 6 he says, "I know that Thou wilt hear me." How simple but how strong this faith. 3. There is also the testimony of an upright conscience. 4. The memory of God's past dealings with him. (J. H. Evans, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not.WEB: My steps have held fast to your paths. My feet have not slipped. |
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