A Psalm For Seniors

Psalm 71

A Psalm for Seniors

Introduction: ...The psalm of the aged man. Probably David [possibly Samuel or Jeremiah] as he was getting up into years, and his...hair had turned gray. David’s life was a tough life. He had many devoted friends, but also many avowed enemies. And David is always praying concerning those enemies that are seeking his hurt, seeking to destroy him. And even up into the elder years, as the Lord said to David, "The sword shall not depart from thy house." And so in the elder years of David, there was still that problem of the sword, that problem of enemies. And so a psalm of again calling upon the Lord for His help, for His protection, even in his older years.___Adapted from Chuck Smith ,senior pastor of Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa, Santa Ana CA since 1965.

Let us consider: The Trials of a Godly Sr. Adult - vvs. 1-6

The Troubles of a Godly Sr. Adult - vvs. 7-13

The Trust of a Godly Sr. Adult - vvs. 14-16

The Testimony of a Godly Sr. Adult - vvs. 17-24

The Psalmist Actions - selected Scriptures

The Actions of God Almighty - selected verses

Theme: Mt. 28:20b, I [Jesus] am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.

I. The Trials of a Godly Sr. Adult - vvs. 1-6

1 In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion.

For the true saint of God, the born again believer in Jesus the Christ, the placing of complete

and entire trust in Him has advantages. Trusting benefits the saint and blesses the Lord. Psalm 34:1b, "I will bless [adore, congratulate, kneel to] the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth." Proverbs 3:5-6, "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."

2 Deliver me in thy righteousness, and cause me to escape: incline thine ear unto me, and save me.

The word escape in this verse means to bring into security, bring to safety. Who better to deliver us and bring us into genuine safety than the Lord God Almighty? "Like one wounded and left for dead by mine enemies, I need that thou bend over me and bind up my wounds. These mercies are asked on the plea of faith, and they cannot, therefore, be denied."___Spurgeon. One definition of grace is the bending over of a superior one to aid and deliver an inferior one. Our God is mighty to deliver. Looking back over our individual lives--how often did the Lord allow us to escape physical and spiritual dangers. I think the answer would be: "many, many times."

3 Be thou my strong habitation, whereunto I may continually resort: thou hast given commandment [orders] to save me; for thou art my rock and my fortress.

Here the psalmist requests The LORD to be available to him at all times; especially in times of

anguish and trouble. As with the psalmist, we, who are truly born again, may any time and all the time have access to the Lord and His enablements.

4 Deliver me, O my God, out of the hand of the wicked, out of the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man.

The plea continues. What torture and torment awaits the those who come into the wrath of the wicked, unrighteous, and cruel! The enemy of our souls would scare us to death if he could, but greater is He

that is in us the he that is in the world. Please read Isaiah 41:10 for elucidation. Isaiah 54:17 complements:

No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.

5 For thou art my hope, O Lord GOD: thou art my trust from my youth.

Isaiah 40:29, He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.

What a marvelous assurance to know that God guides and keeps the saints from their youthful time

in life into old age; yes, and on through eternity.

6 By 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.

Maybe when Paul authorized Colossians 2:10 to be written, he was thinking of Psalm 71 in general and this verse in particular: And ye are complete [complete, to make complete in every particular, to render perfect] in him, which is the head of all principality and power: Please note that at the time of Paul’s writings the Bible had not been divided into chapters and verses. This author’s comment above is meant to be generic in order to reinforce a point