What does Psalm 73:26 mean?

Psalm 73:26 (KJV) reads: "My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever." It sits in Psalms chapter 73, a piece of Hebrew prayer and praise poetry from the Old Testament, and is most often read as a verse about sympathy. The meaning sharpens when you read the verses immediately around it and notice how Psalms as a whole is arguing its case.

What is the context of Psalm 73:26 in Psalms?

Psalm 73:26 belongs to Psalms 73, which fits inside Psalms's wider message as Hebrew prayer and praise poetry. Before applying the verse, read at least the paragraph it appears in so you can see who is speaking, who is being addressed, and what situation prompted the words.

Is Psalm 73:26 from the Old or New Testament?

Psalm 73:26 is from the Old Testament — specifically the book of Psalms, chapter 73. That matters because Old Testament verses are usually addressed first to ancient Israel under the Mosaic covenant, and Christians read them through the lens of Christ's fulfilment.

What translation of Psalm 73:26 is used here?

Every verse on Bible Sundays is quoted from the King James Version (KJV), the public-domain English translation first published in 1611. We use the KJV consistently so the wording you memorise on one page matches the wording on every other page of the site.

How can I memorise Psalm 73:26?

Read Psalm 73:26 aloud three times, write it out by hand once, then try to recite it from memory. Repeat morning and evening for a week. Pair it with the theme of sympathy so your mind has a natural retrieval cue. Reviewing on day 1, day 3, day 7 and day 30 locks it in for the long term.

How should I apply Psalm 73:26 today?

Identify one specific situation in the next 24 hours — a conversation, a decision, a fear, a temptation around sympathy — where Psalm 73:26 should change your response. Pray the verse back to God for that situation, then act on it. Application is what turns reading into obedience.

Sympathy Card Verse

Psalm 73:26 for Sympathy Cards

A free, printable, share-ready KJV card verse. Pick a theme, download as a high-resolution image, or copy the text for handwritten cards.

For Sympathy

“My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.”

Psalm 73:26

King James Versionbiblesundays.com

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Why Psalm 73:26 works for sympathy cards

Acknowledges human frailty while affirming God as eternal strength.

"My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever."

Read Psalms 73 (KJV) →

How to use this sympathy card

Pick a theme above that matches the recipient's taste — botanical for weddings and showers, midnight for solemn occasions, kraft for rustic.
Download the PNG at 1200×1500 — Pinterest-optimized and high enough resolution for printing on standard 5×7 cardstock.
Send digitally via text, email, or social, or print and pair with a handwritten note inside.
Reference the chapter — readers often want to look up the surrounding context. Tap the link above to read Psalms 73 in the KJV.

More Sympathy card verses

Psalm 34:18

"The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit."

Revelation 21:4

"And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain."

Psalm 23:4

"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me."

Matthew 5:4

"Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted."

John 14:27

"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."

Romans 8:28

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."

Isaiah 41:10

"Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee."

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

"Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation."

See all 14 sympathy card verses →