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Psalms 71

BSB·24 verses ·Old Testament
✦ Tap any verse to open Scripture Explorer — original Hebrew/Greek, commentary, notes & highlights
1In You, O LORDיְהוָ֥הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →, I have taken refugeחָסִ֑יתִיḥā·sî·ṯî — To take refuge; to seek shelter or safetyH2620 — Full Word Study →; let me neverאַל־’al- — do not; negative imperative particleH408 — Full Word Study → be put to shameאֵב֥וֹשָׁה’ê·ḇō·wō·šāh — to be ashamed; to feel shame or disgraceH954 — Full Word Study →. 2In Your justiceבְּצִדְקָתְךָ֗bə·ṣiḏ·qā·ṯə·ḵā — Righteousness, justice, right conductH6666 — Full Word Study →, rescueתַּצִּילֵ֥נִיtaṣ·ṣî·lê·nî — to rescue, deliver, or snatch awayH5337 — Full Word Study → and deliver meוּֽתְפַלְּטֵ֑נִיū·ṯə·p̄al·lə·ṭê·nî — to escape, slip away, deliver safelyH6403 — Full Word Study →; inclineהַטֵּֽה־haṭ·ṭêh- — to stretch out, extend, incline, bendH5186 — Full Word Study → Your earאָ֝זְנְךָ֗’ā·zə·nə·ḵā — Ear; the organ of hearing and listeningH241 — Full Word Study → and save meוְהוֹשִׁיעֵֽנִי׃wə·hō·wō·šî·‘ê·nî — To deliver, rescue, or save from dangerH3467 — Full Word Study →. 3Beהֱיֵ֤הhĕ·yêh — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → my rockלְצ֥וּרlə·ṣūr — Rock; stone; strength; fortressH6697 — Full Word Study → of refugeמָע֡וֹןmā·‘ō·wn — den, dwelling place, habitationH4583 — Full Word Study →, where I can alwaysתָּמִ֗ידtā·mîḏ — continually, perpetually, alwaysH8548 — Full Word Study → goלָב֗וֹאlā·ḇō·w — to come, go, enter, arriveH935 — Full Word Study →. Give the commandצִוִּ֥יתָṣiw·wî·ṯā — to command, order, or appoint with authorityH6680 — Full Word Study → to save meלְהוֹשִׁיעֵ֑נִיlə·hō·wō·šî·‘ê·nî — To deliver, rescue, or save from dangerH3467 — Full Word Study →, forכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → Youאָֽתָּה׃’āt·tāh — You; second-person pronoun (singular or plural)H859 — Full Word Study → are my rockסַלְעִ֖יsal·‘î — Rock; cliff; stone fortressH5553 — Full Word Study → and my fortressוּמְצוּדָתִ֣יū·mə·ṣū·ḏā·ṯî — Net, snare, stronghold, fortressH4686 — Full Word Study →. 4Deliver meפַּ֭לְּטֵנִיpal·lə·ṭê·nî — to escape, slip away, deliver safelyH6403 — Full Word Study →, O my Godאֱ‍ֽלֹהַ֗י’ĕlō·hay — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study →, from the handמִיַּ֣דmî·yaḏ — hand; power, strength, controlH3027 — Full Word Study → of the wickedרָשָׁ֑עrā·šā‘ — wicked, guilty, morally corruptH7563 — Full Word Study →, from the graspמִכַּ֖ףmik·kap̄ — Palm of the hand; hollow of anything; power or controlH3709 — Full Word Study → of the unjustמְעַוֵּ֣לmə·‘aw·wêl — To act unjustly; deal perversely or wrongfullyH5765 — Full Word Study → and ruthlessוְחוֹמֵץ׃wə·ḥō·mēṣ — to ferment; to be sour or harshH2556 — Full Word Study →. 5Forכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → Youאַתָּ֥ה’at·tāh — You; second-person pronoun (singular or plural)H859 — Full Word Study → are my hopeתִקְוָתִ֑יṯiq·wā·ṯî — Hope; expectation; cord of attachmentH8615 — Full Word Study →, O Lordאֲדֹנָ֥י’ă·ḏō·nāy — Master, LordH136 — Full Word Study → GODיְ֝הוִ֗הYah·weh — The LORD, the covenant God of IsraelH3069 — Full Word Study →, my confidenceמִבְטַחִ֥יmiḇ·ṭa·ḥî — Trust, confidence, secure refugeH4009 — Full Word Study → from my youthמִנְּעוּרָֽי׃min·nə·‘ū·rāy — Youth, young people, the state of being youngH5271 — Full Word Study →. 6I have leanedנִסְמַ֬כְתִּיnis·maḵ·tî — to support, sustain, upholdH5564 — Full Word Study → on Youעָלֶ֤יךָ׀‘ā·le·ḵā — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → since birthמִבֶּ֗טֶןmib·be·ṭen — belly; womb; interior of the bodyH990 — Full Word Study →; Youאַתָּ֣ה’at·tāh — You; second-person pronoun (singular or plural)H859 — Full Word Study → pulled meגוֹזִ֑יḡō·w·zî — to cut off, divide, or portion outH1491 — Full Word Study → from my mother’sאִ֭מִּי’im·mî — mother; female parentH517 — Full Word Study → wombמִמְּעֵ֣יmim·mə·‘ê — belly, womb, inner selfH4578 — Full Word Study →. My praiseתְהִלָּתִ֣יṯə·hil·lā·ṯî — Praise, song of praise, object of praiseH8416 — Full Word Study → is alwaysתָמִֽיד׃ṯā·mîḏ — continually, perpetually, alwaysH8548 — Full Word Study → for You. 7I have becomeהָיִ֣יתִיhā·yî·ṯî — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → a portentכְּ֭מוֹפֵתkə·mō·w·p̄êṯ — A miraculous sign or wonder performed by GodH4159 — Full Word Study → to manyלְרַבִּ֑יםlə·rab·bîm — great, many, abundant, mightyH7227 — Full Word Study →, but Youוְ֝אַתָּ֗הwə·’at·tāh — You; second-person pronoun (singular or plural)H859 — Full Word Study → are my strongעֹֽז׃‘ōz — Strength, power, or mightH5797 — Full Word Study → refugeמַֽחֲסִי־ma·ḥă·sî- — Refuge, shelter, or place of safetyH4268 — Full Word Study →. 8My mouthפִ֭יp̄î — Mouth; lips; edge; openingH6310 — Full Word Study → is filledיִמָּ֣לֵאyim·mā·lê — to fill, fulfill, completeH4390 — Full Word Study → with Your praise and with Your splendor allכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → day longהַ֝יּ֗וֹםhay·yō·wm — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study →. 9Do notאַֽל־’al- — do not; negative imperative particleH408 — Full Word Study → discard meתַּ֭שְׁלִיכֵנִיtaš·lî·ḵê·nî — to throw, cast, or hurlH7993 — Full Word Study → in my old ageזִקְנָ֑הziq·nāh — Old age, advanced years of lifeH2209 — Full Word Study →; do notאַֽל־’al- — do not; negative imperative particleH408 — Full Word Study → forsake meתַּעַזְבֵֽנִי׃ta·‘az·ḇê·nî — to abandon, forsake, or leave behindH5800 — Full Word Study → when my strengthכֹּ֝חִ֗יkō·ḥî — Strength, power, might, or abilityH3581 — Full Word Study → failsכִּכְל֥וֹתkiḵ·lō·wṯ — to finish, complete, or bring to an endH3615 — Full Word Study →. 10Forכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → my enemiesאוֹיְבַ֣י’ō·wy·ḇay — Enemy; adversary; one who opposesH341 — Full Word Study → speakאָמְר֣וּ’ā·mə·rū — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study → against me, and those who lie in waitוְשֹׁמְרֵ֥יwə·šō·mə·rê — To guard, keep, observe, preserveH8104 — Full Word Study → for my lifeנַ֝פְשִׁ֗יnap̄·šî — soul, life, person, selfH5315 — Full Word Study → conspireנוֹעֲצ֥וּnō·w·‘ă·ṣū — to advise, counsel, or devise a planH3289 — Full Word Study →, 11sayingלֵ֭אמֹרlê·mōr — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →, “Godאֱלֹהִ֣ים’ĕ·lō·hîm — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study → has forsaken himעֲזָב֑וֹ‘ă·zā·ḇōw — to abandon, forsake, or leave behindH5800 — Full Word Study →; pursue himרִֽדְפ֥וּriḏ·p̄ū — to pursue, chase, or persecuteH7291 — Full Word Study → and seize himוְ֝תִפְשׂ֗וּהוּwə·ṯip̄·śū·hū — To seize, grasp, or take hold of firmlyH8610 — Full Word Study →, forכִּי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → there is noאֵ֥ין’ên — nothing, nonexistence, absenceH369 — Full Word Study → one to rescue himמַצִּֽיל׃maṣ·ṣîl — to rescue, deliver, or snatch awayH5337 — Full Word Study →.” 12Be notאַל־’al- — do not; negative imperative particleH408 — Full Word Study → farתִּרְחַ֣קtir·ḥaq — to be far, remove, distance oneselfH7368 — Full Word Study → from meמִמֶּ֑נִּיmim·men·nî — from, out of, by means ofH4480 — Full Word Study →, O Godאֱ֭לֹהִים’ĕ·lō·hîm — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study →. Hurryחִישָׁה׃ḥī·šå̄h — to hasten, hurry, make hasteH2439 — Full Word Study →, O my Godאֱ֝לֹהַ֗י’ĕ·lō·hay — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study →, to help meלְעֶזְרָ֥תִיlə·‘ez·rā·ṯî — help, assistance, aidH5833 — Full Word Study →. 13May the accusersשֹׂטְנֵ֪יśō·ṭə·nê — to oppose, resist, or act as an adversaryH7853 — Full Word Study → of my soulנַ֫פְשִׁ֥יnap̄·šî — soul, life, person, selfH5315 — Full Word Study → be ashamedיֵבֹ֣שׁוּyê·ḇō·šū — to be ashamed; to feel shame or disgraceH954 — Full Word Study → and consumed; may those who seekמְ֝בַקְשֵׁ֗יmə·ḇaq·šê — To seek, search for, or request earnestlyH1245 — Full Word Study → my harmרָעָתִֽי׃rā·‘ā·ṯî — evil, bad, harm, disasterH7451 — Full Word Study → be coveredיַֽעֲט֣וּya·‘ă·ṭū — to wrap, cover, or clotheH5844 — Full Word Study → with scornחֶ֭רְפָּהḥer·pāh — Reproach, shame, insultH2781 — Full Word Study → and disgraceוּכְלִמָּ֑הū·ḵə·lim·māh — Shame, dishonor, disgraceH3639 — Full Word Study →. 14But Iוַ֭אֲנִיwa·’ă·nî — I, me, myself (first person singular pronoun)H589 — Full Word Study → will alwaysתָּמִ֣ידtā·mîḏ — continually, perpetually, alwaysH8548 — Full Word Study → hopeאֲיַחֵ֑ל’ă·ya·ḥêl — To wait; to hope; to expect with patienceH3176 — Full Word Study → and will praiseתְּהִלָּתֶֽךָ׃tə·hil·lā·ṯe·ḵā — Praise, song of praise, object of praiseH8416 — Full Word Study → You moreוְ֝הוֹסַפְתִּ֗יwə·hō·w·sap̄·tî — to add, increase, or do againH3254 — Full Word Study → andעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → moreכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study →. 15My mouthפִּ֤י׀pî — Mouth; lips; edge; openingH6310 — Full Word Study → will declareיְסַפֵּ֬רyə·sap·pêr — To count, record, or declareH5608 — Full Word Study → Your righteousnessצִדְקָתֶ֗ךָṣiḏ·qā·ṯe·ḵā — Righteousness, justice, right conductH6666 — Full Word Study → and Your salvationתְּשׁוּעָתֶ֑ךָtə·šū·‘ā·ṯe·ḵā — Deliverance, salvation, victoryH8668 — Full Word Study → all day longכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study →, thoughכִּ֤יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → I cannotלֹ֖אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → knowיָדַ֣עְתִּיyā·ḏa‘·tî — to know, understand, perceiveH3045 — Full Word Study → their full measureסְפֹרֽוֹת׃sə·p̄ō·rō·wṯ — Number, count, enumerationH5615 — Full Word Study →. 16I will enter in the strengthבִּ֭גְבֻרוֹתbiḡ·ḇu·rō·wṯ — Mighty power, strength, or valorH1369 — Full Word Study → of the Lordאֲדֹנָ֣י’ă·ḏō·nāy — Master, LordH136 — Full Word Study → GODיְהוִ֑הYah·weh — The LORD, the covenant God of IsraelH3069 — Full Word Study →; I will proclaimאַזְכִּ֖יר’az·kîr — to remember, recall, or mentionH2142 — Full Word Study → Your righteousnessצִדְקָתְךָ֣ṣiḏ·qā·ṯə·ḵā — Righteousness, justice, right conductH6666 — Full Word Study →Yours aloneלְבַדֶּֽךָ׃lə·ḇad·de·ḵā — alone, apart, or bar/poleH905 — Full Word Study →. 17O Godאֱ‍ֽלֹהִ֗ים’ĕlō·hîm — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study →, You have taught meלִמַּדְתַּ֥נִיlim·maḏ·ta·nî — To learn; to teach; to become accustomedH3925 — Full Word Study → from my youthמִנְּעוּרָ֑יmin·nə·‘ū·rāy — Youth, young people, the state of being youngH5271 — Full Word Study →, and to this dayוְעַד־wə·‘aḏ- — until, till, up to (temporal or spatial limit)H5704 — Full Word Study → I proclaimאַגִּ֥יד’ag·gîḏ — to tell, declare, make knownH5046 — Full Word Study → Your marvelous deedsנִפְלְאוֹתֶֽיךָ׃nip̄·lə·’ō·w·ṯe·ḵā — to be wonderful, perform miracles, do marvelous thingsH6381 — Full Word Study →. 18Evenוְגַ֤םwə·ḡam — also, even, moreover, both...andH1571 — Full Word Study → whenעַד־‘aḏ- — until, till, up to (temporal or spatial limit)H5704 — Full Word Study → I am oldזִקְנָ֨ה׀ziq·nāh — Old age, advanced years of lifeH2209 — Full Word Study → and grayוְשֵׂיבָה֮wə·śê·ḇāh — Gray hair; old age; hoariness of headH7872 — Full Word Study →, do notאַֽל־’al- — do not; negative imperative particleH408 — Full Word Study → forsake meתַּעַ֫זְבֵ֥נִיta·‘az·ḇê·nî — to abandon, forsake, or leave behindH5800 — Full Word Study →, O Godאֱלֹהִ֪ים’ĕ·lō·hîm — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study →, untilעַד־‘aḏ- — until, till, up to (temporal or spatial limit)H5704 — Full Word Study → I proclaimאַגִּ֣יד’ag·gîḏ — to tell, declare, make knownH5046 — Full Word Study → Your powerזְרוֹעֲךָ֣zə·rō·w·‘ă·ḵā — arm; power, strength, mightH2220 — Full Word Study → to the next generationלְד֑וֹרlə·ḏō·wr — generation; age; lifetime; posterityH1755 — Full Word Study →, Your mightגְּבוּרָתֶֽךָ׃gə·ḇū·rā·ṯe·ḵā — Mighty power, strength, or valorH1369 — Full Word Study → to allלְכָל־lə·ḵāl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → who are to comeיָ֝ב֗וֹאyā·ḇō·w — to come, go, enter, arriveH935 — Full Word Study →. 19Your righteousnessוְצִדְקָתְךָ֥wə·ṣiḏ·qā·ṯə·ḵā — Righteousness, justice, right conductH6666 — Full Word Study → reaches to the heavensמָ֫ר֥וֹםmā·rō·wm — Height, high place, or exaltationH4791 — Full Word Study →, O Godאֱלֹהִ֗ים’ĕ·lō·hîm — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study →, You whoאֲשֶׁר־’ă·šer- — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → have doneעָשִׂ֥יתָ‘ā·śî·ṯā — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study → great thingsגְדֹל֑וֹתḡə·ḏō·lō·wṯ — Great, mighty, large in size or significanceH1419 — Full Word Study →. Whoמִ֣יmî — who? what person?H4310 — Full Word Study →, O Godאֱ֝לֹהִ֗ים’ĕ·lō·hîm — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study →, is like Youכָמֽוֹךָ׃ḵā·mō·w·ḵā — Like; according to; asH3644 — Full Word Study →? 20Thoughאֲשֶׁ֤ר’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → You have shown meהִרְאִיתַנוּhir·ʾī·ṯa·nū — to see, perceive, behold, experienceH7200 — Full Word Study → manyרַבּ֗וֹתrab·bō·wṯ — great, many, abundant, mightyH7227 — Full Word Study → troublesצָר֥וֹתṣā·rō·wṯ — Distress, trouble, adversityH6869 — Full Word Study → and misfortunesוְרָ֫ע֥וֹתwə·rā·‘ō·wṯ — evil, bad, harm, disasterH7451 — Full Word Study →, You will revive meתְּחַיֵּינוּtə·ḥay·yē·nū — To live, to preserve alive, to give lifeH2421 — Full Word Study → once againתָּשׁ֥וּבtā·šūḇ — to turn back, return, restoreH7725 — Full Word Study →. Even from the depthsוּֽמִתְּהֹמ֥וֹתū·mit·tə·hō·mō·wṯ — the deep, abyss, primordial watersH8415 — Full Word Study → of the earthהָ֝אָ֗רֶץhā·’ā·reṣ — Land, earth, or countryH776 — Full Word Study → You will bring meתַּעֲלֵֽנִי׃ta·‘ă·lê·nî — to ascend, rise up, go upH5927 — Full Word Study → back upתָּשׁ֥וּבtā·šūḇ — to turn back, return, restoreH7725 — Full Word Study →. 21You will increaseתֶּ֤רֶב׀te·reḇ — To increase, multiply, grow abundantH7235 — Full Word Study → my honorגְּֽדֻלָּתִ֗יgə·ḏul·lā·ṯî — Greatness, majesty, dignityH1420 — Full Word Study → and comfort meתְּֽנַחֲמֵֽנִי׃tə·na·ḥă·mê·nî — to comfort, console, or show compassion; to repent or change one's mindH5162 — Full Word Study → once againוְתִסֹּ֥בwə·ṯis·sōḇ — to turn, surround, go aroundH5437 — Full Word Study →. 22Soגַּם־gam- — also, even, moreover, both...andH1571 — Full Word Study → Iאֲנִ֤י׀’ă·nî — I, me, myself (first person singular pronoun)H589 — Full Word Study → will praise Youאוֹדְךָ֣’ō·wḏ·ḵā — To give thanks, praise, or acknowledgeH3034 — Full Word Study → with the harpבִכְלִי־ḇiḵ·lî- — vessel, instrument, or article of useH3627 — Full Word Study → for Your faithfulnessאֲמִתְּךָ֪’ă·mit·tə·ḵā — Truth; faithfulness; reliability; what is established and sureH571 — Full Word Study →, O my Godאֱלֹ֫הָ֥י’ĕ·lō·hāy — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study →; I will sing praiseאֲזַמְּרָ֣ה’ă·zam·mə·rāh — To sing praises, make music to GodH2167 — Full Word Study → to You with the lyreבְכִנּ֑וֹרḇə·ḵin·nō·wr — stringed musical instrument; lyreH3658 — Full Word Study →, O Holy Oneקְ֝ד֗וֹשׁqə·ḏō·wōš — Set apart, consecrated, sacredH6918 — Full Word Study → of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃yiś·rā·’êl — God prevailsH3478 — Full Word Study →. 23Whenכִּ֣יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → I sing praiseאֲזַמְּרָה־’ă·zam·mə·rāh- — To sing praises, make music to GodH2167 — Full Word Study → to You my lipsשְׂ֭פָתַיśə·p̲ā·t̲ai — Lips; edge, border, or shoreH8193 — Full Word Study → will shout for joyתְּרַנֵּ֣נָּ֣הtə·ran·nên·nāh — To shout or sing aloud with joy; to cry out triumphantlyH7442 — Full Word Study →, along with my soulוְ֝נַפְשִׁ֗יwə·nap̄·šî — soul, life, person, selfH5315 — Full Word Study →, whichאֲשֶׁ֣ר’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → You have redeemedפָּדִֽיתָ׃pā·ḏî·ṯā — to redeem, ransom, or buy backH6299 — Full Word Study →. 24My tongueלְשׁוֹנִ֗יlə·šō·w·nî — Tongue; language; speechH3956 — Full Word Study → will indeed proclaimתֶּהְגֶּ֣הteh·geh — to mutter, meditate, speak quietlyH1897 — Full Word Study → Your righteousnessצִדְקָתֶ֑ךָṣiḏ·qā·ṯe·ḵā — Righteousness, justice, right conductH6666 — Full Word Study → all day longכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study →, forכִּי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → those who seekמְבַקְשֵׁ֥יmə·ḇaq·šê — To seek, search for, or request earnestlyH1245 — Full Word Study → my harmרָעָתִֽי׃rā·‘ā·ṯî — evil, bad, harm, disasterH7451 — Full Word Study → are disgracedבֹ֥שׁוּḇō·šū — to be ashamed; to feel shame or disgraceH954 — Full Word Study → andכִֽי־ḵî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → confoundedחָ֝פְר֗וּḥā·p̄ə·rū — to be ashamed, brought to shameH2659 — Full Word Study →.
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Chapter Overview

Chapter Overview

Psalm 71 is a deeply personal prayer of trust and dependence, written by someone facing opposition and the vulnerabilities of aging. The psalmist appeals to God's righteousness, faithfulness, and power for deliverance from enemies who seek to harm him. Rather than dwelling on despair, he resolves to praise God continually and to testify to God's mighty works throughout his remaining years. This is a psalm that weaves together urgent petition, confident trust, and joyful worship—a pattern we all need when life becomes difficult.

Verses 1–5: A Foundation of Trust

The psalm opens with an emphatic declaration: "In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust." The psalmist requests not merely deliverance, but that God would never let him be "put to confusion"—a prayer that our faith would not be publicly shaken or our confidence in God publicly vindicated as foolish. He appeals to God's righteousness (verse 2), asking God to act according to His just character and save him from enemies. Verses 3–5 establish God's nature as a rock, fortress, and strong habitation—metaphors emphasizing God's unchanging protection and reliability. The psalmist reminds himself that he has trusted God from his youth (verse 5), suggesting a lifetime of God's faithful care. This section teaches us that trust is not naive wishfulness; it is grounded in God's proven character and our personal history with Him.

Verses 6–9: Gratitude for Lifelong Care

Here the psalmist reflects on God's protection from birth: "By thee have I been holden up from the womb" (verse 6). This testimony acknowledges that God's care is not new; it extends to our very origins. He commits to continual praise (verse 6) because God has been his refuge when others viewed him as a "wonder" or spectacle, likely meaning his circumstances made him an object of curiosity or mockery (verse 7). Verse 8 expresses a beautiful resolve: his mouth shall be filled with God's praise all day long. Yet verse 9 reveals the real struggle—the fear of abandonment in old age. This honest plea shows that trust and fear can coexist; the psalmist's confidence in God is tested by genuine anxiety about the future.

Verses 10–16: Facing Opposition with Prayer

The enemies are not merely distant threats; they actively speak against him and plot his demise, falsely claiming "God hath forsaken him" (verse 11). This is spiritual warfare—the enemy's strategy is to isolate the believer from faith by sowing doubt. The psalmist responds with urgent prayer (verse 12) and an imprecatory petition that his adversaries be confounded and consumed (verses 13–14). Yet observe verse 14's turning point: "But I will hope continually, and will yet praise thee more and more." Despite the trial, he determines to increase in praise. Verses 15–16 show his commitment to declare God's righteousness and to move in the strength of the Lord God rather than his own failing strength.

Verses 17–24: A Legacy of Witness

The psalmist has been taught by God from youth and has declared His wondrous works (verse 17). His prayer in verses 18 is poignant: he asks not to be forsaken until he has shown God's strength and power to future generations. He celebrates God's very high righteousness and unfathomable greatness (verse 19), trusts that God will quicken him and bring him up from the depths (verse 20), and resolves to praise God with musical instruments (verses 22–24). His final note is one of vindication: his enemies will be brought to shame, but his soul, which thou hast redeemed, shall greatly rejoice.

Application for Today

Psalm 71 invites us to bring our real fears and genuine opposition before God while simultaneously renewing our commitment to praise Him. Whether you face enemies, aging, weakness, or doubt, remember that trusting God is not denying difficulty—it is choosing to declare His faithfulness while the trial persists. Let this psalm teach you to build your testimony on a lifetime of God's care, and to live in such a way that your children and grandchildren see your unshakeable confidence in Him.

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