Psalms 71:3-13

3 Be thou 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 Rescue me, O my God, 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: [Thou art] my trust from my youth.

6 By thee have I been holden up from the womb; Thou art he that took me out of my mother's bowels: My praise shall be continually of thee.

7 I am as a wonder unto many; But thou art my strong refuge.

8 My mouth shall be filled with thy praise, And with thy honor all the day.

9 Cast me not off in the time of old age; Forsake me not when my strength faileth.

10 For mine enemies speak concerning me; And they that watch for my soul take counsel together,

11 Saying, God hath forsaken him: Pursue and take him; For there is none to deliver.

12 O God, be not far from me; O my God, make haste to help me.

13 Let them be put to shame [and] consumed that are adversaries to my soul; Let them be covered with reproach and dishonor that seek my hurt.

Psalms 71:3-13 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.