Table of Contents
Background and Context
Psalm 71 is a deeply personal and moving prayer of an elderly person facing a crisis. Uniquely, this psalm has no title or superscription identifying its author or historical setting. However, the content and language strongly suggest it is a prayer of King David in his later years. The psalmist speaks of a lifelong relationship with God that began “from my mother’s womb” (verse 6), through his youth (verse 17), and now into his old age and gray hairs (verses 9, 18). He faces enemies who see his advanced age and failing strength as an opportunity to attack, believing God has finally forsaken him (verse 11). This scenario fits well with the turmoil at the end of David’s reign, such as the rebellion of Absalom or the attempted coup by Adonijah.
A notable feature of this psalm is that it is a beautiful mosaic of phrases and ideas drawn from other psalms (especially Psalms 22, 31, 35, and 40). This is not plagiarism, but the work of a person who has spent a lifetime meditating on God’s Word. In his moment of need, he prays Scripture back to God, weaving familiar promises into a new and deeply personal expression of faith.
Theological Themes
This psalm is a powerful testament to the nature of a lifelong walk with God, focusing on several key themes.
Lifelong Faithfulness: The central theme is the psalmist’s unwavering trust in God, which has been the constant anchor of his life from birth to old age. His prayer is not based on a single, desperate cry, but on a long history of experiencing God’s faithfulness. His past experience of God’s care is the foundation for his present confidence.
God as an Unfailing Refuge: Throughout the psalm, God is described as a rock, a fortress, and a refuge. As the psalmist’s physical strength wanes, his reliance on God’s spiritual strength deepens. He sees God as the only secure place to stand when confronted by enemies and the frailties of old age.
The Challenge of Aging: The psalm gives an honest and dignified voice to the vulnerabilities of growing older. The specific prayer, “Do not cast me away when I am old; do not forsake me when my strength is gone” (verse 9), is a poignant expression of a common human fear. The psalm models how to face this fear not with despair, but with a renewed trust in the God who has been faithful for a lifetime.
A Life of Testimony and Praise: The psalmist’s ultimate goal is not just his own survival, but the glory of God. He is determined to spend his remaining years as a living testimony. His deepest desire is to “declare your power to the next generation” (verse 18). His mouth is filled with God’s praise, and he vows to praise God “more and more” (verse 14), making his entire life a continuous song of thanksgiving.
Literary Structure and Genre
Psalm 71 is an individual lament psalm that is dominated by expressions of profound trust and confidence. Its structure flows like a heartfelt conversation with God, moving between petitions, affirmations of trust, and vows of praise.
- Part 1: Plea for Refuge, Based on Past Experience (verses 1-8): The psalmist cries out for deliverance, grounding his request in his lifelong history of depending on God.
- Part 2: Plea Against Abandonment in Old Age (verses 9-13): The specific prayer for God’s presence in his time of weakness, coupled with a prayer for the defeat of his enemies.
- Part 3: A Resolute Vow of Hope and Testimony (verses 14-24): A powerful turn to hope and a commitment to spend the rest of his life praising God and telling the next generation of His mighty deeds.
Verse by Verse Commentary on Psalm 71
Verses 1-8: A Lifetime of Trust
“In you, LORD, I have taken refuge… Deliver me and rescue me… be my rock of refuge, to which I can always go… For you have been my hope, Sovereign LORD, my confidence since my youth. From birth I have relied on you; you brought me forth from my mother’s womb. I will ever praise you.”
The psalm opens with words borrowed directly from Psalm 31, a prayer David likely knew well. He declares that his lifelong refuge has been in the Lord. His plea for rescue is based not on his own goodness, but on God’s righteousness (verse 2). He asks God to be his constant, accessible place of safety.
Verses 5-6 form the foundation of his entire prayer. He traces his relationship with God back to its very beginning. God was his hope since his youth and his support since the moment of his birth. This long history of dependence gives him the confidence to pray now. Because God has been so faithful in the past, he can declare, “I will ever praise you.” His life has been a spectacle or a wonder to many, but the reason is simple: God has been his strong refuge.
Verses 9-13: The Fear of Being Forsaken
“Do not cast me away when I am old; do not forsake me when my strength is gone. For my enemies speak against me; those who wait to kill me conspire together. They say, ‘God has forsaken him; pursue him and seize him, for there is no one to rescue him.'”
This is the emotional heart of the psalm. The psalmist voices the deep fear of the elderly: being cast aside, forgotten, and left helpless as physical strength fades. His enemies see his weakness as their opportunity. They misinterpret his age-related struggles as a sign that “God has forsaken him,” and they move in for the kill. Their taunt is a direct assault on his lifelong faith. In response, the psalmist prays for God to come quickly and to bring to shame the very enemies who are trying to shame him.
Verses 14-24: A Future Filled with Praise
“As for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more… Since my youth, God, you have taught me, and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds. Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation… Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again… My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to you—I, whom you have delivered.”
Verse 14 marks a decisive turn. In contrast to his enemies’ plots, the psalmist declares his own resolve: “As for me, I will always have hope.” His response to failing strength and increasing opposition is not to praise less, but to praise “more and more.“
His life’s mission becomes clear in verses 17-18. He has been a student of God since his youth, and now, in his old age, he wants to be a teacher. He prays for God to preserve his life for a specific purpose: to “declare your power to the next generation.” He wants to ensure that the story of God’s faithfulness is passed on.
He looks back at his life and acknowledges the “troubles, many and bitter,” but he looks forward with confidence that God “will restore my life again” and increase his honor. The psalm concludes with a joyful explosion of promised praise. He will take up his harp and lyre, and his lips and tongue will become instruments of joyful testimony, celebrating the righteous God who has delivered him and defeated his foes.
Practical Lessons for Today
Your History with God is a Powerful Anchor: In times of present crisis, look back at your own history with God. Remember the times He has been faithful. Your memories of His past goodness are a powerful source of strength for your present troubles.
It is Right to Pray Honestly About Aging: The Bible does not ignore the challenges of growing older. Psalm 71 gives us a model for how to pray honestly about our fears of weakness and abandonment, turning those fears into a prayer of dependence on God.
Never Stop Praising: The psalmist’s response to growing older and weaker was to decide to praise God “more and more.” No matter our age or physical condition, we can always grow in praise. Gratitude and worship are muscles that can be strengthened throughout our entire lives.
Make Your Life a Testimony for the Next Generation: One of the most important roles for an older believer is to pass on the faith. The psalmist’s desire to “declare your power to the next generation” is a beautiful mission. Your stories of God’s lifelong faithfulness are one of the most precious gifts you can give to your children, grandchildren, and the younger members of your faith community.
Cross References
Psalm 31:1-3: “In you, O LORD, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; deliver me in your righteousness. Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue; be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me.” Psalm 71 begins by quoting these verses, showing how the psalmist used familiar Scripture as the foundation for his own prayer.
Isaiah 46:4: “Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.” This is God’s beautiful promise that directly answers the fear expressed in Psalm 71:9. God’s care does not diminish with our strength; it continues faithfully through our entire lives.
2 Timothy 4:7-8, 18: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith… The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom.” The Apostle Paul, writing near the end of his life, expresses the same kind of forward-looking confidence as the psalmist, certain of God’s ultimate deliverance.
Proverbs 16:31: “Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained in the way of righteousness.” While the psalmist felt the vulnerability of old age, this proverb provides the biblical perspective: a long life lived in faithfulness to God is a thing of beauty and honor.