“For innumerable evils have compassed me about: mine iniquities have taken hold upon me, so that I am not able to look up; they are more than the hairs of mine head: therefore my heart faileth me. Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me: O Lord, make haste to help me.” (Ps. 40:12-13)
“My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.” (Ps. 73:26)
These verses from Psalm 40 express a deep sense of distress and desperation, followed by a plea for divine intervention.
“For innumerable evils have compassed me about: mine iniquities have taken hold upon me, so that I am not able to look up; they are more than the hairs of mine head: therefore my heart faileth me.”
The psalmist vividly describes being surrounded by countless troubles and the weight of his own sins. The phrase “innumerable evils” paints a picture of overwhelming adversity. He feels the burden of his sins so heavily that he cannot lift his head in shame or face the troubles around him. This burden is likened to being more numerous than the hairs on his head, emphasizing the sheer magnitude of the troubles he is enduring. The weight of sin and adversity has become so great that it has caused his heart to fail, not necessarily in a physical sense but in a spiritual and emotional sense. This is a cry of someone who is deeply aware of their own failings and the consequences they face.
“Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me: O Lord, make haste to help me.”
Following this intense description of distress, the psalmist turns to God in supplication. Despite feeling overwhelmed by his circumstances and the weight of sin, he has hope in God’s deliverance. The plea to the Lord is twofold: first, a request for God to be pleased to rescue him, indicating a desire for God’s favour and mercy despite his failings. Second, an urgent plea for God to make haste to help, showing the immediacy of his need. The psalmist acknowledges his inability to overcome these challenges alone and places his trust entirely in God’s ability to rescue and deliver.
Psalm 73:26
This verse comes from a Psalm that wrestles with the prosperity of the wicked and the challenges faced by the righteous. Within this struggle, the psalmist finds solace and strength in his relationship with God.
“My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.”
Here, the psalmist reflects on his own weakness and mortality. The phrase “My flesh and my heart faileth” acknowledges the frailty of our human existence. It speaks to the physical and emotional vulnerabilities we all experience as mortal beings. Like the 40th Psalm, the psalmist recognizes the limitations of his own strength, understanding that he is prone to weakness and shortcomings.
However, in contrast to this human frailty, the psalmist Asaph affirms his trust in God’s enduring strength and presence. God is described as “the strength of my heart,” indicating that in times of weakness and vulnerability, Asaph finds his strength and courage in God. This phrase implies a deep reliance on the Lord for inner strength and resilience.
Additionally, the psalmist declares that God is “my portion forever.” This phrase conveys a deep sense of contentment and satisfaction in the Lord alone. In ancient Hebrew thought, “portion” refers to one’s inheritance or possession. By stating that God is his portion forever, Asaph expresses a sincere belief that God is not only his strength in times of weakness but also his eternal inheritance and ultimate satisfaction. In a world where material possessions and earthly pleasures will always fade, God remains as the enduring and everlasting source of fulfillment.
Both of these verses capture the depth of human emotion, from the despair and desperation in times of trouble and sin to the profound trust and reliance on the Lord’s strength and eternal presence. They cause us to think of the human condition—our vulnerabilities, failings, and the assurance we find in God’s unwavering support and love.
