Psalm 71:9

9 Don't discard me in my old age: as my strength fails, do not abandon me.^[a]

Psalm 71:9 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 71:9

Cast me not off in the time of old age
The Lord never casts off nor casts away his people, whom he foreknew; they are near unto him; they are on his heart, and are engraven on the palms of his hands; and they shall never be removed from his heart's love, nor out of his arms, nor out of his covenant, and shall always be the objects of his care: he bears and carries them to old age, and even to hoary hairs: the Lord had been the guide of David's youth, and his trust then, ( Psalms 71:5 ) ; and now he desires he would be the staff of his old age; at which age he was when Absalom rebelled against him;

forsake me not when my strength faileth:
as it does when old age comes on; then the keepers of the house tremble, and the strong men bow themselves, and especially at death, when flesh and heart fail; but God will never forsake his people, neither in youth nor in old age, neither in life nor at death.

Psalm 71:9 In-Context

7 I have become an ominous sign to many, but You are my strong refuge.

8 My mouth is full of praise and honor to You all day long.

9 Don't discard me in my old age: as my strength fails, do not abandon me.

10 For my enemies talk about me, and those who spy on me plot together,

11 saying, "God has abandoned him; chase him and catch him, for there is no one to rescue [him]."

Footnotes

• [a] Ps 27:9; 71:18; Isa 46:3-4