71:Title We do not know for certain when and by whom this psalm was written. It seems likely that David was the author. The writer was facing old age (vs 9,18). Looking back over a lifetime of trials and difficulties (v 20) he praises God for His faithfulness, power, and especially for His righteousness. God’s righteousness is referred to five times – verses 2,15,16,19,24. So we may consider it one of the main themes of the psalm. God is always just and acts justly toward all.⚜
71
📚In you, O LORD, I put my trust.Let me never be put to confusion.
2 📚Rescue me in your righteousness,
and enable me to escape.
Bend down your ear to me,
and save me.
3 📚Be my strong dwelling place,
to which I can continually resort.
You have given the command
to save me,
for you are my rock
and my fortress.
71:1-3 These verses are very similar to the opening verses of Psalm 31 penned by David. The writer has trusted Jehovah, the God of the Bible, the Creator of the universe. All his victories and blessings, all his hope flows from this fact. God’s power and righteousness are at work on behalf of those who trust Him. It is a just and righteous thing for God to keep His promises to His children, and therefore He will certainly do so.⚜
71:3 Note on “Rock” at Deut 32:4. Notice the words, “to which I can continually resort”. The door of prayer, of God’s grace, of God’s protection stands always open to the believer. Never an hour, day or night, when he is not welcome to enter (compare Rom 5:2; Eph 2:18; Heb 10:19-22).⚜
4 📚Rescue me, O my God,
from the hands of the wicked,
from the hands of the unrighteous
and cruel man.
5 📚For you are my hope,
O Lord God.
You are my trust
from my youth.
6 📚By you I have been upheld
from birth.
You are the one who took me
from my
mother’s womb.
My praise will continually
be of you.
7 📚I have become like a sign
to many;
but you are my strong
refuge.
71:7 Many knew of his trials and dangers, and how God brought him wonderfully through them all.⚜
8 📚Let my mouth be filled with
your praise and with
your honour all day.
71:8 Now in old age he has one theme only – God.⚜
9 📚Do not reject me in the time
of old age;
do not forsake me when
my strength fails.
10 📚For my enemies speak
against me,
and those who lie in wait
for my life conspire together,
11 📚Saying, “God has forsaken him.
Persecute and take him,
for there is no one
to rescue him.
12 📚O God, do not be far from me.
O my God,
come quickly for my help.
13 📚Let those who are the enemies
of my soul be put to shame
and consumed.
Let those who seek my harm be
covered with scorn and
dishonour.
14 📚But I will hope continually
and will praise you still more
and more.
71:14 Notice the word “continually” – v 3 speaks of continual access, v 6 of continual praise, v 14 of continual hope. Notice the words “all day long” in vs 8,15,24. Continual access to God’s presence gives continual hope which leads to continual praise. Compare Rom 5:1-5.⚜
15 📚My mouth shall declare your
righteousness and your
salvation all day,
though I do not know its
measure.
16 📚I will go in the strength
of the Lord God.
I will mention your righteousness,
yours alone.
71:15-16 Countless mercies call for continual praise. Observe whose righteousness he praises; not his own as hypocrites and Pharisees do (Matt 6:1-2, 5; Luke 18:9-12). Let us not be like those who praise themselves and boast in their own righteousness, not God’s.⚜
17 📚O God, you have taught me
from my youth;
and to this day I have declared
your wonderful works.
18 📚Even when I am old
and gray-headed,
O God, do not forsake me,
until I have declared your strength
to this generation,
and your power to everyone who
is to come.
71:17-18 The person who has God for his teacher has a great teacher indeed! And the younger he begins to learn from God the better. But will God be willing to become our teacher? Yes, He will (Ps 25:4-5; 119:102; Isa 54:13; John 6:45; 14:26; Eph 4:21). If God Himself is the teacher why should men try to teach other men? One of the ways God teaches us is through men whom He has taught – Eph 4:11-13; 1 Tim 4:13; 2 Tim 4:2. So the writer of this psalm is resolved to declare to others what He has learned of God.⚜
19 📚Your righteousness also, O God,
is very lofty,
you who have done great things.
O God, who is like you!
20 📚You, who have showed me
great and severe troubles,
will cause me to live again,
and will bring me up again from the
depths of the earth.
21 📚You will increase my greatness,
and comfort me on every side.
71:20-21 Nothing comes to a child of God that God has not sent, or in His wisdom permitted to come. This is a ground of great assurance and hope. God’s purpose is not to afflict believers or cause them to experience great difficulties, but to teach us, give us new life and raise us at last to new heights and give us new comfort. Compare Gen 50:20; Rom 8:28.⚜
22 📚And with the lyre I will praise you,
and your truth, O my God.
To you I will sing with the harp,
O Holy One of Israel.
23 📚When I sing to you my lips
will greatly rejoice, and my soul,
which you have redeemed.
24 📚My tongue also will speak of your
righteousness all day long;
for those who seek my harm are
disappointed,
they are brought to shame.
71:22-24 Meditating on the greatness and goodness of God brought strong determination to the writer – he will sing to God, praise Him, and speak of His righteousness all day long.⚜