Psalm 71

It seems best to understand this Psalm to be a Psalm of David, and we can observe that he is acutely of his limitations. In verse 9 David prays that God would not cast him off in the time of his old age. And that God would not forsake him when his strength is spent. David was towards the end of his life, and not only was he feeling his age, but his weakness before his enemies was surfacing his vulnerability.

Psalm 71:10–11 ESV

10 For my enemies speak concerning me; those who watch for my life consult together 11 and say, “God has forsaken him; pursue and seize him, for there is none to deliver him.”

But David has not lost sight of the complete reality. Yes, he is weak and vulnerable, but as he declares in verse 1:

Psalm 71:1 ESV

1 In you, O Lord, do I take refuge; let me never be put to shame!

Literally, David is saying, In you, O Lord, I have taken refuge .

He has and continues to take refuge in the Lord.

Now, concerning the enemies mentioned in verses 10 & 11: they watch for his life. One commentator describes them as hostile watchers. Their message is that God has forsaken him. And not only has God forsaken Him, everyone else has as well - there is none to deliver him.

David does not hesitate to his turmoil to God. The anguish he is in because of the attacks of his enemies is part of the fuel of his prayer. You and I certainly know the feeling of isolation. We know what it is to struggle against the idea that God may have forsaken us. In these moments, the progression of this Psalm is a help.

David Pleads

Psalm 71:12 ESV

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

We know God doe not leave or forsake us, but in our moments of desperation, we must cry out to Him and plead that promise.

David Preaches

Psalm 71:14 ESV

14 But I will hope continually and will praise you yet more and more.

It’s in the midst of this anguish that David makes this declaration. I will, by the grace of my God hope continually. He won’t do this because of how he feels, but because it is in the Lord, the God who has shown him covenant love that he takes refuge.

Promise

David possesses a confidence in God that transcends his experiences and his feelings:

Psalm 71:19 ESV

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

The righteousness of God is not under threat. David’s age, his weaknesses, his enemies his distress are real, but exist within a more ultimate reality: The righteousness of God is unassailed by the sin and weakness of men. Those who are righteous in Christ are secure.

Psalm 71 ESV

1 In you, O Lord, do I take refuge; let me never be put to shame! 2 In your righteousness deliver me and rescue me; incline your ear to me, and save me! 3 Be to me a rock of refuge, to which I may continually come; you have given the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress. 4 Rescue me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the grasp of the unjust and cruel man. 5 For you, O Lord, are my hope, my trust, O Lord, from my youth. 6 Upon you I have leaned from before my birth; you are he who took me from my mother’s womb. My praise is continually of you. 7 I have been as a portent to many, but you are my strong refuge. 8 My mouth is filled with your praise, and with your glory all the day. 9 Do not cast me off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength is spent. 10 For my enemies speak concerning me; those who watch for my life consult together 11 and say, “God has forsaken him; pursue and seize him, for there is none to deliver him.” 12 O God, be not far from me; O my God, make haste to help me! 13 May my accusers be put to shame and consumed; with scorn and disgrace may they be covered who seek my hurt. 14 But I will hope continually and will praise you yet more and more. 15 My mouth will tell of your righteous acts, of your deeds of salvation all the day, for their number is past my knowledge. 16 With the mighty deeds of the Lord God I will come; I will remind them of your righteousness, yours alone. 17 O God, from my youth you have taught me, and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds. 18 So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come. 19 Your righteousness, O God, reaches the high heavens. You who have done great things, O God, who is like you? 20 You who have made me see many troubles and calamities will revive me again; from the depths of the earth you will bring me up again. 21 You will increase my greatness and comfort me again. 22 I will also praise you with the harp for your faithfulness, O my God; I will sing praises to you with the lyre, O Holy One of Israel. 23 My lips will shout for joy, when I sing praises to you; my soul also, which you have redeemed. 24 And my tongue will talk of your righteous help all the day long, for they have been put to shame and disappointed who sought to do me hurt.