71:1ffThe writer was old and saw his tife as an “example,” a solemn sign or testimony to others of all God had done for him (71:7, 18). Remembering our lifetime of blessings will help us to see the consistency of God’s grace throughout the years, trust him for the future, and share with others the benefits of foilowing him.
Life Application Study BiblePsalmsChapter 71
Psalm 71
New Living Translation · Life Application Study Bible · Original pages: 917, 918
71Psalm 71
1don’t let me be disgraced.
2Save me and rescue me,for you do what is right.Turn your ear to listen to me,and set me free.
3Be my rock of safetywhere I can always hide.Give the order to save me,for you are my rock and my fortress.
4My God, rescue me from the power of the wicked,from the clutches of cruel oppressors.
5O LORD, you alone are my hope.I've trusted you, O LORD, from childhood.
6Yes, you have been with me from birth;from my mother’s womb you have cared for me.No wonder I am always praising you!
7My life is an example to many,because you have been my strength and protection.
8That is why I can never stop praising you;I declare your glory all day long.
9And now, in my old age, don’t set me aside.Don’t abandon me when my strength is failing.
10For my enemies are whispering against me.They are plotting together to kill me.
11They say, “God has abandoned him.Let's go and get him,for no one will help him now.”
12O God, don’t stay away.My God, please hurry to help me.
13Bring disgrace and destruction on my accusers.Humiliate and shame those who want to harm me.
14But I will keep on hoping for your help;I will praise you more and more.
15I will tell everyone about your righteousness.All day long I will proclaim your saving power,though I am not skilled with words.*
16J will praise your mighty deeds, O Sovereign LORD.I will tell everyone that you alone are just.
17Q God, you have taught me from my earliest childhood, and I constantly tell others about the wonderful things you do.
18Now 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.
19Your righteousness, O God, reaches to the highest heavens.You have done such wonderful things.Who can compare with you, O God?
20You have allowed me to suffer much hardship,but you will restore me to life againand lift me up from the depths of the earth.
21You will restore me to even greater honorand comfort me once again.
22Then 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.
23T will shout for joy and sing your praises,for you have ransomed me.
24T will tell about your righteous deedsall day long,for everyone who tried to hurt mehas been shamed and humiliated.Theme: The perfect king. In this psalm, a king asks God to help his son rule the nationjustly and wisely. It looks forward to the endless reign of the Messiah, who alone canrule with perfect justice and whose citizens will enjoy perfect peace.
Author: Solomon
T 2 A psalm of Solomon.1 Give your love of justice to the king, O God,
Textual footnotes
- 71:15 Or though I cannot count it.
Life Application Notes 2 notes
71:14As we face the sunset years, we recognize that God has been our constant help in the past. As physical powers wane, we need God even more, and we realize he is still our constant help. We must never despair, but keep on expecting his help no matter how severe our limitations. Hope in him helps us to keep going, to keep serving him.
Charts, profiles & sidebars from the printed pages
Study feature · page 918
72:8 Hebrew the river.
ae a 71:18 A person is never too old to serve God, never too old to 72:1, 2. What qualities do we want most in our leaders? God pray. Though age may stop us from certain physical activities, desires all who rule under him to be just and righteous. Think it need not stifle our desire or limit our opportunities to tell others how the world would change if world leaders would commit (especially children) about all we have seen God do in our many themselves to these two qualities. Pray for leaders as you hear years of life. about them in the news. Ask God to help them see their need for him; ask God to help them lead with justice and righteousness {see 1 Timothy 2:1, 2).