Psalms 71:12-22

12 God, don't just watch from the sidelines. Come on! Run to my side!

13 My accusers - make them lose face. Those out to get me - make them look

14 while I stretch out, reaching for you, and daily add praise to praise.

15 I'll write the book on your righteousness, talk up your salvation the livelong day, never run out of good things to write or say.

16 I come in the power of the Lord God, I post signs marking his right-of-way.

17 You got me when I was an unformed youth, God, and taught me everything I know. Now I'm telling the world your wonders;

18 I'll keep at it until I'm old and gray. God, don't walk off and leave me until I get out the news Of your strong right arm to this world, news of your power to the world yet to come,

19 Your famous and righteous ways, O God. God, you've done it all! Who is quite like you?

20 You, who made me stare trouble in the face, Turn me around; Now let me look life in the face. I've been to the bottom;

21 streaming with honors; turn to me, be tender to me,

22 And I'll take up the lute and thank you to the tune of your faithfulness, God. I'll make music for you on a harp, Holy One of Israel.

Psalms 71:12-22 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.