Psalms 71:11-21

11 Saying, "God has forsaken him. Pursue and take him, for no one will rescue him."

12 God, don't be far from me. My God, hurry to help me.

13 Let my accusers be put to shame and consumed. Let them be covered with disgrace and scorn who want to harm me.

14 But I will always hope, And will add to all of your praise.

15 My mouth will tell about your righteousness, And of your salvation all day, Though I don't know its full measure.

16 I will come with the mighty acts of the Lord GOD. I will make mention of your righteousness, even of yours alone.

17 God, you have taught me from my youth. Until now, I have declared your wondrous works.

18 Yes, even when I am old and gray-headed, God, don't forsake me, Until I have declared your strength to the next generation, Your might to everyone who is to come.

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

20 You, who have shown us many and bitter troubles, You will let me live. You will bring us up again from the depths of the eretz.

21 Increase my honor, And comfort me again.

Psalms 71:11-21 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.