The Bible: Psalms Chapter 71: with Audio and Commentary.

Version: World English Bible.

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Psalms Chapter 71

1 In you, LORD, I take refuge. Never let me be disappointed.

2 Deliver me in your righteousness, and rescue me. Turn your ear to me, and save me.

3 Be to me a rock of refuge to which I may always go. Give the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress.

4 Rescue me, my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man.

5 For you are my hope, Lord GOD, my confidence from my youth.

6 I have relied on you from the womb. You are he who took me out of my mother's womb. I will always praise you.

7 I am a marvel to many, but you are my strong refuge.

8 My mouth shall be filled with your praise, with your honour all day long.

9 Don't reject me in my old age. Don't forsake me when my strength fails.

10 For my enemies talk about me. Those who watch for my soul conspire together,

11 saying, "God has forsaken him. Pursue and take him, for no one will rescue him."

12 God, don't be far from me. My God, hurry to help me.

13 Let my accusers be disappointed and consumed. Let them be covered with disgrace and scorn who want to harm me.

14 But I will always hope, and will add to all of your praise.

15 My mouth will tell about your righteousness, and of your salvation all day, though I don't know its full measure.

16 I will come with the mighty acts of the Lord GOD. I will make mention of your righteousness, even of yours alone.

17 God, you have taught me from my youth. Until now, I have declared your wondrous works.

18 Yes, even when I am old and grey-haired, God, don't forsake me, until I have declared your strength to the next generation, your might to everyone who is to come.

19 Your righteousness also, God, reaches to the heavens; you have done great things. God, who is like you?

20 You, who have shown us many and bitter troubles, you will let me live. You will bring us up again from the depths of the earth.

21 Increase my honour and comfort me again.

22 I will also praise you with the harp for your faithfulness, my God. I sing praises to you with the lyre, Holy One of Israel.

23 My lips shall shout for joy! My soul, which you have redeemed, sings praises to you!

24 My tongue will also talk about your righteousness all day long, for they are disappointed, and they are confounded, who want to harm me.

Footnotes

Version: World English Bible

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Psalms Chapter 71 Guide

This is pre-eminently a song of the aged, and, like old age, it is reminiscent. The singer passes from memory to hope, and from experience to praise. No very definite division is possible. Generally speaking, it may be noticed that the first part expresses need, and is principally prayer, while the second half affirms confidence and is principally praise.

The song opens with a prayer for deliverance (verses Psalms 71:1-8). This is not so much a cry out of present distress as a prayer that in the event of trouble the singer may be able to resort to God. The old man is discovered in that the first three verses are almost a direct quotation from a previous psalm (31), perhaps one of his own. His experience of God from birth is his confidence that he will be heard now. This leads the song on in prayer that he may still be helped in age, for he still has adversaries (verses Psalms 71:9-13). Here again are quotations from earlier psalms which the marginal references will aid the reader in discovering.

The singer then rises to higher levels as he tells of his confidence in God, and asks that he may be helped to declare God to the succeeding generation. The psalm is a song of sunset, and it is full of beauty. There are storm clouds in the western sky. Some are spent, and some still threaten; but on all is a light which transfigures them.

From "An Exposition of the Whole Bible" by G. Campbell Morgan.

Psalms Chapter 71 Commentary

Chapter Outline

  1. Prayers that God would deliver and save. -- (1-13)
  2. Believing praises. -- (14-24)

Verses 1-13

David prays that he might never be made ashamed of dependence upon God. With this petition every true believer may come boldly to the throne of grace. The gracious care of Divine providence in our birth and infancy, should engage us to early piety. He that was our Help from our birth, ought to be our Hope from our youth. Let none expect ease or comfort from the world. Those who love the Lord, often are hated and persecuted; men wondered at for their principles and conduct; but the Lord has been their strong refuge. The faithful servants of God may be assured that he will not cast them off in old age, nor forsake them when their strength fails.

Verses 14-24

The psalmist declares that the righteousness of Christ, and the great salvation obtained thereby, shall be the chosen subject of his discourse. Not on a sabbath only, but on every day of the week, of the year, of his life. Not merely at stated returns of solemn devotion, but on every occasion, all the day long. Why will he always dwell on this? Because he knew not the numbers thereof. It is impossible to measure the value or the fulness of these blessings. The righteousness is unspeakable, the salvation everlasting. God will not cast off his grey-headed servants when no longer capable of labouring as they have done. The Lord often strengthens his people in their souls, when nature is sinking into decay. And it is a debt which the old disciples of Christ owe to succeeding generations, to leave behind them a solemn testimony to the advantage of religion, and the truth of God's promises; and especially to the everlasting righteousness of the Redeemer. Assured of deliverance and victory, let us spend our days, while waiting the approach of death, in praising the Holy One of Israel with all our powers. And while speaking of his righteousness, and singing his praises, we shall rise above fears and infirmities, and have earnests of the joys of heaven. The work of redemption ought, above all God's works, to be spoken of by us in our praises. The Lamb that was slain, and has redeemed us to God, is worthy of all blessing and praise.

From the "Concise Commentary on the Bible" by Matthew Henry.