Psalms71
American Standard Version · Public Domain
1 In thee, O Jehovah, do I take refuge: Let me never be put to shame.
2 Deliver me in thy righteousness, and rescue me: Bow down thine ear unto me, and save me.
3 Be thou to me a rock of habitation, whereunto I may continually resort: Thou hast given commandment to save me; For thou art my rock and my fortress.
4 Rescue me, O my God, out of the hand of the wicked, Out of the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man.
5 For thou art my hope, O Lord Jehovah: Thou art my trust from my youth.
6 By thee have I been holden up from the womb; Thou art he that took me out of my mother’s bowels: My praise shall be continually of thee.
7 I am as a wonder unto many; But thou art my strong refuge.
8 My mouth shall be filled with thy praise, And with thy honor all the day.
9 Cast me not off in the time of old age; Forsake me not when my strength faileth.
10 For mine enemies speak concerning me; And they that watch for my soul take counsel together,
11 Saying, God hath forsaken him: Pursue and take him; for there is none to deliver.
12 O God, be not far from me; O my God, make haste to help me.
13 Let them be put to shame and consumed that are adversaries to my soul; Let them be covered with reproach and dishonor that seek my hurt.
14 But I will hope continually, And will praise thee yet more and more.
15 My mouth shall tell of thy righteousness, And of thy salvation all the day; For I know not the numbers thereof.
16 I will come with the mighty acts of the Lord Jehovah: I will make mention of thy righteousness, even of thine only.
17 O God, thou hast taught me from my youth; And hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works.
18 Yea, even when I am old and grayheaded, O God, forsake me not, Until I have declared thy strength unto the next generation, Thy might to every one that is to come.
19 Thy righteousness also, O God, is very high; Thou who hast done great things, O God, who is like unto thee?
20 Thou, who hast showed us many and sore troubles, Wilt quicken us again, And wilt bring us up again from the depths of the earth.
21 Increase thou my greatness, And turn again and comfort me.
22 I will also praise thee with the psaltery, Even thy truth, O my God: Unto thee will I sing praises with the harp, O thou Holy One of Israel.
23 My lips shall shout for joy when I sing praises unto thee; And my soul, which thou hast redeemed.
24 My tongue also shall talk of thy righteousness all the day long; For they are put to shame, for they are confounded, that seek my hurt.
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Psalms 71Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Psalms 71. The full AI study guide (summary, themes, context) has its own page.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: Prayers that God would deliver and save. (1–13). Believing praises. (14–24).
vv1-13
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.
vv14-24
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.
Key Words
חָסָה: to flee for protection; figuratively, to confide in
בּוּשׁ: properly, to pale, i.e. by implication to be ashamed; also (by implication) to be disappointed or delayed
צְדָקָה: rightness (abstractly), subjectively (rectitude), objectively (justice), morally (virtue) or figuratively (prosperity)
נָצַל: to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense
פָּלַט: to slip out, i.e. escape; causatively, to deliver
נָטָה: to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application
אֹזֶן: broadness. i.e. (concrete) the ear (from its form in man)
יָשַׁע: properly, to be open, wide or free, i.e. (by implication) to be safe; causatively, to free or succor
צוּר: properly, a cliff (or sharp rock, as compressed); generally, a rock or boulder; figuratively, a refuge; also an edge (as precipitous)
מָעוֹן: an abode, of God (the Tabernacle or the Temple), men (their home) or animals (their lair); hence, a retreat (asylum)
Cross References
Psalms 71Verses 1-3 are taken directly from the opening verses of Psalm 31.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB
Reflects God's providential care in bringing the Psalmist safely from the womb.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Parallels the enemy's taunt that there is no help or deliverance for him in God.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Illustrates the phrase 'given commandment' as God's ordained and sovereign purpose to save.
Supported by JFB
Promises God's faithful preservation and carrying of His people even to old age and gray hairs.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Echoes the urgent plea for God not to be far, but to make haste for help.
Supported by JFB
Matches the prayer that adversaries to his soul be confounded, put to shame, and consumed.
Supported by JFB
Parallels the high, transcendent nature of God's righteousness reaching to the heavens.
Supported by JFB
Provides historical context of Ahithophel taking counsel to pursue David during Absalom's rebellion.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Echoes the praise of God's peerless uniqueness: 'Who is like unto thee!'
Supported by John Calvin
Highlights the central theme of trusting God in old age and gray hairs.
Supported by Matthew Poole