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Psalms 71:2

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Deliver me in thy righteousness, and cause me to escape: incline thine ear unto me, and save me.

Deliver {H5337}{H8686)} me in thy righteousness {H6666}, and cause me to escape {H6403}{H8762)}: incline {H5186}{H8685)} thine ear {H241} unto me, and save {H3467}{H8685)} me.

In your righteousness, rescue me; and help me to escape. Turn your ear toward me, and deliver me.

In Your justice, rescue and deliver me; incline Your ear and save me.

Deliver me in thy righteousness, and rescue me: Bow down thine ear unto me, and save me.

Commentary

Psalms 71:2 is a fervent prayer for divine intervention, demonstrating a deep trust in God's character as the basis for deliverance. The psalmist, likely an older individual facing significant distress, appeals to God's inherent righteousness and His attentive care, seeking immediate rescue from his troubles.

Context

Psalm 71 is a poignant prayer of an aged believer who has trusted God throughout their life (verses 5-6). It expresses a plea for continued protection and deliverance from enemies and those who seek to harm or shame them (verses 9-13). The psalmist's vulnerability in old age underscores the urgent need for God's constant presence and intervention, making this verse a crucial opening to his earnest appeal.

Key Themes

  • Reliance on God's Righteousness: The psalmist's plea is founded not on personal merit, but on God's just, faithful, and covenant-keeping nature. This is a foundational aspect of God's character as described throughout the Psalms. His righteousness guarantees His commitment to His promises and His people.
  • Urgency of Deliverance: The repeated requests to "deliver," "escape," and "save" highlight the immediate and pressing danger the psalmist faces, emphasizing a desperate need for divine intervention.
  • Intimate Appeal for Attention: "Incline thine ear unto me" is a powerful anthropomorphism, signifying a deep desire for God to listen closely and personally to their cry. This reflects a relationship where the believer feels heard and known, much like in Psalms 116:2, where the psalmist praises God for hearing his voice.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "righteousness," tsedaqah (צְדָקָה), in this context refers not merely to abstract justice but to God's active faithfulness to His covenant promises and His character as the one who always acts in accordance with what is right and true. It's His consistent nature that forms the basis of the psalmist's hope for rescue. The phrase "incline thine ear" (הַט־אָזְנְךָ, hat-ozneka) paints a vivid picture of God bending down to listen intently, emphasizing His willingness to hear and respond to the humble cry of His children.

Practical Application

Psalms 71:2 provides a timeless model for prayer, especially during times of distress or vulnerability.

  • Foundation in God's Character: It teaches us to anchor our prayers not in our own worthiness, but in God's unchanging righteousness and faithfulness. Our hope for deliverance is in who God is, not what we deserve.
  • Boldness in Petition: We are encouraged to present our needs clearly and urgently to God, trusting that He is willing to listen and act on our behalf.
  • Assurance of Being Heard: The plea to "incline thine ear" reminds us that God is attentive to the cries of His people, promising a personal and engaged response to those who call upon Him. This assurance brings comfort and strengthens faith, knowing that salvation belongs to the Lord and He is always ready to save.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 31:1 (9 votes)

    ¶ To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness.

  • Psalms 17:6 (7 votes)

    I have called upon thee, for thou wilt hear me, O God: incline thine ear unto me, [and] hear my speech.

  • Psalms 116:1 (6 votes)

    ¶ I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice [and] my supplications.

  • Psalms 116:2 (6 votes)

    Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon [him] as long as I live.

  • Psalms 143:11 (6 votes)

    Quicken me, O LORD, for thy name's sake: for thy righteousness' sake bring my soul out of trouble.

  • Psalms 34:15 (5 votes)

    The eyes of the LORD [are] upon the righteous, and his ears [are open] unto their cry.

  • Psalms 143:1 (5 votes)

    ¶ A Psalm of David. Hear my prayer, O LORD, give ear to my supplications: in thy faithfulness answer me, [and] in thy righteousness.