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
II. The Troubles of a Godly Sr. Adult - vvs. 7-13
7 I am as a wonder unto many; but thou art my strong refuge.
Even though many of the Psalmist’s contemporaries we amazed at his life and actions, he knew that the LORD was a refuge for him. He did not limit God by saying and believing God to be an ordinary shelter like men could make, but God was a strong refuge for him. Our God will be as big or strong as we can conceive Him to be. The Holy Word of God declares the Lord to be all-powerful. When we doubt or think God not to be all that He is.
When, in our minds, we place a limit on Him, then our faith needs to be strengthend. Without faith it is impossible to please Him.
8 Let my mouth be filled with thy praise and with thy honour all the day.
Now that is the attitude that can move the hand of God. John 15:16 speakes to this, Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
9 Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength faileth.
10 For mine enemies speak against me; and they that lay wait for my soul take counsel together,
11 Saying, God hath forsaken him: persecute and take him; for there is none to deliver him.
Men may judge us. Their judgement might be correct, but the Lord sees our attitudes and actions and judges us in His mercy. Colossians 3:17 can be our guide, And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. This verse covers the panorama of life, because anything and everything we do is either in word or deed.
12 O God, be not far from me: O my God, make haste for my help.
Most have seen very young children cling to or hold on to a parent’s hand, dress, or trousers. Why?--the need for security and protection. The psalmist desired greatly to access God’s nearness and help. Knowing that help is available can be an impetus or catalyst for the saints to proceed in their perceived will of God with confidence.
13 Let them be confounded and consumed that are adversaries to my soul; let them be covered with reproach and dishonour that seek my hurt.
Verse 13 is an imprecatory request. The psalmist greatly desires for the Lord to deal with his enemies. The prophet Isaiah made a similar request in the book of Isaiah chapter 64, verses 1-4. The verses say, Oh that thou wouldest rend the heavens, that thou wouldest come down, that the mountains might flow down at thy presence, As when the melting fire burneth, the fire causeth the waters to boil, to make thy name known to thine adversaries, that the nations may tremble at thy presence! When thou didst terrible things which we looked not for, thou camest down, the mountains flowed down at thy presence. For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him.
III. The Trust of a Godly Sr. Adult - vvs. 14-16
14 But I will hope continually, and will yet praise thee more and more.
15 My mouth shall shew forth thy righteousness and thy salvation all the day; for I know not the numbers thereof.
16 I will go in the strength of the Lord GOD: I will make mention of thy righteousness, even of thine only.
IV. The Testimony of a Godly Sr. Adult - vvs. 17-24
17 O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works.
18 Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come.
Please observe a comforting verse for the elderly saints of God--Proverbs 16:31, The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness. The word hoary in the verse connotes age, gray hair, old age.
19 Thy righteousness also, O God, is very high, who hast done great things: O God, who is like unto thee!
It is a fact that God has no competition. None can do greater than Yahweh! No other, so called, god is from everlasting to everlasting. Our LORD God has omnipotence beyond human comprehension.
20 Thou, which hast shewed me great and sore troubles, shalt quicken me again, and shalt bring me up again from the depths of the earth.
Job 19:26 deals with the same subject: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: The book of Job is considered by some to be the oldest book in man’s literature. "So what?"
you say. Here is what: If Job’s existence predates that of the psalmist, then each generation of righteous, God-fearing peoples have concluded that Jehovah will protect in life and resurrect the dead at the time He appoints.
21 Thou shalt increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side.
22 I will also praise thee with the psaltery, even thy truth, O my God: unto thee will I sing with the harp, O thou Holy One of Israel.
23 My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing unto thee; and my soul, which thou hast redeemed.
We would do well to attempt to emulate the writer in using our talents and abilities for up-building of the Kingdom of God. Colossians 3:17, And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. Ecclesiastes 9:10a, Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might;.... David here says that he will greatly rejoice and sing. Enthusiasm has been found to be contagious. Christ is seen in us when our works are dedicated in action. Slothfulness and a lackadaisical work ethic are counterproductive to the testimony of the Christian.
24 My tongue also shall talk of thy righteousness all the day long: for they are confounded, for they are brought unto shame, that seek my hurt.
Please, let the following speak to the main thought here in Psalm 71:24: Romans 12:19, Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written [in Deuteronomy 32:35], Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Again, here is the Old Testament chapter and verse mentioned above: Deuteronomy 32:35, To me belongeth vengeance, and recompence; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste. As a parenthetical thought--these two verses demonstrate the harmony of the Holy Bible.
V. The Psalmist Actions
A. v. 22, praised God continually
B. v. 23, greatly rejoiced
C. v. 24, talked of God’s righteousness
D. vvs. 1, 14, put his trust in the Lord
E. v. 16, went in His strength (Impotence will lean on omnipotence!)
VI. Actions of God Almighty
A. v. 16, gives strength
B. v. 13, protects from the enemy--John Newton illustrates:
What think you of Christ? is the test,
To try both your state and your scheme:
You cannot be right in the rest
Unless you think rightly of him.
As Jesus appears in your view,
As he is beloved or not,
So God is disposed to you
And mercy or wrath is your lot.
Some take Him a creature to be,
A man or an angel at most;
Sure these have not feelings like me
Nor know themselves wretched or lost:
So guilty, so helpless am I,
I durst not confide in his blood,
Nor on his protection rely
Unless I was sure He is God.
Some call him Saviour, in word,
But mix their own works with his plan,
And hope he his help will afford,
When they have done all that they can;
If doings prove rather too light,
(A little, they own, they may fail)
They purpose to make up full weight
By casting his name in the scale.
Some style him the pearl of great price
And say He’s the fountain of joys,
Yet feed upon folly and vice
And cleave to the world and its toys;
Like Judas the Saviour they kiss
And while they salute him, betray;
Ah! what will profession like this
Avail in the terrible day?
If asked what of Jesus I think,
Though still my best thoughts are but poor,
I say he’s my meat and my drink,
My life and my strength and my store;
My shepherd, my husband, my friend,
My Saviour from sin and from thrall;
My hope from beginning to end,
My portion, my Lord, and my all!___John Newton
C. v. 18, will not forsake
D. v. 20, will bring up from the grave
E. v. 1, will not confuse
Conclusion: Romans 10:13, For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord
shall be saved.
The actions of God are available to all who are redeemed by the blood
of the Crucified One (Jesus the Christ)!
Acts 4:12, Neither is there salvation in any other: for there in none
other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must
be saved.
Definitions of REDEEM
1. to buy back
a. repurchase
b. to get or win back
2. to free from what distresses or harms:
a. to free from captivity by payment of ransom
b. to extricate from or help to overcome something detrimental
c. to release from blame or debt: clear
d. to free from the consequences of sin
3. to change for the better: reform
4. repair, restore
5. to free from a lien by payment of an amount secured thereby
a. to remove the obligation of by payment
b. to exchange for something of value
c. to make good: fulfill
6. to atone for: expiate
a. to offset the bad effect of
b. to make worthwhile: retrieve___Merriam Webster Dictionary
