Psalms 71:11

11 The gossip is: "God has abandoned him. Pounce on him now; no one will help him."

Psalms 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.

Psalms 71:11 In-Context

9 But don't turn me out to pasture when I'm old or put me on the shelf when I can't pull my weight.
10 My enemies are talking behind my back, watching for their chance to knife me.
11 The gossip is: "God has abandoned him. Pounce on him now; no one will help him."
12 God, don't just watch from the sidelines. Come on! Run to my side!
13 My accusers - make them lose face. Those out to get me - make them look
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.