TRV
Study This Verse
Commentary on Psalms 71 verses 1–13
Two things in general David here prays for - that he might not be confounded and that his enemies and persecutors might be confounded.
I. He prays that he might never be made ashamed of his dependence upon God nor disappointed in his believing expectations from him. With this petition every true believer may come boldly to the throne of grace; for God will never disappoint the hope that is of his own raising. Now observe here,
1.How David professes his confidence in God, and with what pleasure and grateful variety of expression he repeats his profession of that confidence, still presenting the profession of it to God and pleading it with him. We praise God, and so please him, by telling him (if it be indeed true) what an entire confidence we have in him (Psa 71:1): "In thee, O Lord! and in thee only, do I put my trust. Whatever others do, I choose the God of Jacob for my help." Those that are entirely satisfied with God's all-sufficiency and the truth of his promise, and in dependence upon that, as sufficient to make them amends, are freely willing to do and suffer, to lose and venture, for him, may truly say, In thee, O Lord! do I put my trust. Those that will deal with God must deal upon trust; if we are shy of dealing with him, it is a sign we do not trust him. Thou art my rock and my fortress (Psa 71:3); and again, "Thou art my refuge, my strong refuge" (Psa 71:7); that is, "I fly to thee, and am sure to be safe in thee, and under thy protection. If thou secure me, none can hurt me. Thou art my hope and my trust" (Psa 71:5); that is, "thou hast proposed thyself to me in thy word as the proper object of my hope and trust; I have hoped in thee, and never found it in vain to do so."
2.How his confidence in God is supported and encouraged by his experiences (Psa 71:5, Psa 71:6): "Thou hast been my trust from my youth; ever since I was capable of discerning between my right hand and my left, I stayed myself upon thee, and saw a great deal of reason to do so; for by thee have I been holden up from the womb." Ever since he had the use of his reason he had been a dependent upon God's goodness, because ever since he had had a being he had been a monument of it. Note, The consideration of the gracious care which the divine Providence took of us in our birth and infancy should engage us to an early piety and constant devotedness to his honour. He that was our help from our birth ought to be our hope from our youth. If we received so much mercy from God before we were capable of doing him any service, we should lose no time when we are capable. This comes in here as a support to the psalmist in his present distress; not only that God had given him his life and being, bringing him out of his mother's bowels into the world, and providing that he should not die from the womb, nor give up the ghost when he came out of the belly, but that he had betimes made him one of his family: "Thou art he that took me out of my mother's bowels into the arms of thy grace, under the shadow of thy wings, into the bond of thy covenant; thou tookest me into thy church, as a son of thy handmaid, and born in thy house, Psa 116:16. And therefore," (1.) "I have reason to hope that thou wilt protect me; thou that hast held me up hitherto wilt not let me fall now; thou that madest me wilt not forsake the work of thy own hands; thou that helpedst me when I could not help myself wilt not abandon me now that I am as helpless as I was then." (2.) "Therefore I have reason to resolve that I will devote myself unto thee: My praise shall therefore be continually of thee;" that is, "I will make it my business every day to praise thee and will take all occasions to do it."
3.What his requests to God are, in this confidence.
(1.)That he might never be put to confusion (Psa 71:1), that he might not be disappointed of the mercy he expected and so made ashamed of his expectation. Thus we may all pray in faith that our confidence in God may not be our confusion. Hope of the glory of God is hope that makes not ashamed.
(2.)That he might be delivered out of the hand of his enemies (Psa 71:2): "Deliver me in thy righteousness. As thou art the righteous Judge of the world, pleading the cause of the injured and punishing the injurious, cause me in some way or other to escape" (God will, with the temptation, make a way to escape, Co1 10:13): "Incline thy ear unto my prayers, and, in answer to them, save me out of my troubles, Psa 71:4. Deliver me, O my God! out of the hands of those that are ready to pull me in pieces." Three things he pleads for deliverance: - [1.] The encouragement God had given him to expect it: Thou hast given commandment to save me (Psa 71:3); that is, thou hast promised to do it, and such efficacy is there in God's promises that they are often spoken of as commands, like that, Let there be light, and there was light. He speaks, and it is done. [2.] The character of his enemies; they are wicked, unrighteous, cruel men, and it will be for the honour of God to appear against them (Psa 71:4), for he is a holy, just, and good God. [3.] The many eyes that were upon him (Psa 71:7): "I am as a wonder unto many; every one waits to see what will be the issue of such extraordinary troubles as I have fallen into and such extraordinary confidence as I profess to have in God." Or, "I am looked upon as a monster, am one whom every body shuns, and therefore am undone if the Lord be not my refuge. Men abandon me, but God will not."
(3.)That he might always find rest and safety in God (Psa 71:3): Be thou my strong habitation; by thou to me a rock of repose, whereto I may continually resort. Those that are at home in God, that live a life of communion with him and confidence in him, that continually resort unto him by faith and prayer, having their eyes ever towards him, may promise themselves a strong habitation in him, such as will never fall of itself nor can ever be broken through by any invading power; and they shall be welcome to resort to him continually upon all occasions, and not be upbraided as coming too often.
(4.)That he might have continual matter for thanksgiving to God, and might be continually employed in that pleasant work (Psa 71:8): "Let my mouth be filled with thy praise, as now it is with my complaints, and then I shall not be ashamed of my hope, but my enemies will be ashamed of their insolence." Those that love God love to be praising him, and desire to be doing it all the day, not only in their morning and evening devotions, not only seven times a day (Psa 119:164), but all the day, to intermix with all they say something or other that may redound to the honour and praise of God. They resolve to do it while they live; they hope to be doing it eternally in a better world.
(5.)That he might not be neglected now in his declining years (Psa 71:9): Cast me not off now in the time of my old gage; forsake me not when my strength fails. Observe here, [1.] The natural sense he had of the infirmities of age: My strength fails. Where there was strength of body and vigour of mind, strong sight, a strong voice, strong limbs, alas! in old age they fail; the life is continued, but the strength is gone, or that which is his labour and sorrow, Psa 90:10. [2.] The gracious desire he had of the continuance of God's presence with him under these infirmities: Lord, cast me not off; do not then forsake me. This intimates that he should look upon himself as undone if God should abandon him. To be cast off and forsaken of God is a thing to be dreaded at any time, especially in the time of old age and when our strength fails us; for it is God that is the strength of our heart. But it intimates that he had reason to hope God would not desert him; the faithful servants of God may be comfortably assured that he will not cast them off in old age, nor forsake them when their strength fails them. He is a Master that is not wont to cast off old servants. In this confidence David here prays again (Psa 71:12): "O God! be not far from me; let me not be under the apprehension of thy withdrawings, for then I am miserable. I my God! a God in covenant with me, make haste for my help, lest I perish before help come."
II. He prays that his enemies might be made ashamed of their designs against him. Observe, 1. What it was which they unjustly said against him, Psa 71:10, Psa 71:11. Their plot was deep and desperate; it was against his life: They lay wait for my soul (Psa 71:10), and are adversaries to that, Psa 71:13. Their powers and policies were combined: They take counsel together. And very insolent they were in their deportment: They say, God has forsaken him; persecute and take him. Here their premises are utterly false, that because a good man was in great trouble and had continued long in it, and was not so soon delivered as perhaps he expected, therefore God had forsaken him and would have no more to do with him. All are not forsaken of God who think themselves so or whom others think to be so. And, as their premises were false, so their inference was barbarous. If God has forsaken him, then persecute and take him, and doubt not but to make a prey of him. This is talking to the grief of one whom God has smitten, Psa 69:26. But thus they endeavour to discourage David, as Sennacherib endeavoured to intimidate Hezekiah by suggesting that God was his enemy and fought against him. Have I now come up without the Lord against this city, to destroy it? Isa 36:10. It is true, if God has forsaken a man, there is none to deliver him; but therefore to insult over him ill becomes those who are conscious to themselves that they deserve to be for ever forsaken of God. But rejoice not against me, O my enemy! though I fall, I shall rise. He that seems to forsake for a small moment will gather with everlasting kindness. 2. What it was which he justly prayed for, from a spirit of prophecy, not a spirit of passion (Psa 71:13): "Let them be confounded and consumed that are adversaries to my soul. If they will not be confounded by repentance, and so saved, let them be confounded with everlasting dishonour, and so ruined." God will turn into shame the glory of those who turn into shame the glory of God and his people.
"In Your own righteousness deliver me, and save me" [Psalm 71:2]. Not in my own, but in Your own: for if in my own, I shall be one of those whereof he says, "Being ignorant of God's righteousness, and their own righteousness willing to establish, to the righteousness of God they were not made subject." [Romans 10:3] Therefore, "in Your own righteousness," not in mine. For mine is what? Iniquity has gone before. And when I shall be righteous, Your own righteousness it will be: for by righteousness given to me by You I shall be righteous; and it shall be so mine, as that it be Yours, that is, given to me by You. For I believe in Him that justifies an ungodly man, so that my faith is counted for righteousness. [Romans 4:5] Even so then the righteousness shall be mine, not however as though my own, not as though by my own self given to myself: as they thought who through the letter made their boast, and rejected grace....It is a small thing then that thou acknowledge the good thing which is in you to be from God, unless also on that account thou exalt not yourself above him that has not yet, who perchance when he shall have received, will outstrip you. For when Saul was a stoner of Stephen, [Acts 7:59] how many were the Christians of whom he was persecutor! Nevertheless, when he was converted, all that had gone before he surpassed. Therefore say thou to God that which you hear in the Psalm, "In You I have hoped, O Lord, I shall not be confounded for everlasting: in Your own righteousness," not in mine, "deliver me, and save me." "Incline unto me Your ear." This also is a confession of humility. He that says, "Incline unto me," is confessing that he is lying like a sick man laid at the feet of the Physician standing. Lastly, observe that it is a sick man that is speaking: "Incline unto me Your ear, and save me."
For this John, my dearest brothers, was one of those mountains about which it has been written, “Let the mountains receive peace for your people; and the hills justice.” The mountains are eminent souls; the hills are little souls. But the mountains receive peace for this very reason, so that the hills can receive justice. What is the justice that the hills receive? Faith, because “the just person lives by faith.” The lesser souls, however, would not receive faith if the greater souls, who were called mountains, were not illuminated by wisdom itself, so that they can convey to the little ones what the little ones are able to grasp, and so that the hills can live by faith because the mountains receive peace. By these very mountains it was said to the church, “Peace be with you.” And the mountains themselves, in announcing peace to the church, did not set themselves apart in regard to him from whom they receive peace so that they might announce peace truly and not deceitfully.
“Deliver me in your righteousness and rescue me; incline your ear to me and deliver me.” When he says “in your righteousness,” he seeks divine mercy. In other words it pertains to his righteousness to spare a suppliant. For thus it pleased his righteousness to forgive a person who is known to condemn his own deeds. He says, “Deliver me from the pressing dangers; rescue me from the power of the devil,” so that he may not be condemned with him forever. When he says “incline,” he professes that he is humbly prostrate, because unless divine grace is inclined to freeing someone, he is not able to arrive by his own merits at that mercy which he desires. For it is not the merit of anyone that reaches God, but rather he himself is merciful and comes straightaway to sinners.
Continue studying Psalms 71:2 across the web’s major study libraries — every link below opens this exact verse, chapter, or book on the destination site.
Read & Compare
BibleGatewayThis verse in more than 200 translations and 70 languages.
Bible.comThe YouVersion reader — hundreds of translations, reading plans, and highlights.
ESV.orgCrossway's official English Standard Version reader.
NET BibleThe NET translation with 60,000+ translators' notes on every rendering decision.
STEP BibleTyndale House's free study tool — original text, vocabulary, and scholarly resources.
BibliaLogos Bible Software's free web reader.
USCCBThe New American Bible (Revised Edition) with the U.S. bishops' study notes.
Commentaries
BibleHub CommentariesDozens of classic commentaries on this verse, gathered on one page.
StudyLightMore than 100 commentary sets — the largest collection on the web.
BibleRefPlain-English commentary on what this verse means, verse by verse.
Enduring WordDavid Guzik's free commentary on this chapter, widely used by Bible teachers.
Bible Study ToolsVerse commentary alongside Greek and Hebrew study aids.
Original Language & Research
- BibleHub InterlinearThe verse word by word — original language, transliteration, and English.
- BibleHub LexiconEvery word's original-language definition and Strong's entry.
Blue Letter BibleDeep-study tools — Strong's numbers, concordance, and word studies.
SefariaThe Hebrew text with Rashi and centuries of Jewish commentary.
Sermons, Hymns & Audio
TrulyRandomVerse is not affiliated with these sites and doesn’t control their content. They’re linked because they’re genuinely useful.
SUMMARY
Psalms 71:2 presents a fervent and urgent plea from a vulnerable psalmist, likely an individual facing the challenges of old age and adversity, who seeks immediate divine intervention. This petition is grounded not in the psalmist's own merit, but entirely in God's inherent righteousness and unwavering faithfulness. The verse encapsulates a deep-seated trust in God as a lifelong refuge, calling upon Him to act decisively by delivering, causing escape, inclining His ear, and saving, thereby emphasizing God's active, attentive, and saving involvement in the lives of those who trust Him.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: Psalms 71 stands as a poignant individual lament, notably lacking a superscription, which suggests it may be a compilation or an anonymous prayer from an aged believer. It immediately follows the urgent prayer for speedy help found in Psalm 70 and precedes Psalm 72, a psalm of praise for God's universal reign and the righteous rule of His anointed king. Within Psalm 71 itself, verse 2 functions as a direct and immediate petition, building upon the psalmist's initial declaration of refuge in God in verse 1. The psalmist's repeated appeals for deliverance from enemies and malicious accusers (e.g., verses 4 and 10) are consistently anchored in a lifelong history of God's faithfulness, a trust established from birth and youth, as affirmed in verses 5-6. The profound urgency of the plea articulated in verse 2 sets the emotional and theological tone for the entire psalm, which skillfully navigates between desperate cries for rescue and confident declarations of God's past and future salvation.
Historical & Cultural Context: While the specific historical backdrop for Psalm 71 remains unstated, it powerfully reflects the universal human experience of facing distress, often at the hands of adversaries or societal pressures. In ancient Israelite society, old age frequently brought increased vulnerability. As physical strength waned, reliance on family and community support became paramount, and without robust social safety nets, the elderly could become targets for exploitation or neglect. The psalmist's appeal to God as a "rock of refuge" in verse 3 resonates deeply with the cultural understanding of fortresses and strongholds as ultimate places of safety in a perilous world. The anthropomorphic expression of God "inclining His ear" is a common motif in the ancient Near East, signifying a deity's personal attention and willingness to intervene, standing in stark contrast to the perceived deafness of pagan idols. The emphasis on God's "righteousness" (צְדָקָה, tsᵉdâqâh) is profoundly rooted in the covenantal relationship between God and Israel, where God's justice is inextricably linked to His unwavering faithfulness to His promises and His steadfast commitment to His people, particularly the vulnerable and oppressed.
Key Themes: Psalms 71:2 significantly contributes to several overarching themes prevalent throughout the Psalter. Firstly, it highlights the Sovereignty and Faithfulness of God, particularly His attribute of righteousness (צְדָקָה, tsᵉdâqâh). This divine righteousness is not merely an abstract concept of justice but an active, dynamic expression of His covenant faithfulness and His consistent adherence to His own character. It serves as the bedrock upon which the psalmist confidently bases his plea for deliverance, understanding that God's very nature guarantees His intervention for those who trust Him, a theme echoed in numerous psalms (e.g., Psalms 7:9 and Psalms 9:8). Secondly, the verse powerfully underscores the Urgency and Desperation of Human Need, reflecting the common motif of lament where the psalmist confronts immediate and pressing dangers. The cumulative effect of the repeated verbs of rescue—"deliver," "escape," and "save"—conveys a profound sense of vulnerability and an absolute reliance on divine intervention, a theme resonating throughout many psalms of individual lament (e.g., Psalms 3:7). Thirdly, it vividly illustrates the Intimacy and Accessibility of God, particularly through the anthropomorphic plea "incline thine ear." This imagery portrays God as personally attentive and profoundly responsive to the cries of His children, emphasizing a relational God who condescends to listen with care, a concept beautifully articulated in Psalms 116:2 and Psalms 18:6).
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Psalms 71:2 masterfully employs several potent Literary Devices to convey its urgent and heartfelt message. The most prominent is Anthropomorphism, vividly illustrated in the phrase "incline thine ear unto me." This imagery attributes a human physical action (bending an ear) to God, making the divine relatable and emphasizing His personal attentiveness, compassion, and willingness to engage directly with His people's suffering. The verse also utilizes Parallelism, specifically synonymous parallelism, where the second half of the verse ("incline thine ear unto me, and save me") echoes, reinforces, and expands upon the plea of the first half ("Deliver me in thy righteousness, and cause me to escape"). This repetition of similar ideas through different but complementary phrasing intensifies the urgency, sincerity, and comprehensive nature of the psalmist's petition. Furthermore, the cumulative effect of these escalating pleas for "deliver," "escape," and "save" creates a powerful sense of Climax or escalating intensity, underscoring the psalmist's profound and desperate need for comprehensive divine intervention.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 71:2 profoundly articulates the theological truth that God's actions are immutably rooted in His unchanging character, particularly His righteousness. This divine attribute is not merely a legalistic concept but a dynamic, active expression of His covenant faithfulness and His unwavering commitment to His people. The psalmist's appeal serves as a timeless model for all believers: our hope for deliverance, rescue, and ultimate salvation rests not on our own merit, worthiness, or deeds, but entirely on the unshakeable foundation of God's inherent nature. He is the righteous One who hears, who acts, and who saves, demonstrating His justice by upholding the cause of the vulnerable and faithfully fulfilling His promises. This verse invites us into a deep and confident relationship with a God who is both majestic in His righteousness and intimately attentive to the cries of His children.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 71:2 offers a timeless and profound blueprint for prayer, especially when we find ourselves in seasons of acute vulnerability, distress, or the natural challenges of aging. It powerfully teaches us to anchor our petitions not in our own perceived worthiness or accomplishments, but in the unshakeable foundation of God's unchanging character—His perfect righteousness, His unwavering faithfulness, and His attentive, compassionate love. When we face overwhelming challenges, whether external pressures or internal struggles, this verse encourages us to boldly and urgently present our deepest needs to God, trusting implicitly that He is neither distant nor indifferent, but actively bends His ear to hear our cries. It serves as a vital reminder that our salvation and deliverance, in all their forms, are ultimately His sovereign work, flowing directly from His very nature. This profound assurance liberates us from the heavy burden of self-reliance and invites us into a deeper, more confident, and utterly dependent reliance on the God who always acts righteously and always saves His people.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why does the psalmist appeal to God's "righteousness" for deliverance instead of His mercy or power?
Answer: While God's mercy and power are indeed central to His character and are frequently appealed to elsewhere in Scripture, the psalmist's specific appeal to "righteousness" (צְדָקָה, tsᵉdâqâh) in Psalms 71:2 emphasizes a distinct and crucial aspect of God's nature. In the Old Testament, God's righteousness is deeply intertwined with His covenant faithfulness and His unwavering commitment to uphold justice, particularly for the vulnerable and oppressed. It's not merely abstract justice but His active demonstration of what is right and true, especially in rescuing His people and faithfully fulfilling His promises. By appealing to God's righteousness, the psalmist is essentially declaring, "God, because of who You are—Your just, faithful, and covenant-keeping nature—You are bound by Your own character and integrity to deliver me." It's a powerful and confident appeal to God's consistent action on behalf of those who trust in Him, as seen throughout the Psalms, such as in Psalms 143:1.
What is the significance of the phrase "incline thine ear unto me"?
Answer: The phrase "incline thine ear unto me" (הַט־אָזְנְךָ, hat-ozneka) is a rich and evocative anthropomorphism, attributing a human action to God. Its profound significance lies in conveying God's personal, intimate, and attentive engagement with the psalmist's prayer. It's far more than just passively hearing; it paints a vivid picture of God bending down, leaning in closely, to listen intently and sympathetically to the specific cry of His child. This imagery emphasizes God's profound accessibility, His willingness to be intimately involved in our struggles, and His compassionate response to our petitions. It serves as a powerful assurance to the believer that their prayers are not lost in the vastness of the cosmos but are received with personal care and consideration by a God who is deeply invested in their well-being, a concept beautifully expressed in Psalms 17:6.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 71:2 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The psalmist's desperate plea for deliverance "in thy righteousness" is answered perfectly in Christ, who is the very embodiment of God's righteousness. Through His sinless life, His atoning death on the cross, and His glorious resurrection, Jesus perfectly fulfilled all righteousness, becoming the sole means by which God's justice and mercy harmoniously meet for our salvation (Romans 3:21-26). He is our ultimate Deliverer, rescuing us not merely from temporal distress but from the profound bondage of sin, the power of death, and the dominion of darkness, offering eternal escape and true freedom through His sacrifice (Colossians 1:13-14). Furthermore, the psalmist's longing for God to "incline thine ear" is fully met in Christ, our compassionate High Priest, who perfectly sympathizes with our weaknesses and is perpetually attentive to our prayers, having experienced human suffering Himself (Hebrews 4:15-16). He extends an open invitation to all who are weary and burdened to come to Him, promising rest and attentive care for their souls (Matthew 11:28). In Jesus, God has not only inclined His ear but has fully entered into our human condition to "save us" completely, offering a salvation that is comprehensive, eternal, and the complete fulfillment of every aspect of the psalmist's desperate cry for rescue (Acts 4:12).