Psalm 71:11

11 und sie sagen: Gott hat ihn verlassen; verfolget und greifet ihn, denn kein Erretter ist da!

Psalm 71:11 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 71:11

Saying, God hath forsaken him
Good men may seem to others to be forsaken of God; and they themselves may sometimes think they are; and they may be forsaken for a small moment, when God withdraws his gracious presence, or does not afford immediate help; but never finally and totally. This David's enemies concluded, from the distressed condition he was in, being obliged to leave his family and court, and flee from his son, and wander up and down with a small retinue; and this they said to one another, to encourage themselves to lay violent hands upon him, which they thought they might do with ease and impunity; wherefore it follows,

persecute and take him;
pursue after him eagerly and diligently; lose no time; and, when come up to him, seize upon him, without any fear of God or man;

for [there is] none to deliver [him];
out of our hands. God will not, for he has forsaken him; and men cannot, for he has not an army sufficient to defend him or recover him.

Psalm 71:11 In-Context

9 Verwirf mich nicht zur Zeit des Alters; beim Schwinden meiner Kraft verlaß mich nicht!
10 Denn meine Feinde haben von mir geredet, und die auf meine Seele lauern, miteinander geratschlagt;
11 und sie sagen: Gott hat ihn verlassen; verfolget und greifet ihn, denn kein Erretter ist da!
12 O Gott, sei nicht fern von mir; mein Gott, eile zu meiner Hilfe!
13 Laß beschämt werden, laß vergehen, die wider meine Seele sind! Laß mit Hohn und Schande bedeckt werden, die mein Unglück suchen!
The Elberfelder Bible is in the public domain.