Faith Through Life
Psalm 71 (KJV)
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.
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.
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.
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 greyheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come.
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.
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.
Faith Through Life
The writer of this Psalm begins with the assertion that his full confidence and trust is in the Lord. “In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust” (71:1). Trust is developed over time. It is founded on experiences of God’s faithfulness and consistency. The writer knows God has given the commandment to save him. It is God’s will and it shall be done. God is his rock and fortress. He prays for deliverance out of the hand of the wicked, unrighteous and cruel man. This person contends with numerous types of evildoers who wish to do him harm. But he has trusted God from his youth. Even from his womb, God has held him up and watched over him. His praise shall be continuously of God. “Let my mouth be filled with thy praise and with thy honor all the day” (71:8). Now the writer shifts to the time of old age and asks God not to cast him off in his latter years when his strength faileth. Even if he is old, his enemies lay in wait for him. They say God has forsaken him. They believe they can persecute him now as he has grown older and more feeble. He prays that God will not be far from him. He cries out for His help.
God always rises up against the wicked. “Let them be confounded and consumed” (71:13). The righteous man will hope continually in the Lord, he repeats. All the day, he will speak of God’s salvation. “I will go in the strength of the Lord god” (71:16). We may be weak but our God is strong. Even if we are old we have victory through the might and power of God. God has taught him from his youth and this is why he can declare his wondrous works. In contrast he states, now that he is old and grey headed, that God will not forsake him. God’s strength will be shown to this generation and to everyone that is to come. His deliverance is meant to reveal God’s glory to others. They will see the high righteousness of God. “O God who is like unto thee. Thou which hast shewed me great and sore troubles shall quicken me again” (71:19-20). In his old age, God shall increase his greatness and comfort him on every side. He will add instruments of the psaltery and the harp in his praise songs to God. Words will flow from his lips all the day long of God’s righteousness. He repeats the dire end for those who hate him. His victory is declared from the time of his youth to the time of his elderly years.
I gave my life to Jesus at the young age of eight years old. It has been over fifty years later and what a beautiful journey it has been with the lord. As the writer in this psalm does, I reflect on the many times God has proven I can trust in him. He has answered my prayers, comforted me and miraculously healed my body. I have no doubt he loves me and cares so much for me. I will continually speak and sing of his marvelous works. He is my strength now in my old age just as He was in my youth. May others marvel at the wonders and power of God when they see all He has done for me throughout the years.
I would love to hear what this Psalm brings to mind for you! Write back to me in Facebook comment or blog reply.
Disclaimer: The intention of this project is not to teach, but rather to share. Please use due diligence in studying the word of God, and seek guidance from your local religious leaders for any questions or concerns.
Debra Hill
Debra Hill is an independent inspirational singer, author, songwriter, and writer. As a blind performer, she adds a personal story of God’s faithfulness. Her life exemplifies that Christ’s power will work to lift all regardless of circumstances.
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