Psalms 71:12

12 God, don't just watch from the sidelines. Come on! Run to my side!

Psalms 71:12 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 71:12

O God, be not far from me
God is everywhere, at hand and afar off, with regard to his being, power, and providence; his glorious presence is in heaven, his gracious presence is with his people; but, when he hides his face, he seems to be at a distance; and this they cannot bear, and therefore deprecate it; see ( Psalms 10:1 ) ;

O my God, make haste for my help;
he knew that his help was in God, and that there was none for him elsewhere; and that he could help him when none else could, and was a present help in time of trouble; and it being such a time with him, and his case desperate, he desires the Lord that he would make haste; and he addresses him as his own God, the consideration of which encouraged his faith and hope in him, and carried in it an argument to help him; see ( Psalms 119:94 ) .

Psalms 71:12 In-Context

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
14 while I stretch out, reaching for you, and daily add praise to praise.
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.