Psalm 71:11

11 Saying, God has given him up; go after him and take him, for he has no helper.

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 Do not give me up when I am old; be my help even when my strength is gone.

10 For my haters are waiting secretly for me; and those who are watching for my soul are banded together in their evil designs,

11 Saying, God has given him up; go after him and take him, for he has no helper.

12 O God, be not far from me; O my God, come quickly to my help.

13 Let those who say evil against my soul be overcome and put to shame; let my haters be made low and have no honour.