Psalm 71: complete, commentary


post-title

CommentTo understand Psalm 71 it must be said that the psalmist is experiencing a period of serious contrasts that have affected him because of his faith in God. Many place this period in the time before the capture of Jerusalem which was followed by the deportation to Babylon. This righteous man suffers in his homeland because of his compatriots who turned to God by yielding to the idolatry that devastated the temple. To strengthen his great trust in God, the person praying looks at his life and at the very important fact of having been educated to faith in God since his mother held him tight on his lap.


Psalm 71 complete

[1] I take refuge in you, Lord, that I may not be confused forever.

[2] Set me free, defend me for your righteousness, listen to me and save me.


[3] Be for me a cliff of defense, an inaccessible bulwark, for you are my refuge and my fortress.

[4] My God, save me from the hands of the wicked, from the hands of the unjust and the oppressor.

[5] It is you, Lord, my hope, my trust since my youth.


[6] I leaned on you from the womb, from my mother's womb you are my support; my endless praise to you.

[7] To many I seemed almost a prodigy: you were my safe haven.

[8] My mouth is full of your praise, of your glory, all day long.


[9] Do not turn me away in old age, do not abandon me when my strength declines.

[10] My enemies speak against me, those who spy on me conspire together:

Recommended readings
  • Psalm 76: complete, commentary
  • Psalm 62: complete, commentary
  • Psalm 102: complete, commentary
  • Psalm 6: complete, commentary
  • Psalm 20: complete, commentary

[11] "God has abandoned him, chase him, take him, because he has no one who sets him free."

[12] O God, do not stay away: my God, come quickly to help me.

[13] Those who accuse me are confused and annihilated, those who seek my misfortune are covered with infamy and shame.

[14] On the other hand, I never stop hoping, I will multiply your praises.

[15] My mouth will announce your righteousness, it will always proclaim your salvation, which I cannot measure.

[16] I will say the wonders of the Lord, I will remember that only you are righteous.

[17] You instructed me, O God, from my youth and still today I proclaim your wonders.


[18] And now, in old age and in Chania, God, do not abandon me, until I announce your power, your wonders to all generations.

[19] Your righteousness, God, is as high as heaven, you have done great things: who is like you, O God?

[20] You have made me feel many anguish and misfortunes: you will still give me life, you will bring me back from the depths of the earth,

[21] you will increase my greatness and go back to comfort me.

[22] Then I will give you thanks on the harp, for your faithfulness, my God; I will sing you on the cithara, O saint of Israel.

[23] By singing your praises, my lips and my life, which you have redeemed, will exult.


[24] Even my tongue will proclaim your righteousness all day long, when those who seek my ruin are confused and humiliated.

Psalm 71 • From Youth to Old Age — You are my God! (February 2024)


Tags: Biblical psalms
Top