Psalms71

The psalmist, in old age, expresses profound trust in the Lord, seeking deliverance from wicked adversaries who believe God has forsaken him. He recounts God's lifelong support and prays not to be cast off in his declining years. Despite troubles, he vows to continually praise God's righteousness and salvation, desiring to declare His power to future generations.

Prayer for Refuge and Deliverance

1
In you, LORD, I take refuge. Never let me be disappointed. ​
2
Deliver me in your righteousness, and rescue me. Turn your ear to me, and save me. ​
3
Be to me a rock of refuge to which I may always go. Give the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress. ​
4
Rescue me, my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man.

Grounded in Lifelong Trust and Dependence

5
For you are my hope, Lord GOD; my confidence from my youth. ​
6
I have relied on you from the womb. You are he who took me out of my mother’s womb. I will always praise you. ​
7
I am a marvel to many, but you are my strong refuge. ​
8
My mouth shall be filled with your praise, with your honor all the day.

The Crisis of Old Age and Enemy Mockery

9
Don’t reject me in my old age. Don’t forsake me when my strength fails. ​
10
For my enemies talk about me. Those who watch for my soul conspire together,
11
saying, “God has forsaken him. Pursue and take him, for no one will rescue him.” ​
12
God, don’t be far from me. My God, hurry to help me.
13
Let my accusers be disappointed and consumed. Let them be covered with disgrace and scorn who want to harm me.

Vow to Praise and Teach the Next Generation

14
But I will always hope, and will add to all of your praise.
15
My mouth will tell about your righteousness, and of your salvation all day, though I don’t know its full measure. ​
16
I will come with the mighty acts of the Lord GOD. I will make mention of your righteousness, even of yours alone. ​
17
God, you have taught me from my youth. Until now, I have declared your wondrous works.
18
Yes, even when I am old and gray-haired, God, don’t forsake me, until I have declared your strength to the next generation, your might to everyone who is to come. ​

Confession of God's Greatness and Final Praise

19
Your righteousness also, God, reaches to the heavens; you have done great things. God, who is like you?
20
You, who have shown us many and bitter troubles, you will let me live. You will bring us up again from the depths of the earth. ​
21
Increase my honor, and comfort me again.
22
I will also praise you with the harp for your faithfulness, my God. I sing praises to you with the lyre, Holy One of Israel. ​
23
My lips shall shout for joy! My soul, which you have redeemed, sings praises to you!
24
My tongue will also talk about your righteousness all day long, for they are disappointed, and they are confounded, who want to harm me.

Study Notes for Psalms 71

Verse 1

This psalm is a lament, often attributed to an older person, beginning with a strong declaration of trust in Yahweh, the covenant God. The plea is that this trust will not result in 'confusion' (disappointment or shame).

Verse 2

Deliverance is requested based on God's inherent character ('righteousness'), ensuring the Psalmist's safety is consistent with divine justice and faithfulness to His promises.

Verse 3

The Psalmist defines God as a 'strong habitation' (Ma'on), emphasizing that God is a secure dwelling place and fortress, a source of stability against the threats of the world.

Verse 5

This verse establishes the Psalmist’s historical relationship with God, emphasizing that this is not a new or desperate faith, but a trust established 'from my youth'.

Verse 6

This hyperbolic language expresses radical dependence, tracing God’s care back to the very moment of birth, portraying God as the ultimate source of life and sustenance.

Verse 7

The Psalmist is 'a wonder' (mophet), meaning an object of scorn, astonishment, or a negative example to others, likely due to severe suffering that his enemies interpret as divine rejection.

Verse 9

This is the central crisis of the Psalm: the fear of abandonment in vulnerability. The Psalmist recognizes that old age brings weakness, making divine strength indispensable.

Verse 11

The enemy’s taunt is theological, asserting that God has forsaken the righteous. This accusation is the deepest form of suffering for the faithful, challenging the very foundation of their hope.

Verse 15

The Psalmist uses hyperbole ('I know not the numbers thereof') to express the infinite nature of God's acts of salvation, acknowledging that comprehensive praise is impossible.

Verse 16

To 'go in the strength of the Lord GOD' is a declaration of dependence, relying entirely on God’s power and righteousness rather than personal merit or military might.

Verse 18

The plea to remain alive and strong in old age is missional: the Psalmist desires to pass on the testimony of God's power and faithfulness to the succeeding 'generation' (those who are to come).

Verse 20

The phrase 'depths of the earth' is a metaphor for Sheol or the grave, emphasizing that God can restore the sufferer even from the brink of death and despair ('quicken me again').

Verse 22

The Psalmist vows to use musical instruments (psaltery and harp) in worship, linking this specific act of praise to God's 'truth' and His identity as the 'Holy One of Israel'.

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