Psalms 71:1-7

1 In thee, Jehovah, do I trust: let me never be ashamed.

2 Deliver me in thy righteousness, and rescue me; incline thine ear unto me, and save me.

3 Be to me a rock of habitation, whereunto I may continually resort: thou hast given commandment to save me; for thou art my rock and my fortress.

4 My God, rescue me out of the hand of the wicked, out of the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man.

5 For thou art my hope, O Lord Jehovah, my confidence from my youth.

6 On thee have I been stayed from the womb; from the bowels of my mother thou didst draw me forth: my praise shall be continually of thee.

7 I have been as a wonder unto many; but thou art my strong refuge.

Psalms 71:1-7 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.

Footnotes

• [a]. Sela, as Ps. 18.2 (first time); 31.3, &c.
• [b]. Or 'art my benefactor.'