"My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."
— Psalm 73:26 (NIV)
Psalm 73:26 is the "God is the strength of my heart" verse. This page gives the verse, where it sits in Psalm 73, and a plain reading. For more on the theme, see Bible verses about strength, Bible verses about grief, and 2 Corinthians 12:9.
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The verse
The King James reads: "My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever."
"Flesh" is basar (H1320), the body. "Heart" is lebab (H3824), the inner self. "Fail" is kalah (H3615), to be used up or come to an end. "Strength" is tsur (H6697), literally a rock. "Portion" is cheleq (H2506), a share or inheritance, and "forever" is olam (H5769).
Where it sits in Psalm 73
Psalm 73 is headed "A psalm of Asaph." It begins with honest struggle: "But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold. For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked" (Psalm 73:2-3).
The turn comes in worship: "When I tried to understand all this, it troubled me deeply till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny" (Psalm 73:16-17). Just before this verse Asaph says, "Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you" (Psalm 73:25). The psalm ends, "But as for me, it is good to be near God" (Psalm 73:28).
What the verse is saying
Asaph admits that his body and his heart can give out. He does not pretend to be strong. What holds is God himself, the rock under his heart.
"My portion" is inheritance language. In Israel each tribe received land as its portion, but the priests were told the Lord was their share. Asaph claims the same: even if everything else is taken, he still has God, and that share lasts forever. Paul says something close in 2 Corinthians 12:9: "my power is made perfect in weakness."
Questions people ask
What does Psalm 73:26 say?
In the NIV it says, "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." The KJV says, "My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever."
What does "God is my portion" mean?
"Portion" is the Hebrew cheleq, a share or inheritance. Calling God your portion means he is the inheritance you keep when other things fail.
Who wrote Psalm 73?
The heading credits Asaph.
What is the context of Psalm 73:26?
Asaph nearly lost his footing envying the prosperity of the wicked (Psalm 73:2-3). In the sanctuary he understood their end (Psalm 73:17), and he closes with "it is good to be near God" (Psalm 73:28).
What other verses are like Psalm 73:26?
2 Corinthians 12:9 (my power is made perfect in weakness), Isaiah 41:10 (I will strengthen you and help you), and Psalm 46:1 (God is our refuge and strength) are close companions.
