Day 147

Psalm 71 part 2 

Notice the still more intense grip of faith in the second clause of v12. The psalmist first says, ‘O God,’ & then he says, ‘O my God.’ This is the pleading of personal faith. This psalm is a wonderful combination of both problems and praise. 

The adversaries of our soul (v13) are more often spiritual than physical, though both may be the case. Those who go to the battle against their spiritual enemies should go, confiding not in their own ‘strength,’ but in that of the Lord God; not in their own ‘righteousness,’ but in that of their Redeemer. Such a one engages the enemy with omnipotence on their side, and cannot but be victorious. 

V19, ‘Who is like You:’ God is alone, – who can resemble him? He is eternal. He can have none before, and there can be none after; He is that eternal, unlimited, impartible, incomprehensible, and indescribable, indefinable Being, whose essence is hidden from all created intelligence, and whose counsels cannot be fathomed by any creature that his own hand has formed. The finite cannot understand the infinite; the creature cannot comprehend the creator. ‘Who is like You!’ This phrase will excite the wonder, amazement, praise, and adoration of angels and men through all eternity. 

Never doubt God. Never say that He has forsaken or forgotten. Never think that He is unsympathetic. He will give life again. The ‘greatness’; of v21 are God’s saving acts demonstrated in the psalmist’s life. 

The psalmist, in his conclusion, promised to praise God not only with his voice but also with his musical instruments. It would be a song celebrating God for what He has done (Your faithfulness) and for who He is (O Holy One of Israel). 

His soul sings of his redemption: remember Gen2:7, dust plus breath of God = a living soul (entire being). 

To celebrate it aright, with the melody of instruments, voices, and affections, all in perfect concord is the duty and delight of the church militant; this best resembles the church triumphant. The vindication of the final verses is not vindictiveness. It will be part of the joy of heaven (cf. Rev15:3; &18:20).