Psalms 71:15-24

15 My mouth will tell of your righteous deeds, of your saving acts all day long— though I know not how to relate them all.
16 I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, Sovereign LORD; I will proclaim your righteous deeds, yours alone.
17 Since my youth, God, you have taught me, and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds.
18 Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come.
19 Your righteousness, God, reaches to the heavens, you who have done great things. Who is like you, God?
20 Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up.
21 You will increase my honor and comfort me once more.
22 I will praise you with the harp for your faithfulness, my God; I will sing praise to you with the lyre, Holy One of Israel.
23 My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to you— I whom you have delivered.
24 My tongue will tell of your righteous acts all day long, for those who wanted to harm me have been put to shame and confusion.

Psalms 71:15-24 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO PSALM 71

This psalm is without a title, but is thought to be David's: the Septuagint and Vulgate Latin versions, and all the Oriental ones, ascribe it to him; and both the subject and style show it to be his. According to the title of the Syriac version, it was composed by him when Saul made war against the house of David; but this is not likely, since it was written by him in his old age, Ps 71:9,18; rather, according to Kimchi and Arama, it was penned when he fled from his son Absalom: there are several things in it which incline to this. The Septuagint and Vulgate Latin versions call it

``A Psalm of David, of the sons of Jonadab, and of the first that were carried captive;''

and so the Ethiopic and Arabic versions. Apollinarius says the sons of Jonadab composed it; but without any foundation for it; and the Syriac version is, it is a prophecy concerning the sufferings and resurrection of the Messiah; and so Jerom and others interpret it. The literal meaning respecting David seems best, though it may be applied to the church, and to any believer in distress. Theodoret thinks it was written by David in the person of the captives in Babylon.

Cross References 24

  • 1. S ver 8; S Psalms 66:16; Psalms 35:28; Psalms 40:5
  • 2. S Psalms 51:14
  • 3. Psalms 9:1; Psalms 77:12; Psalms 106:2; Psalms 118:15; Psalms 145:4
  • 4. S Deuteronomy 4:5; S Jeremiah 7:13
  • 5. S Job 5:9; Psalms 26:7; Psalms 86:10; Psalms 96:3
  • 6. ver 9; Isaiah 46:4
  • 7. S Exodus 9:16
  • 8. Job 8:8; Psalms 22:30,31; Psalms 78:4; Psalms 145:4; Joel 1:3
  • 9. S Psalms 36:5; Psalms 57:10
  • 10. Psalms 126:2; Luke 1:49
  • 11. Psalms 35:10; Psalms 77:13; Psalms 89:8
  • 12. Psalms 25:17; Psalms 60:3
  • 13. Psalms 80:3,19; Psalms 85:4; Hosea 6:2
  • 14. S Psalms 63:9
  • 15. Psalms 18:35
  • 16. Psalms 23:4; Psalms 86:17; Isaiah 12:1; Isaiah 40:1-2; Isaiah 49:13; Isaiah 54:10
  • 17. Psalms 33:2
  • 18. S Job 21:12; Psalms 92:3; Psalms 144:9
  • 19. S 2 Kings 19:22
  • 20. Psalms 20:5
  • 21. S Exodus 15:13; Psalms 103:4
  • 22. S Psalms 35:28
  • 23. ver 13
  • 24. S Esther 9:2
Scripture quoted by permission.  Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.  NIV®.  Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica.  All rights reserved worldwide.