Psalms71
New Living Translation
1 O Lord, I have come to you for protection; don’t let me be disgraced.
2 Save me and rescue me, for you do what is right. Turn your ear to listen to me, and set me free.
3 Be my rock of safety where I can always hide. Give the order to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress.
4 My God, rescue me from the power of the wicked, from the clutches of cruel oppressors.
5 O Lord, you alone are my hope. I’ve trusted you, O Lord, from childhood.
6 Yes, you have been with me from birth; from my mother’s womb you have cared for me. No wonder I am always praising you!
7 My life is an example to many, because you have been my strength and protection.
8 That is why I can never stop praising you; I declare your glory all day long.
9 And now, in my old age, don’t set me aside. Don’t abandon me when my strength is failing.
10 For my enemies are whispering against me. They are plotting together to kill me.
11 They say, “God has abandoned him. Let’s go and get him, for no one will help him now.”
12 O God, don’t stay away. My God, please hurry to help me.
13 Bring disgrace and destruction on my accusers. Humiliate and shame those who want to harm me.
14 But I will keep on hoping for your help; I will praise you more and more.
15 I will tell everyone about your righteousness. All day long I will proclaim your saving power, though I am not skilled with words.
16 I will praise your mighty deeds, O Sovereign Lord. I will tell everyone that you alone are just.
17 O God, you have taught me from my earliest childhood, and I constantly tell others about the wonderful things you do.
18 Now that I am old and gray, do not abandon me, O God. Let me proclaim your power to this new generation, your mighty miracles to all who come after me.
19 Your righteousness, O God, reaches to the highest heavens. You have done such wonderful things. Who can compare with you, O God?
20 You have allowed me to suffer much hardship, but you will restore me to life again and lift me up from the depths of the earth.
21 You will restore me to even greater honor and comfort me once again.
22 Then I will praise you with music on the harp, because you are faithful to your promises, O my God. I will sing praises to you with a lyre, O Holy One of Israel.
23 I will shout for joy and sing your praises, for you have ransomed me.
24 I will tell about your righteous deeds all day long, for everyone who tried to hurt me has been shamed and humiliated.
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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