Psalms Chapter 71

Old Testament Poetry/Hymns 24 Verses

What is Psalms 71 about?

One hundred fifty inspired poems and hymns — Israel's prayer book, spanning lament and praise, confession and trust. The complete chapter text below provides the immediate literary context for study.

Text — American Standard Version (1901)

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. For original Hebrew/Greek interlinear text, open in BibleWord.ai.
1In thee, O Jehovah, do I take refuge: Let me never be put to shame.
2Deliver me in thy righteousness, and rescue me: Bow down thine ear unto me, and save me.
3Be thou to me a rock of habitation, whereunto I may continually resort: Thou hast given commandment to save me; For thou art my rock and my fortress.
4Rescue me, O my God, out of the hand of the wicked, Out of the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man.
5For thou art my hope, O Lord Jehovah: [Thou art] my trust from my youth.
6By thee have I been holden up from the womb; Thou art he that took me out of my mother`s bowels: My praise shall be continually of thee.
7I am as a wonder unto many; But thou art my strong refuge.
8My mouth shall be filled with thy praise, And with thy honor all the day.
9Cast me not off in the time of old age; Forsake me not when my strength faileth.
10For mine enemies speak concerning me; And they that watch for my soul take counsel together,
11Saying, God hath forsaken him: Pursue and take him; for there is none to deliver.
12O God, be not far from me; O my God, make haste to help me.
13Let them be put to shame [and] consumed that are adversaries to my soul; Let them be covered with reproach and dishonor that seek my hurt.
14But I will hope continually, And will praise thee yet more and more.
15My mouth shall tell of thy righteousness, [And] of thy salvation all the day; For I know not the numbers [thereof].
16I will come with the mighty acts of the Lord Jehovah: I will make mention of thy righteousness, even of thine only.
17O God, thou hast taught me from my youth; And hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works.
18Yea, even when I am old and grayheaded, O God, forsake me not, Until I have declared thy strength unto [the next] generation, Thy might to every one that is to come.
19Thy righteousness also, O God, is very high; Thou who hast done great things, O God, who is like unto thee?
20Thou, who hast showed us many and sore troubles, Wilt quicken us again, And wilt bring us up again from the depths of the earth.
21Increase thou my greatness, And turn again and comfort me.
22I will also praise thee with the psaltery, [Even] thy truth, O my God: Unto thee will I sing praises with the harp, O thou Holy One of Israel.
23My lips shall shout for joy when I sing praises unto thee; And my soul, which thou hast redeemed.
24My tongue also shall talk of thy righteousness all the day long; For they are put to shame, for they are confounded, that seek my hurt. Psalm 72 [A Psalm] of Solomon.

What do historical commentaries say about this chapter?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · on verse 1
“In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust, etc.] The Targum is, “in thy Word;” (see Gill on “<193101>Psalm 31:1”); let me never be put to confusion; or “be ashamed”; see the note as before.”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“For, or literally, "of Solomon." The closing verse rather relates to the second book of Psalms, of which this is the last, and was perhaps added by some collector, to intimate that the collection, to which, as chief author, David's name was appended, was closed. In this view, these may consistently be the productions of others included, as of Asaph, sons of Korah, and Solomon; and a few of David's may be placed in the latter series. The fact that here the usual mode of denoting authorship is used, is strongly conclusive that Solomon was the author, especially as no stronger objection appears than what has been…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust - See the notes at Psalms 25:2. Compare Psalms 22:4-5; Psalms 31:1. Let me never be put to confusion - Let me never be ashamed; that is, Let me not be so disappointed in the trust that I repose in thee as to have occasion to feel ashamed that I have done it. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · on verse 7
“A wonder - For my many and sore calamities. Psalms 71:15”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · on verse 1
“Ps 71 This untitled lament by an aging believer is more of a confession of confidence and hope than the cry of someone abandoned by God. The psalmist experienced God’s power and protection in his youth (71:5-8) and now prays for rescue from the adversaries who stalk him in his old age (71:9-13). Even in the midst of his peril, he continues to tell of God’s past faithfulness and looks forward with hope to a time when he can testify to the next generation that God is faithful and righteous. 71:1-4 The poet has learned to acknowledge God as the reliable rock who will do what is right toward him and his oppressors.…”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · on verse 1
“do I: Psa 22:5, Psa 25:2, Psa 25:3, Psa 31:1-3, Psa 125:1, Psa 146:5; Kg2 18:5; Ch1 5:20; Rom 9:33; Pe1 2:6 let me: Isa 45:17; Jer 17:18 Psalms 71:2”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · on verse 1
“Stayed upon Jahve, his ground of trust, from early childhood up, the poet hopes and prays for deliverance out of the hand of the foe. The first of these two strophes ( Psa 71:1-3) is taken from Psa 31:2-4, the second ( Psa 71:4-6, with the exception of Psa 71:4 and Psa 71:6) from Psa 22:10-11; both, however, in comparison with Psa 70:1-5 exhibit the far more encroaching variations of a poet who reproduces the language of others with a freer hand. Olshausen wishes to read מעוז in Psa 71:3, Psa 90:1; Psa 91:9, instead of מעון, which he holds to be an error in writing. But this old Mosaic, Deuteronomial word (vid.,…”
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