God upholds us, giving us security and confidence as we trust in Him.
“You enlarge my steps under me, And my feet have not slipped” (v.36). These words are attributed to King David, who reigned over Israel from about 1010 BC to 970 BC, making him the second king in Israel’s history. In this Psalm, David passionately expresses how the Lord has strengthened his path and kept him from stumbling. By saying that God “enlarges” his steps, David implies that God creates firm and spacious ground, providing a sense of stability and safety. This divine support is particularly crucial in David’s life, as he frequently faced challenges from enemies and personal struggles that could have overwhelmed him without the Lord’s help.
When David proclaims that “my feet have not slipped” (v.36), he lifts up a testimony of God’s protective care. This imagery represents not only physical safety but also spiritual resilience—David’s faith humbly rests in the Lord, and as a result, he remains secure. In the broader context of Psalm 18, David recounts God’s many interventions in his life and celebrates the Almighty’s power in preserving him from defeat. The foundation given by God allows David to stand firm through life’s battles, a truth that resonates with believers who trust in Christ’s eternal promise of security (see John 10:27-29).
In a deeper sense, David’s confidence in God’s ability to “enlarge” his steps points forward to how followers of Jesus can experience a steady walk of faith. Through Christ’s sacrifice and resurrection, Christians find both spiritual footing and freedom that liberates them from the fear of falling into despair or condemnation (see Romans 8:1-2). Such confidence reflects the same reliance David expresses here, forming a continuity from the Old Testament to the New Testament in how God upholds His people with His sustaining grace.
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Psalms 18:36 meaning
“You enlarge my steps under me, And my feet have not slipped” (v.36). These words are attributed to King David, who reigned over Israel from about 1010 BC to 970 BC, making him the second king in Israel’s history. In this Psalm, David passionately expresses how the Lord has strengthened his path and kept him from stumbling. By saying that God “enlarges” his steps, David implies that God creates firm and spacious ground, providing a sense of stability and safety. This divine support is particularly crucial in David’s life, as he frequently faced challenges from enemies and personal struggles that could have overwhelmed him without the Lord’s help.
When David proclaims that “my feet have not slipped” (v.36), he lifts up a testimony of God’s protective care. This imagery represents not only physical safety but also spiritual resilience—David’s faith humbly rests in the Lord, and as a result, he remains secure. In the broader context of Psalm 18, David recounts God’s many interventions in his life and celebrates the Almighty’s power in preserving him from defeat. The foundation given by God allows David to stand firm through life’s battles, a truth that resonates with believers who trust in Christ’s eternal promise of security (see John 10:27-29).
In a deeper sense, David’s confidence in God’s ability to “enlarge” his steps points forward to how followers of Jesus can experience a steady walk of faith. Through Christ’s sacrifice and resurrection, Christians find both spiritual footing and freedom that liberates them from the fear of falling into despair or condemnation (see Romans 8:1-2). Such confidence reflects the same reliance David expresses here, forming a continuity from the Old Testament to the New Testament in how God upholds His people with His sustaining grace.