King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto [this] generation, [and] thy power to every one [that] is to come.
Complete Jewish Bible:
So now that I'm old, and my hair is gray, don't abandon me, God, till I have proclaimed your strength to the next generation, your power to all who will come,
Berean Standard Bible:
Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, until I proclaim Your power to the next generation, Your might to all who are to come.
American Standard Version:
Yea, even when I am old and grayheaded, O God, forsake me not, Until I have declared thy strength unto the next generation, Thy might to every one that is to come.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Now also when{H5704} I am old{H2209} and grayheaded{H7872}, O God{H430}, forsake{H5800}{H8799)} me not; until I have shewed{H5046}{H8686)} thy strength{H2220} unto this generation{H1755}, and thy power{H1369} to every one that is to come{H935}{H8799)}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Isaiah 46:4
- And [even] to [your] old age I [am] he; and [even] to hoar hairs will I carry [you]: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver [you].
Psalms 71:9
- Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength faileth.
Psalms 78:4
- We will not hide [them] from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done.
Psalms 145:4
- One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts.
Psalms 145:5
- I will speak of the glorious honour of thy majesty, and of thy wondrous works.
Psalms 78:6
- That the generation to come might know [them, even] the children [which] should be born; [who] should arise and declare [them] to their children:
Psalms 22:31
- They shall come, and shall declare his righteousness unto a people that shall be born, that he hath done [this].
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Commentary for Psalms 71:18
Psalm 71:18 is part of a Psalm traditionally attributed to David, though the authorship is not certain. This particular verse reflects the themes of aging, faith, and the intergenerational transmission of faith and wisdom. The psalmist, who feels the vulnerability and challenges of old age, pleads with God not to abandon him in his twilight years. The historical context of this verse is rooted in the understanding of ancient Israelite society, where the elderly were expected to be the bearers of tradition and the teachers of the younger generations.
In the verse, the psalmist asks God to continue His support and presence in his life until he can fulfill his role by demonstrating God's "strength" and "power" to the current and future generations. This reflects the belief that the elderly have a responsibility to pass on their knowledge of God's mighty acts and faithfulness, ensuring that the legacy of God's work is not forgotten. The verse underscores the importance of testimonial and storytelling in the faith life of the community, as well as the individual's desire to remain useful and faithful to God's calling even in the later stages of life.
The plea "forsake me not" also touches on the universal human fear of being abandoned or becoming irrelevant as one ages. It is a prayer for continued relevance, purpose, and divine connection, emphasizing the psalmist's reliance on God's steadfastness. In essence, Psalm 71:18 captures the essence of a life-long journey with God, where the individual's relationship with the Divine is a source of strength and a testament to be shared across generations.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H5704
There are 97 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עַד
Transliteration: ʻad
Pronunciation: ad
Description: properly, the same as עַד (used as a preposition, adverb or conjunction; especially with a preposition); as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with); against, and, as, at, before, by (that), even (to), for(-asmuch as), (hither-) to, [phrase] how long, into, as long (much) as, (so) that, till, toward, until, when, while, ([phrase] as) yet. - Strong's Number: H2209
There are 6 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: זִקְנָה
Transliteration: ziqnâh
Pronunciation: zik-naw'
Description: feminine of זָקֵן; old age; old (age). - Strong's Number: H7872
There are 19 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שֵׂיבָה
Transliteration: sêybâh
Pronunciation: say-baw'
Description: feminine of שֵׂיב; old age; (be) gray (grey hoar,-y) hairs (head,-ed), old age. - Strong's Number: H430
There are 2334 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֱלֹהִים
Transliteration: ʼĕlôhîym
Pronunciation: el-o-heem'
Description: plural of אֱלוֹהַּ; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative; angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty. - Strong's Number: H5800
There are 206 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עָזַב
Transliteration: ʻâzab
Pronunciation: aw-zab'
Description: a primitive root; to loosen, i.e. relinquish, permit, etc.; commit self, fail, forsake, fortify, help, leave (destitute, off), refuse, [idiom] surely. - Strong's Number: H5046
There are 344 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָגַד
Transliteration: nâgad
Pronunciation: naw-gad'
Description: a primitive root; properly, to front, i.e. stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to one present); specifically, to expose, predict, explain, praise; bewray, [idiom] certainly, certify, declare(-ing), denounce, expound, [idiom] fully, messenger, plainly, profess, rehearse, report, shew (forth), speak, [idiom] surely, tell, utter. - Strong's Number: H2220
There are 84 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: זְרוֹעַ
Transliteration: zᵉrôwaʻ
Pronunciation: zer-o'-ah
Description: or (shortened) זְרֹעַ; and (feminine) זְרוֹעָה; or זְרֹעָה; from זָרַע; the arm (as stretched out), or (of animals) the foreleg; figuratively, force; arm, [phrase] help, mighty, power, shoulder, strength. - Strong's Number: H1755
There are 127 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: דּוֹר
Transliteration: dôwr
Pronunciation: dore
Description: or (shortened) דֹּר; from דּוּר; properly, a revolution of time, i.e. an age or generation; also a dwelling; age, [idiom] evermore, generation, (n-) ever, posterity. - Strong's Number: H1369
There are 61 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: גְּבוּרָה
Transliteration: gᵉbûwrâh
Pronunciation: gheb-oo-raw'
Description: feminine passive participle from the same as גִּבּוֹר; force (literally or figuratively); by implication, valor, victory; force, mastery, might, mighty (act, power), power, strength. - Strong's Number: H935
There are 2307 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בּוֹא
Transliteration: bôwʼ
Pronunciation: bo
Description: a primitive root; to go or come (in a wide variety of applications); abide, apply, attain, [idiom] be, befall, [phrase] besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, [idiom] certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out, upon, to pass), depart, [idiom] doubtless again, [phrase] eat, [phrase] employ, (cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be fallen, fetch, [phrase] follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war), grant, [phrase] have, [idiom] indeed, (in-) vade, lead, lift (up), mention, pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, [idiom] (well) stricken (in age), [idiom] surely, take (in), way.