John Gill Commentary Psalms 73:26

John Gill Commentary

Psalms 73:26

1697–1771
Reformed Baptist
John Gill
John Gill

John Gill Commentary

Psalms 73:26

1697–1771
Reformed Baptist
SCRIPTURE

"My flesh and my heart faileth; [But] God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever." — Psalms 73:26 (ASV)

My flesh and my heart fails
Either through vehement desires of communion with God deferred, see (Psalms 84:2) or through afflictive dispensations of Providence, being smitten and chastened continually, (Psalms 73:14) , or through inward trials and exercises, by reason of indwelling sin, temptations, and desertions: or rather the words are expressive of the body being emaciated by sickness and diseases; and the heart fainting through fear of death, or rather failing at it, being at the point of death; the heart being, as philosophers say, the first that lives, and the last that dies:

but God is the strength of my heart ,
or "the rock of my heart" F8 ; when overwhelmed with distress through outward trouble, or in the lowest condition with respect to spiritual things; when grace is weak, corruptions strong, temptations prevail, and afflictions are many; then does the Lord support and sustain his people, and strengthens them with strength in their souls; and in the moment of death, by showing them that its sting is taken away, and its curse removed; that their souls are going to their Lord, and about to enter into his joy; and that their bodies will rise again glorious and incorruptible:

and my portion for ever ;
both in life and at death, and to all eternity; this is a very large portion indeed; such who have it inherit all things; yea, it is immense and inconceivable; it is a soul satisfying one, and is safe and secure; it can never be taken away, nor can it be spent; it will last always; see (Psalms 142:5) (Lamentations 3:24) .


FOOTNOTES:

  • F8: (ybbl rww) "rupes cordis mei", Montanus, Musculus, Piscator, Cocceius, "petra cordis mei", Tigurine version, Gejerus, Michaelis; so Ainsworth.