Psalm 71 is a powerful declaration of trust and perseverance in the face of life’s adversities. Written by someone who has already faced many challenges and now, in old age, still proclaims faith, this psalm is an inexhaustible source of inspiration. Below, we explore its context, message, and practical applications.
Psalm 71 Full Text
¹ In You, LORD, I put my trust; let me never be put to shame.
² Deliver me in Your righteousness and cause me to escape; incline Your ear to me and save me.
³ Be to me a strong dwelling to which I may continually resort. You have given the command to save me, for You are my rock and my fortress.
⁴ My God, rescue me from the hand of the wicked, from the grasp of the unjust and cruel man.
⁵ For You are my hope, Lord GOD; You have been my confidence since my youth.
⁶ I have relied on You since birth; You brought me forth from my mother’s womb. My praise is continually of You.
⁷ I have become a marvel to many, but You are my strong refuge.
⁸ Let my mouth be filled with Your praise and with Your glory all day long.
⁹ Do not cast me off in the time of old age; do not forsake me when my strength fails.
¹⁰ For my enemies speak against me, and those who watch for my life conspire together,
¹¹ saying, “God has forsaken him; pursue and seize him, for there is no one to rescue.”
¹² O God, do not be far from me; my God, hurry to help me.
¹³ May those who are hostile to my life be put to shame and consumed; may those who seek my harm be covered with reproach and confusion.
¹⁴ But as for me, I will always hope and will praise You yet more and more.
¹⁵ My mouth will tell of Your righteousness and of Your salvation all day long, though I cannot fathom their number.
¹⁶ I will come in the strength of the Lord GOD; I will make mention of Your righteousness—of Yours alone.
¹⁷ O God, You have taught me from my youth, and to this day I declare Your wondrous deeds.
¹⁸ Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, until I proclaim Your strength to this generation, Your power to all who are to come.
¹⁹ Your righteousness, O God, reaches to the heights; You have done great things. O God, who is like You?
²⁰ Though You have made me see many troubles and calamities, You will revive me again; You will bring me up again from the depths of the earth.
²¹ You will increase my honor and comfort me once more.
²² I will also praise You with the lyre for Your faithfulness, my God; I will sing to You with the harp, Holy One of Israel.
²³ My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to You—and my soul, which You have redeemed.
²⁴ My tongue will proclaim Your righteousness all day long, for those who sought my harm have been put to shame and disgraced.
Psalm 71 Full Text and Explained
Psalm 71:1
“In You, LORD, I put my trust; let me never be put to shame.”
The psalmist begins by declaring total trust in God. He asks for spiritual and emotional security, pleading not to be shamed or disappointed.
Psalm 71:2
“Deliver me in Your righteousness and cause me to escape; incline Your ear to me and save me.”
Here, he seeks deliverance based on divine righteousness, not personal merit. The appeal for God to listen shows intimacy and urgency.
Psalm 71:3
“Be to me a strong dwelling to which I may continually resort. You have given the command to save me, for You are my rock and my fortress.”
The psalmist recognizes God as a secure, constant refuge—steadfast as a rock.
Psalm 71:4
“My God, rescue me from the hand of the wicked, from the grasp of the unjust and cruel man.”
He cries for protection from evil people, indicating real and unjust threats.
Psalm 71:5
“For You are my hope, Lord GOD; You have been my confidence since my youth.”
This line shows long-standing faith. Since youth, the psalmist has trusted God, reinforcing his present plea.
Psalm 71:6
“I have relied on You since birth; You brought me forth from my mother’s womb. My praise is continually of You.”
He acknowledges God’s sustaining care from the very beginning, which inspires continuous praise.
Psalm 71:7
“I have become a marvel to many, but You are my strong refuge.”
Though others are amazed, the psalmist does not boast; he relies on God as his secure refuge.
Psalm 71:8
“Let my mouth be filled with Your praise and with Your glory all day long.”
He longs to live a life marked by continuous praise, extolling God’s glory.
Psalm 71:9
“Do not cast me off in the time of old age; do not forsake me when my strength fails.”
An emotional request that reveals the fear of abandonment in old age. The psalmist seeks support even when physical strength fades.
Psalm 71:10
“For my enemies speak against me, and those who watch for my life conspire together,”
He reports being watched and conspired against.
Psalm 71:11
“saying, ‘God has forsaken him; pursue and seize him, for there is no one to rescue.’ ”
His adversaries claim God abandoned him—an attack on his faith and dignity.
Psalm 71:12
“O God, do not be far from me; my God, hurry to help me.”
An urgent cry. The psalmist begs God not to delay, showing total dependence.
Psalm 71:13
“May those who are hostile to my life be put to shame and consumed; may those who seek my harm be covered with reproach and confusion.”
He asks for divine justice: that the shame intended for him fall on his enemies.
Psalm 71:14
“But as for me, I will always hope and will praise You yet more and more.”
Despite persecution he chooses hope and praise—faith unshaken by circumstance.
Psalm 71:15
“My mouth will tell of Your righteousness and of Your salvation all day long, though I cannot fathom their number.”
God’s righteous acts are too many to count—evidence of divine greatness.
Psalm 71:16
“I will come in the strength of the Lord GOD; I will make mention of Your righteousness—of Yours alone.”
He is ready to act, but only in God’s strength; all glory goes to the Lord.
Psalm 71:17
“O God, You have taught me from my youth, and to this day I declare Your wondrous deeds.”
From youth he has learned and proclaimed God’s truth—a testimony of faithfulness.
Psalm 71:18
“Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, until I proclaim Your strength to this generation, Your power to all who are to come.”
Even in old age he wants to fulfill his mission: teaching future generations about God’s power.
Psalm 71:19
“Your righteousness, O God, reaches to the heights; You have done great things. O God, who is like You?”
A poetic recognition of God’s incomparable greatness.
Psalm 71:20
“Though You have made me see many troubles and calamities, You will revive me again; You will bring me up again from the depths of the earth.”
Even after suffering, he believes God can restore and lift him from deep distress.
Psalm 71:21
“You will increase my honor and comfort me once more.”
He hopes for days of renewed dignity and divine comfort.
Psalm 71:22
“I will also praise You with the lyre for Your faithfulness, my God; I will sing to You with the harp, Holy One of Israel.”
A promise of musical praise, acknowledging God’s holiness.
Psalm 71:23
“My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to You—and my soul, which You have redeemed.”
Praise rises not just from the lips but from a soul redeemed and grateful.
Psalm 71:24
“My tongue will proclaim Your righteousness all day long, for those who sought my harm have been put to shame and disgraced.”
He ends reaffirming that he will keep declaring God’s justice, while his adversaries end in shame.
The Context of Psalm 71
Psalm 71 does not explicitly name its author, but many scholars attribute it to David. It expresses the words of someone who has sought refuge in God since youth and, now in advanced age, still cries out for protection and strength.
A Song of Experience and Faith
This psalm is notable for being a prayer of someone seasoned in life, who recognizes God’s faithfulness over the years. It is a continuous plea, reinforced by memories of past divine help.
Poetic and Progressive Structure
The text shows an emotional progression. It starts with a plea for deliverance, moves to reflections on the past, and ends in praise. The language is both intimate and reverent.
Central Themes of Psalm 71
Psalm 71 is a spiritual treasure that reveals several essential themes for a life of faith.
Enduring Trust
From the beginning, the psalmist declares that his trust is in God. He asks not to be put to shame, displaying total dependence on the Lord.
Pursuit of Justice and Protection
Divine justice is sought intensely. The psalmist cries for deliverance from the wicked, the cruel, and the unjust.
Gratitude for Past Faithfulness
Psalm 71 recalls how God has been support since birth. This memory strengthens present faith and renews hope.
Request for Strength in Old Age
One of the most touching passages is the plea that God not abandon him in old age. He wants to keep proclaiming God’s wonders to future generations.
Continuous Praise
Despite struggles, the psalm ends in joy and praise—the victory of a mature, resilient faith.
Notable Verses of Psalm 71
Psalm 71:1
“In You, LORD, I take refuge; let me never be humiliated.”
The opening sets the tone: a plea for refuge and honor in God’s presence.
Psalm 71:5
“For You are my hope, Lord GOD; my trust since my youth is in You.”
This statement underscores the psalmist’s long-standing, intimate relationship with God.
Psalm 71:9
“Do not cast me off in my old age; when my strength fails, do not abandon me.”
A deeply human, moving request that expresses vulnerability mingled with faith.
Psalm 71:15
“My mouth will continually proclaim Your righteousness and Your countless acts of salvation, all day long.”
Praise becomes a life-long mission.
Spiritual Applications of Psalm 71
Psalm 71 is not merely the prayer of an elderly person; it is a model for keeping faith through every season of life.
Unshakeable Faith
The psalmist’s constancy exemplifies faith that does not depend on circumstances.
Aging with Purpose
Even in old age, the psalmist understands that his witness is not finished—an inspiration to value every stage of life.
Legacy of Praise
His desire to proclaim God’s justice to new generations highlights the importance of transmitting eternal values.
Lessons Psalm 71 Teaches Us
Psalm 71 offers many lessons that can transform how we view time, trials, and spiritual journey.
Value Your History with God
Recalling times we were helped strengthens faith for present challenges.
Do Not Be Afraid to Cry Out
The psalmist cries out freely and faithfully, showing it is legitimate and necessary to pour out the heart before God.
Keep Praise Alive
Even amid struggles, maintaining praise is one of the most powerful ways to resist and advance.
How Psalm 71 Inspires Generations
The accumulated wisdom in Psalm 71 is timeless. It speaks to the young, the adult, and the elderly with the same intensity.
An Intergenerational Message
The psalmist is concerned with passing his faith to future generations—a powerful heritage.
Time Does Not Diminish Faith’s Value
On the contrary, time strengthens experience and understanding of divine promises.
Curiosities about Psalm 71
- Psalm 71 is one of the few psalms without a superscription naming its author.
- Many scholars note similarities with Psalm 31, suggesting it may be an expansion of that text.
- In Jewish and Christian liturgy it is often read in services celebrating longevity and gratitude.
A Psalm of Old Age: Faith That Endures over Time
Psalm 71 stands out for bringing to light a theme rarely explored in other psalms: aging with dignity and faith. It is a mature prayer by someone who has walked long roads, fought battles, survived failures—and still trusts God.
Verse 9 declares:
“Do not cast me off in the time of old age; do not forsake me when my strength fails.”
This line is deeply moving because it expresses a plea that goes beyond physical protection. It is a cry for presence, for divine companionship, for not being forgotten or left behind when vitality wanes.
Faith That Outlasts Time
The psalmist shows no doubt—only need. After years of experience with God, what he wants is not immediate deliverance but continuity of relationship. Even with a weakened body, he wants his life to retain value, purpose, and voice.
An Invitation to Respect
Psalm 71 teaches us to honor the elderly, listen to their wisdom, recognize their pain, and—above all—learn from their faith. The prayer shows that old age is not an end but a chapter where faith deepens.
Nature and Maturity
Like an ancient tree with strong roots, a firm trunk, and marks of time, the psalmist appears as someone who has passed through life’s seasons. He does not ask for youth again but for strength to keep praising, teaching, and leaving a spiritual legacy.
A Message for Every Age
Although it is a prayer of old age, Psalm 71 speaks to all: young, adult, and elderly. It reminds us that faith must be cultivated like a garden—watered with prayer, lit by hope, and strengthened over time.
Daily Meditations with Psalm 71
Incorporating Psalm 71 into daily life can bring greater awareness of God’s presence and emotional strength.
Morning
Read the opening verses and commit your day to the Lord with trust.
Afternoon
Remember God’s care throughout your life journey.
Night
End the day with praise, like the psalmist, thanking God for provision and renewing your hope.
How to Share the Messages of Psalm 71
- Use verses from Psalm 71 in birthday cards, especially for older friends and relatives.
- Share inspiring excerpts on social media that speak of hope and faithfulness.
- In Bible-study groups, the psalm can serve as a basis for reflecting on aging and spiritual legacy.
FAQ about Psalm 71
What is the main theme of Psalm 71?
Continuous trust in God throughout life—especially in old age—and faithful praise and witness to the very end.
For which occasions is Psalm 71 recommended?
It is suited for times of reflection, difficult seasons, prayers for strength, and gratitude for a life sustained by God.
What does Psalm 71 talk about?
It addresses themes such as trust, justice, divine protection, spiritual legacy, and hope even in hard times.
Why is Psalm 71 so special?
Because it combines emotional depth with spiritual maturity, offering comfort and motivation for every age.
READ ALSO:
- Psalm 48: The Greatness of God Revealed in Zion
- Psalm 49: An Invitation to Reflect on True Wealth
- Psalm 47: Exaltation to the Supreme God Who Reigns over the Whole Earth
- Psalm 45: A Royal Song of Love and Glory
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