Psalm 71

Wisdom especially for those who are getting old
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Text
Explanation
David (who I assume was the writer) saw old people wicked and unhappy.
.1 ¶ In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion.
 2 Deliver me in thy righteousness, and cause me to escape: incline thine ear unto me, and save me.
 3 Be thou my strong habitation, whereunto I may continually resort: thou hast given commandment to save me; for thou art my rock and my fortress. 
 4 Deliver me, O my God, out of the hand of the wicked, out of the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man.
 5 For thou art my hope, O Lord GOD: thou art my trust from my youth.
  3 - Given commandment See ps04404, ps06828.
  4 - Wicked ps05513 and more.
 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.
 7 I am as a wonder unto many; but thou art my strong refuge.
 8 Let my mouth be filled with thy praise and with thy honour all the day.
 9 Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength faileth.
  6 - By thee have I been holden up Literally "Upon You I have braced myself." As a helpless child depends on parents, David placed confidence in the Lord. ps02209, is4603.
  7 - Wonder A "sign."
  9 - Old age See pr1631.
.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.
 12 O God, be not far from me: O my God, make haste for my help.
 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.
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 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.
 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.
  18 - Shewed thy strength What has been my and your testimony and example for younger ones to follow, especially to our children? Notice in the rest of the verse, "Forsake me not." Even if we have been careless, we have a testimony for our children and, even if we feel like a failure, God will not forsake us. If David could pray this way, we may claim God's strength for ourselves, too.
.19 Thy righteousness also, O God, is very high, who hast done great things: O God, who is like unto thee!
 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.
 21 Thou shalt increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side.
  20 - Quicken me again "Quicken" in modern English is to "make alive." Some see this verse as a metaphor meaning recovery from depression. I don't agree. Being old, the psalmist was facing death and looked forward to the resurrection. ("depths of the earth" is a metaphor for the grave.) That hope strengthened his confidence. There is no place in this verse for going to heaven first. See is3818, ec0905, ps14604, ps11517, 1th0416.
.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.
 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.
The link codes point to one verse which is often the first of several which are needed for clarity.
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