“Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand.”
My Notes
What Does Psalms 73:23 Mean?
"Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand." This is Asaph's resolution — the verse that comes after he enters the sanctuary and sees the wicked's end. The word "nevertheless" is the pivot of the entire psalm. Despite the prosperity of the wicked, despite the apparent futility of righteousness, despite the near-collapse of his faith — nevertheless. He is with God, and God holds him.
The phrase "holden me by my right hand" pictures God grasping Asaph's dominant hand — the hand of strength, skill, and action. God doesn't just walk beside Asaph; He grips his strongest hand. The holding is firm, personal, and stabilizing.
"Continually with thee" means Asaph has never actually left God's presence, even during the crisis. He thought he was slipping (verse 2). He thought his faith was failing. But looking back, he sees that he was held the entire time. The crisis didn't break the connection — it just temporarily obscured his awareness of it.
Reflection Questions
- 1.Have you ever looked back on a faith crisis and realized God was holding you the whole time?
- 2.What does the word 'nevertheless' mean in the context of your own doubts?
- 3.How does knowing God held you 'continually' — even during the crisis — change how you view that season?
- 4.What's the difference between feeling far from God and actually being far from God?
Devotional
"Nevertheless." One word that answers an entire psalm's worth of doubt. Nevertheless — despite everything I just said, despite the ungodly prospering, despite my feet almost slipping, despite the crisis of faith that nearly destroyed me — I am continually with God. And God has been holding my hand the whole time.
The most shocking part isn't the resolution. It's the word "continually." Asaph wasn't with God only during the confident moments. He was with God during the doubt. During the envy. During the near-collapse. Even when he felt farthest from God, he was continually with Him. The feeling of distance was a lie. The holding never stopped.
This is one of the most important truths for anyone going through a faith crisis: your crisis doesn't break the connection. You think you're falling away. You think you're losing God. You think the doubt means the relationship is over. And then, on the other side, you look back and see: He was holding your right hand the entire time.
The hand-holding image is parental. A child walks through a scary place and thinks they're alone. The parent never let go. The child's fear was real; the abandonment was not.
Whatever you're going through — whatever doubt, whatever crisis, whatever season of watching the wrong people win — nevertheless. You are continually with God. His grip didn't loosen during your crisis. It was holding you through it.
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
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Cross References
Related passages throughout Scripture