Psalms 71:23

Psalm 71:23 is a powerful declaration of joy and praise, springing from a deep personal experience of God's saving grace. The psalmist expresses an overflowing gratitude, vowing to use his voice to sing praises to the Lord because of the profound act of redemption experienced by his soul.

Context

Psalm 71 is often understood as the prayer of an aged person, possibly King David in his later years, who is facing adversaries and relying on God's faithfulness throughout a long life. The psalmist recounts God's past deliverances and pleads for continued help in old age. This verse, coming near the end of the psalm, is a climactic expression of the confidence and trust that has sustained him. It represents a promise of lifelong praise, rooted in the understanding that God has always been his refuge and strength, much like finding God to be a strong habitation throughout life's journey.

Key Themes

• Redemption as the Source of Joy: The primary reason for the psalmist's exuberant joy and song is God's act of "redeeming" his soul. This isn't just physical rescue but a deeper, spiritual liberation and restoration. This profound joy stems directly from God's act of redemption, a central theme throughout Scripture.
• Heartfelt and Holistic Worship: The verse emphasizes that praise should involve both the "lips" (outward expression, singing) and the "soul" (inner being, deepest gratitude). It highlights authentic worship that flows from the core of one's being, not merely a superficial act. The verse underscores the importance of heartfelt worship, where outward expression of praise is deeply rooted in the inner being.
• Assurance of Salvation: The psalmist speaks of redemption in the past tense ("thou hast redeemed"), indicating a settled assurance of God's saving work in his life. This certainty fuels his present and future praise.

Linguistic Insights

• The Hebrew word for "rejoice" is ranan (רנן), which means to give a ringing cry, often of joy, triumph, or exultation. It suggests an exuberant, loud, and uninhibited expression of delight.
• "Redeemed" comes from the Hebrew padah (פדה), meaning to ransom, deliver, rescue, or buy back. It implies a cost or an act of liberation from bondage, emphasizing God's powerful intervention to set free.

Practical Application

This verse encourages believers today to allow their personal experience of God's redemption to be the wellspring of their praise. It calls for worship that is not merely ritualistic but deeply personal and expressive, engaging both our outward actions and our innermost being. When we truly grasp the magnitude of God's saving work in our lives, our lips cannot help but "greatly rejoice" as we sing His praises. It challenges us to reflect on our own salvation and let that fuel our gratitude and worship.

Reflection

Psalm 71:23 beautifully encapsulates the reason for all true worship: God's faithful and redemptive work. It reminds us that the greatest joy we can experience comes from recognizing that our very souls have been bought back and set free by divine grace, prompting an uncontainable desire to sing praises to our Redeemer.