Psalms 71:10-20

10 My enemies talk about me. They watch me as they plot to take my life.

11 They say, "God has abandoned him. Pursue him and grab him because there is no one to rescue him."

12 O God, do not be so distant from me. O my God, come quickly to help me.

13 Let those who accuse me come to a shameful end. Let those who want my downfall be covered with disgrace and humiliation.

14 But I will always have hope. I will praise you more and more.

15 My mouth will tell about your righteousness, about your salvation all day long. Even then, it is more than I can understand.

16 I will come with the mighty deeds of the Almighty LORD. I will praise your righteousness, yours alone.

17 O God, you have taught me ever since I was young, and I still talk about the miracles you have done.

18 Even when I am old and gray, do not abandon me, O God. Let me live to tell the people of this age what your strength has accomplished, to tell about your power to all who will come.

19 Your righteousness reaches to the heavens, O God. You have done great things. O God, who is like you?

20 You have made me endure many terrible troubles. You restore me to life again. You bring me back from the depths of the earth.

Psalms 71:10-20 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.