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I. WHAT THE PSALMIST MEANS BY THE FLESH AND HEART FAILING.

1. By the flesh failing, we are to understand death.

(1)  We die daily; are gradually decaying and wearing away (Job 14:10).

(2)  Universally (Ecclesiastes 6:6).

(3)  With great variety; in some early; in others in their bloom; with others, not till the shadows of the evening come upon them (1 Samuel 20:3).

(4)  Most certainly, without a possibility of prevention; neither food nor physic will always avail (Ecclesiastes 8:8).

(5)  Swiftly (James 4:14; Job 14:1, 2).

(6)  In death, the flesh fails irrecoverably, as to its being restored to its former state upon earth (Hebrews 9:27; Psalm 39:13).

2. When the flesh is thus failing in a dying hour, the heart may be ready to sink into a state of despondency; and this may be owing —

(1)  To severity of affliction (Job 16:12).

(2)  To the recollection of past sins, although forgiven, without eyeing the sacrifice of Christ (Job 21:6).

(3)  To the temptations of Satan (1 Peter 1:6).

(4)  To the loss of our evidence, as to our acceptance with God (Psalm 42:5-7).

(5)  To a suspension of the sensible presence of Christ.

II. THE SOURCE OF OUR DEPENDENCE IN SUCH AWFUL CIRCUMSTANCES, GOD. "God is the strength of my heart." This may be inferred —

1. From His love to them (Psalm 11:7).

2. From His ability (Isaiah 59:1).

3. From His infinite presence with them (2 Chronicles 16:9).

4. From His faithfulness to His kind promises made to them, and on which He has caused them to hope (Isaiah 43:1-3).

5. From their interest in Him, their portion for ever, "The Lord is my portion," etc. (Lamentations 3:24).

6. What kind of a portion God is, no creature can fully describe (Job 11:7).

(1)  God is a suitable portion, suited to man's spiritual nature (ver. 25).

(2)  All-sufficient portion (Genesis 17:1; Ephesians 3:20).

(3)  Infinite portion: and this is the ground of His being all-sufficient. Infinite mercy to pardon, infinite wisdom to counsel, infinite power to support, infinite grace to enrich, infinite glory to bestow (Psalm 84:11).

(4)  He is an eternal portion (Genesis 15:1). And on this ground it is, the children of God make their boast (Psalm 48:14). Improvement:

1. Let the consideration of our flesh failing daily excite us to a daily preparation for eternity.

2. As God is the strength of our hearts, let us trust in Him, in life and death, that He may be our portion for over.

(T. Hannam.)

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KJV: My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.

WEB: My flesh and my heart fails, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.