1 In you, O Lord, have I put my hope; let me never be shamed.
2 Keep me safe in your righteousness, and come to my help; give ear to my voice, and be my saviour.
3 Be my strong Rock, the strong place of my salvation; for you are my Rock, and my safe place.
4 O my God, take me out of the hand of the sinner, out of the hand of the evil and cruel man.
5 For you are my hope, O Lord God; I have had faith in you from the time when I was young.
6 You have been my support from the day of my birth; you took me out of my mother's body; my praise will be ever of you.
7 I am a wonder to all; but you are my strong tower.
8 My mouth will be full of your praise and glory all the day.
9 Do not give me up when I am old; be my help even when my strength is gone.
10 For my haters are waiting secretly for me; and those who are watching for my soul are banded together in their evil designs,
11 Saying, God has given him up; go after him and take him, for he has no helper.
12 O God, be not far from me; O my God, come quickly to my help.
13 Let those who say evil against my soul be overcome and put to shame; let my haters be made low and have no honour.
14 But I will go on ever hoping, and increasing in all your praise.
15 My mouth will make clear your righteousness and your salvation all the day; for they are more than may be measured.
16 I will give news of the great acts of the Lord God; my words will be of your righteousness, and of yours only.
17 O God, you have been my teacher from the time when I was young; and I have been talking of your works of wonder even till now.
18 Now when I am old and grey-headed, O God, give me not up; till I have made clear your strength to this generation, and your power to all those to come.
19 Your righteousness, O God, is very high; you have done great things; O God, who is like you?
20 You, who have sent great and bitter troubles on me, will give me life again, lifting me up from the deep waters of the underworld.
21 You will make me greater than before, and give me comfort on every side.
22 I will give praise to you with instruments of music, O my God, for you are true; I will make songs to you with music, O Holy One of Israel.
23 Joy will be on my lips when I make melody to you; and in my soul, to which you have given salvation.
24 My tongue will be talking of your righteousness all the day; for those whose purpose is to do me evil have been crushed and put to shame.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Psalms 71
Commentary on Psalms 71 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
PSALM 71
Ps 71:1-24. The Psalmist, probably in old age, appeals to God for help from his enemies, pleading his past favors, and stating his present need; and, in confidence of a hearing, he promises his grateful thanks and praise.
1-3. (Compare Ps 30:1-3).
3. given commandment—literally, "ordained," as in Ps 44:4; 68:28.
rock … fortress—(Ps 18:2).
4, 5. cruel man—corrupt and ill-natured—literally, "sour."
5. trust—place of trust.
6-9. His history from early infancy illustrated God's care, and his wonderful deliverances were at once occasions of praise and ground of confidence for the future.
my praise … of thee—literally, "in" or "by Thee" (Ps 22:25).
10, 11. The craft and malicious taunts of his enemies now led him to call for aid (compare the terms used, 2Sa 17:12; Ps 3:2; 7:2).
12. (Compare Ps 22:19; 40:4).
13. (Compare Ps 35:4; 40:14).
14-16. The ruin of his enemies, as illustrating God's faithfulness, is his deliverance, and a reason for future confidence.
15. for I know … thereof—innumerable, as he had not time to count them.
16. in the strength—or, relying on it.
thy righteousness—or, faithful performance of promises to the pious (Ps 7:17; 31:1).
17-21. Past experience again encourages.
taught me, &c.—by providential dealings.
19. is very high—distinguished (Ps 36:5; Isa 55:9).
20. depths of the earth—debased, low condition.
21. increase, &c.—that is, the great things done for me (Ps 71:19; compare Ps 40:5).
22-24. To the occasion of praise he now adds the promise to render it.
will … praise—literally, "will thank."
even thy truth—as to Thy truth or faithfulness.