Psalm 71

1 O Lord, I have hoped in thee: let me never be put to shame.

2 In thy righteousness deliver me and rescue me: incline thine ear to me, and save me.

3 Be to me a protecting God, and a strong hold to save me: for thou art my fortress and my refuge.

4 Deliver me, O my God, from the hand of the sinner, from the hand of the transgressor and unjust man.

5 For thou art my support, O Lord; O Lord, thou art my hope from my youth.

6 On thee have I been stayed from the womb: from the belly of my mother thou art my protector: of thee is my praise continually.

7 I am become as it were a wonder to many: but thou art my strong helper.

8 Let my mouth be filled with praise, that I may hymn thy glory, and thy majesty all the day.

9 Cast me not off at the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength fails.

10 For mine enemies have spoken against me; and they that lay wait for my soul have taken counsel together,

11 saying, God has forsaken him: persecute ye and take him; for there is none to deliver him.

12 O God, go not far from me, O my God, draw nigh to my help.

13 Let those that plot against my soul be ashamed and utterly fail: let those that seek my hurt be clothed with shame and dishonour.

14 But I will hope continually, and will praise thee more and more.

15 My mouth shall declare thy righteousness openly, and thy salvation all the day; for I am not acquainted with the affairs of men.

16 I will go on in the might of the Lord: O Lord, I will make mention of thy righteousness only.

17 O God, thou hast taught me from my youth, and until now will I declare thy wonders;

18 even until I am old and advanced in years. O God, forsake me not; until I shall have declared thine arm to all the generation that is to come:

19 even thy power and thy righteousness, O God, up to the highest heavens, even the mighty works which thou has done: O God, who is like to thee?

20 What afflictions many and sore hast thou shewed me! yet thou didst turn and quicken me, and broughtest me again from the depths of the earth.

21 Thou didst multiply thy righteousness, and didst turn and comfort me, and broughtest me again out of the depths of the earth.

22 I will also therefore give thanks to thee, O God, because of thy truth, on an instrument of psalmody: I will sing psalms to thee on the harp, O Holy One of Israel.

23 My lips shall rejoice when I sing to thee; and my soul, which thou hast redeemed.

24 Moreover also my tongue shall dwell all the day upon thy righteousness; when they shall be ashamed and confounded that seek my hurt.

Psalm 71 Commentary

Chapter 71

Prayers that God would deliver and save. (1-13) Believing praises. (14-24)

Verses 1-13 David prays that he might never be made ashamed of dependence upon God. With this petition every true believer may come boldly to the throne of grace. The gracious care of Divine providence in our birth and infancy, should engage us to early piety. He that was our Help from our birth, ought to be our Hope from our youth. Let none expect ease or comfort from the world. Those who love the Lord, often are hated and persecuted; men wondered at for their principles and conduct; but the Lord has been their strong refuge. The faithful servants of God may be assured that he will not cast them off in old age, nor forsake them when their strength fails.

Verses 14-24 The psalmist declares that the righteousness of Christ, and the great salvation obtained thereby, shall be the chosen subject of his discourse. Not on a sabbath only, but on every day of the week, of the year, of his life. Not merely at stated returns of solemn devotion, but on every occasion, all the day long. Why will he always dwell on this? Because he knew not the numbers thereof. It is impossible to measure the value or the fulness of these blessings. The righteousness is unspeakable, the salvation everlasting. God will not cast off his grey-headed servants when no longer capable of labouring as they have done. The Lord often strengthens his people in their souls, when nature is sinking into decay. And it is a debt which the old disciples of Christ owe to succeeding generations, to leave behind them a solemn testimony to the advantage of religion, and the truth of God's promises; and especially to the everlasting righteousness of the Redeemer. Assured of deliverance and victory, let us spend our days, while waiting the approach of death, in praising the Holy One of Israel with all our powers. And while speaking of his righteousness, and singing his praises, we shall rise above fears and infirmities, and have earnests of the joys of heaven. The work of redemption ought, above all God's works, to be spoken of by us in our praises. The Lamb that was slain, and has redeemed us to God, is worthy of all blessing and praise.

Chapter Summary

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.