Praying the Psalms (71)

Praying the Psalms

The Psalms, in a sense, give you the permission to pour out your complaints in a way that, probably if it wasn’t for the Psalms, we might think inappropriate.

The Psalms eventually demand that you bow in the end to the sovereignty of God.

Book 1: Psalms 1—41 Book 2: Psalms 42—72 Book 3: Psalms 73—89 Book 4: Psalms 90—106 Book 5: Psalms 107—150

Each of these five books or sections of Psalms ends with a doxology or a song of praise. The final verse of each concluding psalm includes either “Praise the Lord!” or “Amen.”

The elephant in the room is, is that I am surrounded by a whole bunch of old people!

Aging is not just a bodily experience; it’s an intensely spiritual one with cultural relevance, and therefore, worthy of our attention.

Wrinkles, spider veins, the graying of hair, the loss of it all together. Deterioration of muscles, sagging skin, use of walkers or scooters.

Our modern culture tells us to despise age and prize youth.

That is not what the BIBLE SAYS.

God called many of his choicest servants to do their greatest work in their latter years. Abraham was one hundred years old when Isaac was born, and Sarah was ninety when she delivered. Moses was eighty when God enlisted him to lead Israel out of Egyptian bondage. Caleb was eighty-five when he started his conquest. Zacharias and Elizabeth were both advanced in years when God chose them to have a son, John the Baptist. The apostle John was ninety, or perhaps older, when God commissioned commissioned him to write the Book of Revelation.

With each of these saints, God saved the best for last. This quality of steadfast endurance in one's final years is the central theme of Psalm 71.

This song is the prayer of an anonymous saint, one advanced in years, who had trusted God all his life. Now in old age, he still sought divine help as he was attacked by enemies. His adversaries saw that his strength was waning and assumed that God had abandoned him. But the psalmist called on the Lord to deliver him again.

This psalm should make believers aware that God will surely deliver them, no matter how old they might be.

O Worship the King (10)

MAIN IDEA: The psalmist, an old man, finds himself afflicted and attacked by adversaries and cries out for God to be near him and to help him.

Chiastic Structure

A. (1-4) - Prayer for Deliverance

B. (5-7) - From my youth you are my God.

C. (8) - My Mouth shall be filled

D. (9-11) - Prayer against the enemies of my soul.

E. (12) - O God, be near, O God, help.

D. (13-14) - Prayer against adversaries of my soul.

C. (15-16) - My mouth shall tell.

B. (17-18) - From my youth I am yours.

A. (19-24) - Praise for Deliverance.

Song of our Deliverance: O Worship the King (10)

Song of our Youth: Rock of Ages (204)

Song of our Praise Filled Mouth: He Lives (220)

Song of our Ultimate Satisfier: All That Thrills My Soul is Jesus (526)

Song of Nearness and Help: Because He Lives (213)

Seeking the Lord in Old Age As we grow older, life's problems do not go away, but often they actually increase. New troubles must be faced in our latter years. Physical ailments with their pains and limitations must be faced. Loss of power and income can be sobering. Retirement can provide additional spare time, allowing the wandering mind to be too active in analyzing potential problems. Loneliness and discouragement can quickly settle in. The loss of a spouse through death can lead to despair. Loss of lifelong friends can compound these feelings of despondency. Watching a changing world that is disintegrating and becoming increasingly evil adds to the frustration. Likewise, the constant reminder that our own death is looming on the horizon can add a sense of panic. All of these issues can accelerate in old age, bringing tests to our faith as never before. In the latter years of life, we need the Lord more than ever.