Read Psalm 71

Titled: Forsake Me Not When My Strength Is Spent (ESV), God the Rock of Salvation (NKJV).

Here are titles given by Bible scholars: The Prayer Of An Old Man For Deliverance (Coffman). The Prayer Of The Aged Believer (Spurgeon). Older In Years, Strong In Faith (Guzik).

Although this psalm is not signed, scholars believe David probably wrote it. One commentator points out that twenty-three lines are taken from other Davidic Psalms and goes on to say that only that particular author would quote himself that often rather than write his own words. However, since God included this psalm in His book without a signature, that is all we will discuss it.

O LORD, I have come to you for protection; don't let me be disgraced. Save me and rescue me, for you do what is right. Turn your ear to listen to me and set me free. Be my rock of safety where I can always hide. Give the order to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress. My God, rescue me from the power of the wicked, from the clutches of cruel oppressors.
Psalm 71:1-4 NLT

The author of this psalm knows the faithfulness of God, and he calls upon those very promises during a trial of some kind. He opens this song calling upon YHWH, Jehovah, the covenant name of God, always written all capitals in English translations of the Bible. That name was where the author placed his faith and his hope for rescue. And in this name, the author was confident.

In what name are you confident?

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.
Psalm 71:5-8 NKJV

Verse five is so beautiful. Here are a couple of translations.

For thou art my hope, O Lord Jehovah: thou art my trust from my youth. ASV

For You are my hope; O Lord GOD, You are my confidence from my youth. NASB1995

For you have been my hope, Sovereign LORD, my confidence since my youth. NIV

As we get older, we have more opportunity to reflect on God’s faithfulness. The author could look back and see God’s hand upon his life from even before birth. And because of God’s faithfulness upon his life, he would choose to praise Him all day long and for the rest of his life.

And now, in my old age, don't set me aside. Don't abandon me when my strength is failing. For my enemies are whispering against me. They are plotting together to kill me. They say, "God has abandoned him. Let's go and get him, for no one will help him now." O God, don't stay away. My God, please hurry to help me. Bring disgrace and destruction on my accusers. Humiliate and shame those who want to harm me.
Psalm 71:9-13 NLT

God knows His children before they are born. He walks beside them throughout their lives and does not abandon them as their bodies grow old and begin to fail. It is a sad reality to read that life didn’t ease for this author. Trials and worries don’t go away as we age. But God’s faithfulness never wavers. May we be able to look back at all the times God was faithful in our lives and cry these same words, “Be faithful again Lord!”

I will be your God throughout your lifetime- until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you.
Isaiah 46:4 NLT

How beautiful! When we walk with God, He will never leave us. He made us and cares for us. “I will carry you along.” Here is the Bible paraphrase called the Message:

I've been carrying you on my back from the day you were born. And I'll keep on carrying you when you're old. I'll be there, bearing you when you're old and gray. I've done it and will keep on doing it, carrying you on my back, saving you.
Isaiah 46:3-5 Message

But the psalmist fears his enemies see his age and his white hair and think, “aha! He weakens, now is the time!”

"God has forsaken him; pursue and take him, for there is none to deliver him."
Psalm 71:11 NKJV  

O bitter taunt! There is no worse arrow than all the quivers of hell. Our Lord felt this barbed shaft, and it is no marvel if his disciples feel the same. Were this exclamation the truth, if it were indeed an ill day for us; but, glory be to God, it is a barefaced lie.

Charles Spurgeon, English preacher, 1834–1892

But I will keep on hoping for your help; I will praise you more and more. I will tell everyone about your righteousness. All day long I will proclaim your saving power, though I am not skilled with words. I will praise your mighty deeds, O Sovereign LORD. I will tell everyone that you alone are just.
Psalm 71:14-16 NLT

Even as he ages and even if the Lord does not appear, the author will continue to speak about the wonders of God. He pledges here to speak of God’s faithfulness and righteousness. He will speak about God’s saving power and His mighty deeds. Even if the trials continue, he will praise the Lord.

The author does not despair or give up. He comes to realize that growing older does not give a believer an excuse to stop praising. If anything, we should praise louder because we have seen more of God’s faithfulness. The tasks the Lord has given us may change as we get older, but He still gives them. We cannot stop sharing our faith to the next generation. We cannot stop standing up for what’s right, upon God’s Truths. We cannot stop loving others in the name of the Lord.

Maybe our strength fails, our memory lapses, but God’s doesn’t.

The holy faith of the persecuted saint comes to the front in these three verses. But I will hope continually. When I cannot rejoice in what I have, I will look forward to what shall be mine, and will still rejoice.

Charles Spurgeon, English preacher, 1834-1892

Oh God, you have taught me from my earliest childhood, and I constantly tell others about the wonderful things you do. 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.
Psalm 71:17-18 NLT

The author of this psalm has seen blessing from the Lord throughout his life, and he pledges to share them. And oh, has he. Nearly three millennia have passed and we are still learning from his words.

The Psalter is filled with encouragement, hope, and strength. A beloved part of the Old Testament, and still relevant in modern days.

Your righteousness, O God, reaches to the highest heavens. You have done such wonderful things. Who can compare with you, O God? 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. You will restore me to even greater honor and comfort me once again. 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. I will shout for joy and sing your praises, for you have ransomed me. I will tell about your righteous deeds all day long, for everyone who tried to hurt me has been shamed and humiliated. 
Psalm 71:19-24 NLT

The Psalmist, even claiming his old age, still expects God to do great things for him. “You will restore me- then I will praise you.” He will still sing and shout and play music on instruments for the Lord. He will still tell others about what God has done.

Can we say the same? As life wears and tears us down, can we still make this promise to the Lord?

Some Bible scholars comment on the name used for God in verse 22: “O Holy One of Israel.”

Unto thee will I sing with the harp, O thou Holy One of Israel. Here is a new name, and, as it were, a new song. The Holy One of Israel is at once a lofty and an endearing name, full of teaching. Let us resolve, by all means with our power, to honour him. Here is the final vow of praise.

Charles Spurgeon, English preacher, 1834-1892

The author closes in great faith that God will redeem him, that God will come to his rescue. And upon that rescue and even prior, the author will sing and play music; he will shout for joy, and he will speak of God’s goodness and faithfulness all day long.

May we all receive a boost of faith to do the same today.

Father in heaven, thank you for this beautiful psalm. Thank you for your word that teaches us, inspires us, and fills us with hope and peace. Strengthen us today to walk in faith and trust in your faithfulness. Thank you for your promises and for your love throughout time and today. Amen.

Heidi xoxo