USB ~ Psalms 71

Prayer in Time of Old Age

1 In you, LORD, I take refuge; a let me never be put to shame. b

2 In your justice rescue and deliver me; listen to me and save me!

3 Be my rock of refuge, my stronghold to give me safety; for you are my rock and fortress. c

4 My God, rescue me from the hand of the wicked, from the clutches of the evil and violent. d

5 You are my hope, Lord; my trust, GOD, from my youth.

6 On you I have depended since birth; from my mother’s womb you are my strength; e my hope in you never wavers.

7 †I have become a portent to many, but you are my strong refuge!

8 My mouth shall be filled with your praise, shall sing your glory every day.

9 Do not cast me aside in my old age; as my strength fails, do not forsake me.

10 For my enemies speak against me; they watch and plot against me. f

11 They say, “God has abandoned him. Pursue, and seize him! No one will come to the rescue!”

12 God, be not far from me; my God, hasten to help me. g

13 Bring to a shameful end those who attack me; Cover with contempt and scorn those who seek my ruin. h

14 I will always hope in you and add to all your praise.

15 My mouth shall proclaim your just deeds, day after day your acts of deliverance, though I cannot number them all. i

16 I will speak of the mighty works of the Lord; O GOD, I will tell of your singular justice.

III

17 God, you have taught me from my youth; to this day I proclaim your wondrous deeds.

18 Now that I am old and gray, j do not forsake me, God, That I may proclaim your might to all generations yet to come, k Your power

19 and justice, God, to the highest heaven. You have done great things; l O God, who is your equal? m

20 Whatever bitter afflictions you sent me, you would turn and revive me. From the watery depths of the earth once more raise me up.

21 Restore my honor; turn and comfort me,

22 That I may praise you with the lyre for your faithfulness, my God, And sing to you with the harp, O Holy One of Israel!

23 My lips will shout for joy as I sing your praise; my soul, too, which you have redeemed.

24 Yes, my tongue shall recount your justice day by day. For those who sought my ruin have been shamed and disgraced.

Footnotes

†. Psalm 71 A lament of an old person (Ps 71:9, 18) whose afflictions are interpreted by enemies as a divine judgment (Ps 71:11). The first part of the Psalm pleads for help (Ps 71:1-4) on the basis of a hope learned from a lifetime’s experience of God; the second part describes the menace (Ps 71:9-13) yet remains buoyant (Ps 71:14-16); the third develops the theme of hope and praise.

†. 71:7 A portent to many: the afflictions of the sufferer are taken as a manifestation of God’s anger, cf. Dt 28:46; Ps 31:12.

71:1-3 Ps 31:2-4.
71:1 Ps 25:2.
71:3 Ps 18:3.
71:4 Ps 140:2.
71:6 Ps 22:11.
71:10 Ps 3:2; 22:8.
71:12 Ps 22:20.
71:13 Ps 35:4; 40:15; 70:3.
71:15 Ps 35:28.
71:18 Is 46:3-4.
71:18 Ps 22:31-32; 48:14-15; 145:4.
71:19 Ps 72:18.
71:19 Ps 86:8.