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Psalm 17:5
My steps have held fast to your paths. My feet have not slipped.
3You have proved my heart. You have visited me in the night. You have tried me, and found nothing. I have resolved that my mouth shall not disobey.
4As for the deeds of men, by the word of your lips, I have kept myself from the ways of the violent.
5My steps have held fast to your paths. My feet have not slipped.
6I have called on you, for you will answer me, God. Turn your ear to me. Hear my speech.
7Show your marvelous loving kindness, you who save those who take refuge by your right hand from their enemies.
Notice
Feet that have not slipped express a confidence that may feel hard to voice: the psalmist can name where he has kept to God's paths.
Questions to write on. Each one opens a new entry with this verse already attached.
Where can you name a recent choice that kept your steps on God's paths?
Write on thisHow does the surrounding refusal of violence shape your understanding of feet that have not slipped?
Write on thisConnect
Where else Scripture says this
12 passages readers most often link with this verse, and the thread each one shares with it.
This verse's connections, by chapterThe Bible's strongest chapter linksHover or tap a book to trace it
Jeremiah 10:23LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself. It is not in man who walks to direct his steps.Both passages describe human steps in relation to God, with Jeremiah stressing that people cannot direct their own course.
Psalm 37:23A man’s steps are established by the LORD. He delights in his way.Both speak of steady steps in relation to God; Psalm 37 names the LORD as the one who establishes them.
Psalm 119:133Establish my footsteps in your word. Don’t let any iniquity have dominion over me.Psalm 17 reports feet that have not slipped, while Psalm 119 asks God to establish footsteps in his word.
Psalm 44:18Our heart has not turned back, neither have our steps strayed from your path,Both speakers affirm that their steps have remained on God's path without turning away.
Psalm 51:12Restore to me the joy of your salvation. Uphold me with a willing spirit.Both address God about steadiness, though Psalm 17 reports firm steps and Psalm 51 asks to be upheld.
1 Samuel 2:9He will keep the feet of his holy ones, but the wicked will be put to silence in darkness; for no man will prevail by strength.Both describe secure feet in relation to God; Samuel's passage attributes their keeping to God rather than human strength.
Job 23:11My foot has held fast to his steps. I have kept his way, and not turned away.Both speakers describe a foot or steps holding fast and affirm that they have kept God's way.
Luke 22:40When he was at the place, he said to them, “Pray that you don’t enter into temptation.”The shared concern is remaining faithful: the psalm reports steadfast steps, while Jesus urges prayer against entering temptation.
Romans 14:4Who are you who judge another’s servant? To his own lord he stands or falls. Yes, he will be made to stand, for God has power to make him stand.Both describe steadiness in relation to God, though Romans addresses judging another's servant and stresses God's power to make him stand.
2 Samuel 22:37You have enlarged my steps under me. My feet have not slipped.Both report feet that have not slipped; David's song in Samuel also credits God with enlarging his steps beneath him.
Job 12:5In the thought of him who is at ease there is contempt for misfortune. It is ready for them whose foot slips.Both mention slipping feet, though Psalm 17 reports steadfastness and Job describes contempt toward people facing misfortune.
Matthew 26:33But Peter answered him, “Even if all will be made to stumble because of you, I will never be made to stumble.”The psalmist reports feet that have not slipped, while Peter pledges that he will never be made to stumble.
Where this verse fits
Temptation. gratitude.
One step
Something small to carry out of this verse
Encouragement
You may acknowledge where you have obeyed God and still ask for help. The speaker who reports steadfast steps goes on to seek God's protection.
Now put it in your words.
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Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY). Scripture from the World English Bible (public domain). Arc diagram after Chris Harrison and Christoph Römhild (2007).