Psalms 71:8-18

8 My mouth is filled with your praise, declaring your splendor all day long.

9 Do not cast me away when I am old; do not forsake me when my strength is gone.

10 For my enemies speak against me; those who wait to kill me conspire together.

11 They say, “God has forsaken him; pursue him and seize him, for no one will rescue him.”

12 Do not be far from me, my God; come quickly, God, to help me.

13 May my accusers perish in shame; may those who want to harm me be covered with scorn and disgrace.

14 As for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more.

15 My mouth will tell of your righteous deeds, of your saving acts all day long— though I know not how to relate them all.

16 I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, Sovereign LORD; I will proclaim your righteous deeds, yours alone.

17 Since my youth, God, you have taught me, and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds.

18 Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come.

Psalms 71:8-18 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.

Cross References

• 1. ver 15; Psalms 51:15; Psalms 63:5
• 2. Psalms 35:28; Psalms 96:6; Psalms 104:1
• 3. S Psalms 51:11
• 4. ver 18; Psalms 92:14; Isaiah 46:4
• 5. S Deuteronomy 4:31; S Deuteronomy 31:6
• 6. Psalms 3:7
• 7. S Psalms 10:8; Psalms 59:3; Proverbs 1:18
• 8. S Exodus 1:10; S Psalms 31:13; Psalms 56:6; S Matthew 12:14
• 9. S Psalms 9:10; Isaiah 40:27; Isaiah 54:7; Lamentations 5:20; Matthew 27:46
• 10. S Psalms 7:2
• 11. S Psalms 35:22; Psalms 38:21
• 12. Psalms 22:19; Psalms 38:22; Psalms 70:1
• 13. Jeremiah 18:19
• 14. S Job 8:22; Psalms 25:3
• 15. ver 24; S Psalms 70:2
• 16. Psalms 25:3; Psalms 42:5; Psalms 130:7; Psalms 131:3
• 17. S ver 8; S Psalms 66:16; Psalms 35:28; Psalms 40:5
• 18. S Psalms 51:14
• 19. Psalms 9:1; Psalms 77:12; Psalms 106:2; Psalms 118:15; Psalms 145:4
• 20. S Deuteronomy 4:5; S Jeremiah 7:13
• 21. S Job 5:9; Psalms 26:7; Psalms 86:10; Psalms 96:3
• 22. ver 9; Isaiah 46:4
• 23. S Exodus 9:16
• 24. Job 8:8; Psalms 22:30,31; Psalms 78:4; Psalms 145:4; Joel 1:3