by Mike Johnson
via Seeking Things Above

Text: Psalm 71

Young people may consider an aged person’s life free from problems.  For example, they see an older person as one who does not have to face the difficulties of employment, child-rearing, and sometimes even house payments.  They may note that a person who has advanced in years may receive a monthly income without working, have the time to travel, and engage in numerous endeavors that others cannot.  However, reaching the “Golden Years” does not mean the end of problems and suffering.  Psalm 71 resoundingly teaches this idea.

The psalmist identifies himself as an aged person. In Psalm 71:9, he pleaded to God, “Do not cast me off in the time of old age; do not forsake me when my strength fails.” He continued in Psalms 71:18, “Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, do not forsake me . . . .”   We also learn he served God from his youth (See Psalms 71:5, 17).

What is this Psalm about?  In addition to the title listed above, various writers use other titles that can summarize what the psalm addresses.  They are:

• God, the Rock of Salvation
• Forsake Me Not When My Strength Is Spent
• Prayer of an Old Man for Deliverance
• An Old Person’s Prayer
• Godly Old Age

One writer, Charles Spurgeon, summed up the psalm in this way:

"We have here the prayer of the aged believer, who, in holy confidence of faith, strengthened by a long and remarkable experience, pleads against his enemies, and asks further blessings for himself. Anticipating a gracious reply, he promises to magnify the Lord exceedingly."

Who Is the Author?

This psalm lacks one of the ancient superscriptions found above many other psalms.  (These identify the author and sometimes the occasion of the writing.)  Thus, it is impossible to determine the writer with certainty.  However, there are reasons to conclude that David wrote it.  Consider some of the evidence.

1. Some feel that Psalm 70 introduces Psalm 71, and that the two psalms were originally one. The two psalms show strong continuity.  The title of Psalm 70 has David as its writer.
2. The Greek Septuagint translation adds a superscription to the beginning of Psalm 71, designating it as “A Psalm of David.”
3. There are many similarities to other psalms David wrote (e.g., Psalms 22, 31, 35, 40, and 109). Specifically, Psalms 71:1-3 and 31:1-3 (ascribed to David) are almost identical.
4. In Psalms 71:22, the author praises God with a lute and sings with the harp. Some Psalms mention stringed instruments by an unknown writer, and some known authors other than David cite them. However, stringed instruments are undoubtedly characteristic of David (I Samuel 16:14-23; Psalms 6; 12; 57; 108; 144). These references can support a conclusion of Davidic authorship.

Thus, a strong case is made that David is the author, and we will consider him as such in this study.  Also, many conclude that he wrote it when he fled from Absalom.

The writer of this psalm trusted in God, whom he called his rock and strong refuge. He expresses confidence that God would not forsake him in his old age. This relationship existed from the start of his life until its end. Enemies surrounded him, but, as we will see, his devotion to a righteous and merciful God pulled him through. This psalm should benefit everyone. Even if we are not aged now, we may be down the road. Also, hardships can happen at any age, so the psalm has broad application.

A Plea for Deliverance (Psalms 71:1-4)

Psalms 71:1-4 contains a brief introduction, which includes various requests. It says,

“In You, O Lord, I put my trust; Let me never be put to shame. Deliver me in Your righteousness, and cause me to escape; incline Your ear to me, and save me. Be my strong refuge, to which I may resort continually; You have given the commandment to save me, for You are my rock and my fortress. Deliver me, O my God, out of the hand of the wicked, out of the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man.”

In the beginning, we see that his trust was in the Lord, where it should have been. It was not in an idol or a false deity.

The Hebrew word translated as “trust” (NKJV) is rendered by most translations as “take refuge.” Sometimes God uses it figuratively to mean taking refuge under His wings. Consider Psalm 36:7, “How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings.”  In Ruth 2:12, Boaz told Ruth that the Lord would reward her “under whose wings you have come for refuge.”  Finally, Proverbs 14:32 says, in contrast to the wicked, “the righteous has a refuge in death.”  The psalmist trusted God and could go to Him for protection and refuge, as a baby chick would go to its mother.

Today, some people are hesitant to have confidence in God.  Perhaps this is because they have not seen Him.  Some people may have more difficulty trusting someone they have never seen.  Also, many do not know much about God.  It is harder to trust someone we do not know.  Finally, some may have trust issues due to past experiences.  Thus, a person might ask, “Why should I trust anyone?”

If one person says to another, “Trust me.” he may respond, “Why should I?”   It can help to have reasons to trust another.  Consider four reasons to trust God.

1. God never lies or fails to keep His promises. People often do not do what they say they will.  A person may make a promise and fail to keep it, which is never the case with God.  Consider Numbers 23:19, which says, “God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent.  Has He said, and will He not do?  Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?” In Deuteronomy 7:9, we are told, “Therefore know that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments.”  We can count on God.
2. God cares for His creation. In Matthew 6:25-34, Jesus tells His followers not to worry. He speaks of His care for the birds of the air, the beauty of the lilies, and the grass of the field. He points out that if God cares for these, He will care for His people even more (Matthew 6:33). Also, in Matthew 7:7-12, the Lord points out that an earthly father gives good gifts to his children. Then He says, “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!” (Matthew 7:11). Romans 8:28 tells us, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” Then Romans 8:35 says, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?” God's care for us is another reason to trust Him!
3. God has proven Himself to be trustworthy. Throughout Scripture, we read of God's trustworthiness as He fulfilled His promises. In Genesis 12:1-3, we read of the land, nation, and seed promise to Abraham. God would give Abraham’s descendants a land, and they would become a great nation. He also promised that all nations of the earth would be blessed, related to Christ’s eventual coming. God fulfilled these promises. In I Kings 8:56, Solomon said, “Blessed be the Lord, who has given rest to His people Israel, according to all that He promised. There has not failed one word of all His good promise, which He promised through His servant Moses.” The Lord has proven Himself in our own lives, the lives of others, and the lives of the people we can read about in the Bible.
4. God is sovereign.  Holman Bible Dictionary defines God’s sovereignty as “The biblical teaching that God is the source of all creation and that all things come from and depend upon Him.”

God is in control.  He created the universe, and He rules over all.   God is omniscient (has all knowledge) and omnipotent (has all power).  Psalm 24:1 explains, “The earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell therein.”  Psalm 103:19 says, “The Lord has established His throne in heaven, and His kingdom rules over all.”  In Jeremiah’s prayer to God, he said, “Ah, Lord God!  Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm.  There is nothing too hard for You” (Jeremiah 32:19).

In daily life, we may be unable to trust certain people to do a particular task because they lack the knowledge and ability.  For example, we would not trust our plumbers to perform brain surgery on us.  Likewise, we may be unable to trust our physicians to wire our house.  However, we can completely trust God in everything because God is sovereign!

Further, because he trusts in God, the writer can make five requests of Him.  Consider them.

1. “Let me never be put to shame” (Psalms 71:1) — The concept of being “put to shame” is often found in Psalms. Sometimes, the writer asks that his enemies, or the wicked, be put to shame. Here, the psalmist asks God not to shame him. In this verse, the writer does not seem to speak in the sense of being ashamed of confessing God (Romans 1:16), but in the sense of being confounded or perplexed by something or someone (Job 6:20; Isaiah 30:5; Jeremiah 2:26; 14:3-4). The idea is this: if God answered his prayers, he would not be ashamed (confounded) when his enemies triumphed, gloating in their idols and bringing reproach against God (cf. Numbers 14:11-16). He would be in this state of shame due to God not acting on his behalf, i.e., if He did not deliver him (Psalms 71:2). However, as we will see, David had complete confidence in God and knew he would not be ashamed.
2. “Deliver me in your righteousness” (Psalms 71:2) — God’s righteousness is often mentioned in this Psalm (e.g., 2, 15, 16, 19, 24). What does the righteousness of God mean? Consider the following explanation, which appears to fit the use in this verse. “The righteousness of God is the essential perfection of his nature and is frequently used to designate his holiness, justice, and faithfulness” [McClintock and Strong Encyclopedia]. Because God keeps his promises and is righteous, the psalmist asks the Lord to deliver him. Delivering him would be in keeping with God’s righteousness. What kind of deliverance is he speaking of? Most likely, he is talking about physical deliverance from his enemies, i.e., "snatch me from my enemies." (Note also Psalms 71:10.) Compare Psalm 17:13, which says, “Arise, O Lord, confront him, cast him down; deliver my life from the wicked with Your sword.” Also, the “escape” parallels “deliver” (Psalms 71:2).

3. “Incline Your ear to me and save me” (Psalms 71:2) — After telling God he trusts Him, the writer asks the Lord to listen to his prayers. The writers of Psalms often speak of the “ear” of God (usually saying “give ear”) and use this wording when making requests of God through prayer. (c.f., Psalms 17:1, 6) David says, “Please, Lord, I trust you; please listen to my prayers and deliver me from my enemies.” In The Treasury of David, Charles Spurgeon expressed it:

“Stoop to my feebleness, and hear my faint whispers; be gracious to my infirmities, and smile upon me: I ask salvation; listen thou to my petitions, and save me.  Like one wounded and left for dead by mine enemies, I need that thou bend over me and bind up my wounds.”

4. “Be my strong refuge, to which I may resort continually . . . for You are my rock and my fortress” (Psalms 71:3) — He wants God to be his dependable, constantly accessible, strong refuge . . . his rock and his fortress. God is the “rock of salvation” and a “rock of refuge.” The word “rock” appears figuratively in various places in Scripture to describe God. The writers call Him the “rock of my salvation,” “a rock or refuge,” or simply a “rock.” As expected, the term appears primarily in the book of Psalms, a book of poetry that uses figurative language. In another Psalm, for instance, David wrote, “The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold” (Psalms 18:2). Also, Psalms 46:1-3 encourages God’s people as it says, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.  Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though its waters roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with its swelling.” The use of this metaphor, however, goes beyond Psalms. Moses, for example, referred to God as a “rock” several times in Deuteronomy 32 in what is known as “The Song of Moses.” In Deuteronomy 32:3-4, he exclaims, “For I proclaim the name of the Lord: ascribe greatness to our God.  He is the Rock; His work is perfect; for all His ways are justice, a God of truth and without injustice; righteous and upright is He ...”  Also, Hannah spoke of God, saying, “No one is holy like the Lord, For there is none besides You, nor is there any rock like our God” (I Samuel 2:2). Elsewhere, in II Samuel 22:2-3, again, David composed a song on the day when he was delivered from all his enemies and from Saul, in which he said God was his “rock” and “fortress.” Also, with some of his final words, he referred to God as “the Rock of Israel” (II Samuel 21:3). What does this figure of speech (metaphor) mean? The idea is that God is like a rock –– He is like a fortress. A rock is durable and stable; strong forts were built of stone to provide protection. Thus, God was his protector, his strength, and his refuge. Today, people can have the same relationship with God. Is God your rock and your fortress?

5. “Deliver me, O my God, out of the hand of the wicked” (Psalms 71:4) — Again, he asks for deliverance (c.f., Psalms 71:2); now we learn from whom he wanted to be delivered. It was from the “wicked,” also referred to in this verse as “cruel” and the “unrighteous” (Psalms 71:4). Thus, the danger was from another person, his enemy. Why does this happen? Jesus explains in John 15:18-19. “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.”

 His Lifelong Trust in the Lord (Psalms 71:5-8)

 "For You are my hope, O Lord God; You are my trust from my youth. By You I have been upheld from birth; You are He who took me out of my mother’s womb. My praise shall be continually of You. I have become as a wonder to many, but You are my strong refuge. Let my mouth be filled with Your praise and with Your glory all the day."

Previously, David had cried for deliverance. Psalms 71:5-6 show the basis for his plea and his confidence in God, who was his “hope” and “trust.” God had always been there for him, even from his earliest days. Think about his defeat of Goliath, which happened when he was very young. Because of God’s deliverance at this early stage of his life and throughout his life, the psalmist knew he could count on Him even during his old age. In Psalm 71:6, he says God had upheld him from youth.

Parents are responsible for training their children from a young age (Proverbs 22:6), which is very important. However, many people grow up without God in their homes. Ideally, children learn about God from the earliest stages of life through parental training. Yet, many do not have this in their lives. In this case, young people must seek God, even without help from home, and recognize God’s love and care for them. It is never too late to seek God.

David faced hardships (e.g., Psalms 71:4, 10, 12-13). However, appreciating God’s loving care, even from his youth, his praises to God would be “continually” (Psalms 71:6). Some might find this difficult, especially when times are bad, but as with the psalmist, we can do this if God is our “hope” and “trust.” Throughout this psalm, the writer also mentions praising God no matter what may come (e.g., Psalms 71:8, 14, 22-24). What a valuable lesson for us today.

In Psalms 71:7, we learn that the psalmist had become “a wonder to many.” (This is translated as “marvel” by the NASB and “portent” by several other translations.) How had the writer become a “wonder to many?”

It would have been clear to most that God was with David.  Again, people would have been amazed when David, a young shepherd, went up against the well-armed giant, Goliath, and defeated him.  In addition, people would have wondered as David escaped Saul's wrath and rose to become king of Israel.  Although dire situations often existed, David overcame them because of God’s care.  Although this view seems to fit the context, some view this verse negatively, with the idea that the people were amazed that someone like David, a man of God, could be so afflicted.  Consider the following quote contrasting the two positions.

As this first section concludes, the psalmist describes himself as “a wonder to many.” The word for “wonder” means a supernatural direct display of divine power, such as in the plagues of Exodus (Exodus 11:9). It may inspire terror or worship and is often linked to signs that reveal God’s purposes.  The psalmist could be a “wonder” because of God’s gracious work in him, but he may also be a wonder because of an illness and thus a sign of judgment [Williams 480].

Regardless, the secret to overcoming is in Psalms 71:7, where he says of God, “You are my strong refuge.”

In Psalms 71:6, he says he will praise God continually, and in Psalms 71:8, the writer continues to speak to himself, saying he will let his mouth be filled with God’s praise and glory all day. Why would he do this? The answer is in Psalms 71:5-7. God has proven Himself in the past—He is his hope and trust— so he would fill his mouth with God’s praise throughout the day.

Do Not Forsake Me (Psalms 71:9-13)

"Do not cast me off in the time of old age; Do not forsake me when my strength fails. For my enemies speak against me; and those who lie in wait for my life take counsel together, saying, “God has forsaken him; pursue and take him, for there is none to deliver him.” O God, do not be far from me; O my God, make haste to help me! Let them be confounded and consumed who are adversaries of my life; let them be covered with reproach and dishonor who seek my hurt."

Note the parallelism in Psalms 71:9. Do not “cast me off” or “forsake me” during “the time of old age” or “when my strength fails.” God had been with David since his youth. Yet, in his old age, he feels more vulnerable. When he was young, he could fight back or flee to the mountains. But what about in old age? To make matters worse, the writer has enemies trying to kill him (Psalms 71:10), like vultures waiting to devour prey. Yet, his opponents made two false assumptions. They felt God had forsaken him and that no one would deliver him (Psalms 71:11). The psalmist sought God’s help, urgently cried out to Him (Psalms 71:12), and then denounced his enemies (Psalms 71:13).

Today, we should understand that old age, as with David, does not mark the end of life’s problems. Older people are more vulnerable than when they were young. As their “strength fails,” they may no longer be physically able to do what they did in the past, including routine tasks. The elderly are more prone to disease, and their bodies are worn. Old age can become a time of fear and anxiety. As we will see, however, the writer trusted the Lord and felt God would be available to him in old age, just as he had been during his youth.

Hope and Praise (Psalms 71:14-18)

"But I will hope continually, and will praise You yet more and more. My mouth shall tell of Your righteousness and Your salvation all the day, for I do not know their limits. I will go in the strength of the Lord God; I will make mention of Your righteousness, of Yours only. O God, You have taught me from my youth; and to this day I declare Your wondrous works. Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, do not forsake me, until I declare Your strength to this generation, Your power to everyone who is to come."

Despite the psalmist’s trouble, old age, and the dangers he faced, he continued to have hope, and his praise for God increased (Psalms 71:14). The writers of Psalms—especially David—fill its pages with praise to Jehovah. Today, we must keep hope and praise God, not just when times are good but also when life brings challenges. We must not ever stop praising God!

In Psalms 71:14, David said he would “hope continually” and praise God “more and more.” (Note also Psalms 71:6, 8.) He trusted God, and his hope would continue; he had every reason to keep praising God in the future.

In Psalms 71:15-18, David states in various ways that he would teach about God and specifies what he would teach. He would:

• tell of God’s righteousness and salvation (Psalms 71:15),
• make mention of God’s righteousness and His only (Psalms 71:16),
• declare God’s wondrous works (Psalms 71:17),
• declare God’s strength and power (Psalms 71:18).

In Psalms 71:18, the writer gives a reason for asking God not to forsake him in his old age. He wanted to live long enough to tell the younger generation about God. Some people become old and decide that, as they retire from their jobs, they can “retire” from the responsibilities of being a Christian. However, the psalmist’s reason for continuing to live was to have the opportunity to teach younger people.

Elsewhere, Psalm 92:12-13 says the righteous flourish like a palm tree, grow like a cedar in Lebanon, and flourish in the courts of God. Psalm 71:14-15 continues, “They shall still bear fruit in old age; they shall be fresh and flourishing, to declare that the Lord is upright; He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.”  Those advanced in years must continue to declare God’s uprightness and bear fruit for Him.

Examples of God using aged people in His service exist throughout Scripture.  Consider some cases.

1. Moses and Aaron — Moses was 40 years old when he smote the Egyptians (Acts 7:23); he was 80, and Aaron was 83 when God called them to deliver His people (Exodus 7:7). Moses died at 120 (Deuteronomy 34:7). They accomplished so much for the Lord in the last segment of their lives.
2. Joshua and Caleb — Joshua, who led the conquest of the land of Canaan, took over this role in his 80s. He lived to be 110 (Joshua 24:29), so this important leadership role in God’s service came late in his life.   On the other hand, Caleb, a leader during the conquest, was in his 40s when he was sent to spy out the land and was in his 80s when he took over the leadership role (Joshua 14:6-11). Caleb remained a faithful servant of God throughout his life.
3. Zacharias and Elizabeth — These became the parents of John the Baptist, the forerunner of Christ. Luke 1 describes them as being “well advanced in years” (Luke 1:7, 18, 36) and also says Elizabeth was “barren.” The angel Gabriel appeared to Zecharias and told him they would have a child, whom they would call “John,” and he would prepare the way for Christ. Also, Zecharias was still serving in the temple despite his age.
4. Simeon and Anna — Two older people who were present when the Christ child was brought to the temple for circumcision (Luke 2:22-38). Scripture describes Simon as a just and devout man “waiting for the Consolation of Israel.” The Holy Spirit had revealed to him that he would live long enough to see Jesus Christ (Luke 2:25-26). He prophesied about Christ in Luke 2:29-31 and said that since he had seen Him, he was ready to “depart in peace” (Luke 2:20). We do not know precisely how old Simeon was, but it is clear that he continued to serve God even though he was advanced in years. Also, Anna is described as “ ... a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day” (Luke 2:37). Like the psalmist, she then spread the message about the Lord (Luke 2:38). It is clear that, although aged, she was devoted to God, and serving Him was the center of her life.
5. Paul — We do not know exactly how old Paul was when he consented to Stephen's death and “made havoc of the church” (Acts 8:1-3), but from his conversion (Acts 9) until he was an old man near death, we learn of his faithfulness to the Lord. Despite persecutions (II Corinthians 11:22-28), he faithfully served God until the end. In Philemon 9, while in prison for the cause of Christ, he called himself “Paul the aged.” During what was probably a later imprisonment, apparently near the very end, he wrote to Timothy, “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand.  I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.  Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing” (II Timothy 4:6-8). Like the psalmist, for as long as Paul lived, he declared the “strength” and “power” of God to everyone he could.

Old age is supposed to be a productive time when the righteous continue to honor God and spread His message. For qualified men, it is a time for some to become elders or overseers (Acts 20:17, 28; Titus 1:5-9; I Timothy 3:1-7). Older women are to teach the younger women (Titus 2:3-5). Many become slack in serving God when they reach the age when they can do the most! But David declared God's strength and power until the end, and the aged should do all they can as long as they live.

Confidence in God (Psalms 71:19-21)

"Also Your righteousness, O God, is very high, You who have done great things; O God, who is like You? You, who have shown me great and severe troubles, shall revive me again, and bring me up again from the depths of the earth. You shall increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side."

In Psalms 71:19, he praises God in two ways and then asks a question. (Compare Psalms 36:5; 57:5; 10; 89:6-8.) First, notice the praises. He says:

1. God’s righteousness is “very high.” (The ESV says, “reaches the high heavens.”) The righteousness of God here seems to refer to His right dealings, i.e., God cannot be faulted for what He does — everything He does is just. Throughout this psalm, he readily exalts God’s righteousness and is not hesitant to tell others about it. Four other times, the writer mentions God's righteousness (Psalms 71:2, 15, 16, 24), and three times he speaks of conveying the concept to others.
2. God has done “great things.” This description parallels the “wondrous works” of Psalm 71:17. Merely reading David's story in the Old Testament reveals many great things God did for him. Later, God brought the children of Israel out of captivity. In connection with this event, the people said in Psalms 126:3, “The Lord has done great things for us, and we are glad.”   All that God does for us today should cause us joy. We should all rejoice in God's ultimate gift from God —salvation. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

After speaking about God’s mercy, power, strength, might, and love, the psalmist asks a rhetorical question.  He asks, “Oh God, who is like you?” In II Samuel 7:22, David expresses a similar thought after thanking God. “Therefore You are great, O Lord God. For there is none like You, nor is there any God besides You, according to all that we have heard with our ears.” Earlier, in the Song of Moses, the people sang, “Who is like You, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like You, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?”

Consider a case in New Testament times when Paul preached at the Areopagus in Athens (Acts 17). He entered the city and was disturbed that it was full of idols. They even had an altar inscribed “To the Unknown God.” He points out that the true God was the creator of the world and had made everything in it (Acts 17:24). In contrast with idols, he said of Jehovah (Acts 17:24-25), “Nor is He worshiped with men’s hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things. And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings.” As Paul contrasts God with the idols of Athens, he answers the question of Acts 17:19, “Oh God, who is like You?”

Consider the first verse of the following song.

Saints Lift Your Voices

There is none like Him, none can compare;
No god his equal, no prince His heir!

Chorus

Lift up our eyes and see His great might!
Soar like an eagle, on wings of flight!
Saints, lift your voices tho’ dark your days!
Lift up your spirits, sing out His praise!
Upward the calling, brighter the light!
Soaring like eagles, on wings of flight!

[R. J. Stevens Music]

In Psalms 71:20, David says God had shown him “great and severe troubles.” He understood that God controls everything. He was facing “wicked,” “unrighteous,” and cruel people (Psalms 71:4). His “enemies” (Psalms 71:10) and “adversaries” (Psalms 71:13) were trying to take his life (Psalms 71:10). He was confident, however, that God would deliver him “again.” The psalmist did not doubt that God would deliver him as He had from past struggles. (Note also Psalms 88:6; 130:1.) He would overcome and prevail with God by his side.

In Psalms 71:20, he says God will “revive me again, and bring me up again from the depths of the earth.” Some think David is speaking here of his resurrection, as taught in the New Testament. This viewpoint could be correct, but he is probably speaking metaphorically. Psalm 71:21 lends credence to this second position.

Consider the following breakdown of Psalms 71:20-21.

1. The Situation — He is in “great and severe troubles” and “in the depths of the earth.
2. The Solution — He would be “revived” and brought “up again from the depths of the earth.”
3. The Outcome — He would see his greatness increase and be comforted on every side.

Praise and Worship of God (Psalms 71:22-24)

"Also with the lute I will praise You — and Your faithfulness, O my God! To You I will sing with the harp, O Holy One of Israel. My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing to You, and my soul, which You have redeemed. My tongue also shall talk of Your righteousness all the day long; for they are confounded, for they are brought to shame who seek my hurt."

The psalmist would praise God and His faithfulness with the lute and sing to Him with the harp, the “Holy One of Israel.” (Most translations say “harp” and “lyre,” which are two different types of stringed instruments.) In two other Psalms (Psalms 78:41; 89:18), God is addressed as the "Holy One of Israel.” (Interestingly, Isaiah addresses Him this way 25 times!) David earlier made it clear that no one can be compared to God — He is “the holy One of Israel.”

In Psalms 71:23, he says he would joyfully sing to Jehovah. However, he did not stop there; he says his joyful singing to Jehovah would come from his soul, which God had redeemed.  Thus, his praise was not merely outward.  Today, do we joyfully praise God by song, and does it come from our souls?

After praising God’s faithfulness (Psalms 71:22), David says in Psalms 71:24 that because his enemies were “confounded” and “brought to shame,” he would talk of God’s righteousness. He would undoubtedly proclaim God’s righteousness in every “direction.” He would speak to God about His righteousness in prayer (Psalms 71:19). He would also talk about God's righteousness to his fellow man, including followers of the Lord and those who were not; he would speak of it to his friends and enemies. It is also interesting that he talked about God’s righteousness “all the day long.” In his relationship with God, the psalmist always had continuity and persistence. (Note Psalms 71:3, 6, 8, 14, 15.)

In conclusion, the psalmist had served God his whole life, and now he is an old man.   Life was not always easy. He looked to the past, present, and future and knew that no matter what happened, he could continually count on God and live in praise of Him and His righteousness. As one writer explains, “David wants us to see that even old age is given to us by God, is one of his good gifts and should be used for his glory and the blessing and well-being of others" [Boice 595].

Consider the following quote.

"With confidence the psalmist voices his prayer to God for deliverance. He has contemplated the years that he has spent in God’s fellowship and care — he has “leaned on God” from childhood. The result has been the assurance that God’s faithfulness may be depended upon. And this realization has so stirred his emotions that he must praise God. The joy in his soul must be, and is, openly expressed. And this is the culmination of what began as a lament! Praise be to God!" [Tesch & Zorn 474].

Works Cited & Consulted

Boice, James Montgomery.  Psalms, vol. 2, Baker Books, Grand Rapids, MI, 1996.

Goldingay, John.  Psalms (42-89), Volume 2;  Baker Academic, Grand Rapids, MI, 2007.

Holman Bible Dictionary.  Holman Bible Publishers, 1991.

McClintock and Strong Encyclopedia, Biblesoft Electronic Database.  2000, 2003,     2005, 2006.

Spurgeon, Charles.  The Treasury of David, Biblesoft Electronic Database, 2014.

Tesh, S. Edward, and Walter D. Zorn. Psalms.  Vol. 1, College Press Publishing Company, 1999.

Williams, Donald M. The Communicator’s Commentary Series, Old Testament Psalms 1-72, vol. 13, Word Inc., Waco, Texas, 1986.