Psalm 71

Psalm 71 is a heartfelt prayer from someone seeking refuge and strength in God during old age. The psalmist expresses trust in God, recalls His past deliverance, and asks for continued protection. It is a blend of lament, praise, and petition, showing unwavering faith in God's ability to save despite life's challenges.

Psalm 71:1-10 (NKJV)
1 In You, O Lord, I put my trust;
Let me never be put to shame.
2 Deliver me in Your righteousness, and cause me to escape;
Incline Your ear to me, and save me.
3 Be my strong refuge,
To which I may resort continually;
You have given the commandment to save me,
For You are my rock and my fortress.
4 Deliver me, O my God, out of the hand of the wicked,
Out of the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man.
5 For You are my hope, O Lord God;
You are my trust from my youth.
6 By You I have been upheld from birth;
You are He who took me out of my mother’s womb.
My praise shall be continually of You.
7 I have become as a wonder to many,
But You are my strong refuge.
8 Let my mouth be filled with Your praise
And with Your glory all the day.
9 Do not cast me off in the time of old age;
Do not forsake me when my strength fails.
10 For my enemies speak against me;
And those who lie in wait for my life take counsel together.

The psalmist begins by expressing trust in God, pleading not to face shame for relying on Him. He asks for deliverance through God’s righteousness, acknowledging God as a continual place of refuge and protection. Reflecting on God’s faithfulness throughout life—from birth to old age—the psalmist recounts how God has upheld him. Despite becoming a subject of wonder or perhaps mockery, he finds God to be his solid foundation. As strength wanes in old age, the psalmist fears abandonment and emphasizes the need for God's presence, especially since enemies are plotting against him.

Psalm 71:11-16 (NKJV)
11 Saying, “God has forsaken him;
Pursue and take him, for there is none to deliver him.”
12 O God, do not be far from me;
O my God, make haste to help me!
13 Let them be confounded and consumed
Who are adversaries of my life;
Let them be covered with reproach and dishonor
Who seek my hurt.
14 But I will hope continually,
And will praise You yet more and more.
15 My mouth shall tell of Your righteousness
And Your salvation all the day,
For I do not know their limits.
16 I will go in the strength of the Lord God;
I will make mention of Your righteousness, of Yours only.

The psalmist portrays the enemies’ perception that God has abandoned him, prompting their attack. In response, he urgently pleads for God’s quick intervention and protection. The psalmist hopes for his enemies to be humiliated and brought to shame. Despite the danger, he chooses to maintain hope and continue praising God. He commits to declaring God’s righteousness and limitless salvation, relying not on his own strength but on God’s.

Psalm 71:17-21 (NKJV)
17 O God, You have taught me from my youth;
And to this day I declare Your wondrous works.
18 Now also when I am old and grayheaded,
O God, do not forsake me,
Until I declare Your strength to this generation,
Your power to everyone who is to come.
19 Also Your righteousness, O God, is very high,
You who have done great things;
O God, who is like You?
20 You, who have shown me great and severe troubles,
Shall revive me again,
And bring me up again from the depths of the earth.
21 You shall increase my greatness,
And comfort me on every side.

The psalmist acknowledges God's lifelong teaching and expresses a desire to continue proclaiming God’s works even in old age. He asks God not to forsake him until he has passed on knowledge of God's strength to future generations. The psalmist reflects on God’s greatness, recognizing that no one compares to Him. Even though he has faced many hardships, he trusts that God will revive him and restore his honor. He anticipates both comfort and the restoration of his standing.

Psalm 71:22-24 (NKJV)
22 Also with the lute I will praise You—
And Your faithfulness, O my God!
To You I will sing with the harp,
O Holy One of Israel.
23 My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing to You,
And my soul, which You have redeemed.
24 My tongue also shall talk of Your righteousness all the day long;
For they are confounded,
For they are brought to shame
Who seek my hurt.

The psalmist concludes by promising to praise God with musical instruments, rejoicing in His faithfulness. He speaks of singing joyfully because of God’s redemption. Finally, the psalmist vows to declare God's righteousness all day, confident that his enemies will ultimately face shame for seeking his harm. The psalm ends on a note of hope and triumph, with the psalmist assured of God's justice and deliverance.