You are on the right track. The Universe is expanding and gravity is contracting. Do the math and see. The point of gravitational equilibrium for our local cluster is about 5 Mpc. For our galaxy it is about 1 Mpc. For a typical star (like our sun) it is about 1 pc. It explains the dynamics of everything from globular clusters and galaxies up to super-clusters as a viscous fluid, no dark matter required. See the universe in a coffee cup indeed.