Psalms71
New American Standard
1 In You, Lord, I have taken refuge; Let me never be put to shame.
2 In Your righteousness rescue me and save me; Extend Your ear to me and help me.
3 Be to me a rock of dwelling to which I may continually come; You have given the commandment to save me, For You are my rock and my fortress.
4 Save me, my God, from the hand of the wicked, From the grasp of the wrongdoer and the ruthless,
5 For You are my hope; Lord God, You are my confidence from my youth.
6 I have leaned on You since my birth; You are He who took me from my mother’s womb; My praise is continually of You.
7 I have become a marvel to many, For You are my strong refuge.
8 My mouth is filled with Your praise And with Your glory all day long.
9 Do not cast me away at the time of my old age; Do not abandon me when my strength fails.
10 For my enemies have spoken against me; And those who watch for my life have consulted together,
11 Saying, “God has abandoned him; Pursue and seize him, for there is no one to save him.”
12 God, do not be far from me; My God, hurry to my aid!
13 May those who are enemies of my soul be put to shame and consumed; May they be covered with disgrace and dishonor, who seek to injure me.
14 But as for me, I will wait continually, And will praise You yet more and more.
15 My mouth shall tell of Your righteousness And of Your salvation all day long; For I do not know the art of writing.
16 I will come with the mighty deeds of the Lord God; I will make mention of Your righteousness, Yours alone.
17 God, You have taught me from my youth, And I still declare Your wondrous deeds.
18 And even when I am old and gray, God, do not abandon me, Until I declare Your strength to this generation, Your power to all who are to come.
19 For Your righteousness, God, reaches to the heavens, You who have done great things; God, who is like You?
20 You who have shown me many troubles and distresses Will revive me again, And will bring me up again from the depths of the earth.
21 May You increase my greatness And turn to comfort me.
22 I will also praise You with a harp, And Your truth, my God; I will sing praises to You with the lyre, Holy One of Israel.
23 My lips will shout for joy when I sing praises to You; And my soul, which You have redeemed.
24 My tongue also will tell of Your righteousness all day long; For they are put to shame, for they are humiliated who seek my harm.
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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