Day 146

Psalm 71: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+71&version=NASB

Though untitled, many commentators believe this is a psalm of David and is his prayer and trust in God in his later years under the crisis of Absalom’s rebellion. Even a cursory reading reveals the prayer of an aged believer who has a faith of holy confidence, that has been strengthened by a long and remarkable experience in God. Evidence for Davidic authorship is that it quotes repeatedly from his own psalms of earlier years.vs1-3 are quoted almost exactly from Ps.31:1-3. The thoughts of v5 seem to be suggested by Ps.22:9-11. V12a echoes Ps.22:11. 12b takes the thought of Ps.70:1. V13 is similar to Ps.35:26. V18 carries the thoughts of Ps.22:22 and 22:30-31. V19 uses the phrasing of Ex.15:11. It is therefore reasonable to think that the author was familiar with these songs.  

Many psalms begin with the description of the poet’s need. The first line looks to God and declares the singer’s trust in Yahweh, the Lord, the covenant God of Israel. The psalmist was confident that such trust in the Lord would lead to vindication and that he would never be put to shame. 

The psalmist proclaimed his hope and trust in Adonai Yahweh, (4-6) the Master and covenant God of Israel. It wasn’t just that his hope was in Yahweh; He was his hope. Though contemptuously derided, his focus is unmoved. Christ, in his state of humiliation upon earth, was a ‘sign’ everywhere ‘spoken against,’ as foretold Luke.2:34). 

The psalmist knew the faithfulness of God through his younger years and now asked that God continue that faithfulness in his old age and as his strength fails. He knew that man’s strength diminishes with old age, but God’s strength does not.  

 Comparing v11; Jesus knew what it was like for men to say against Him, ‘God has forsaken him’ (Luke.23:35-37). Our Lord felt this barbed shaft and it is no marvel if we feel the same.   

The writer, now old, had to recognize that some problems had reoccurred throughout his life. But this was the compelling reason for his constant and personal trust in God.