Bible Commentaries
Psalms 71

Verses 1-24

Psalms 71

Deliverance Entreaty

Scripture v. 1-24:

Verse 1 confides that David had placed his trust or full confidence in God; on this basis he asked the Lord to see to it that he might, never be put to confusion, or total frustration, Numbers 14:8; Psalms 119:6.

Verses 2, 3 petitioned the Lord to deliver him in His righteousness, causing him to escape the enemy; David also cried for the Lord to incline his ear (lean near) to his cry, and save him, 1 Samuel 17:37; 2 Samuel 22:7; 1 Chronicles 16:35. He further requested "be thou or exist thou my strong or repeatedly resort or retreat for security," Proverbs 18:10. He added that the Lord had mandated that he be saved (delivered) from death at the hand of his enemies, confiding the Lord existed as his rock (foundation), and his secure fortress, or refuge, Exodus 33:22; Proverbs 14:26; Deuteronomy 32:4; 2 Samuel 22:2; Psalms 44:4; Psalms 68:28.

Verse 4 appeals "deliver me, O God, out of the hand (the grasp mikpah) of the wicked, out of the hand of the cruel or sour man," one who is a violent man, Psalms 119:134.

Verses 5, 6 confide that the Lord God was David’s hope and object of trust from his youth up, Psalms 31:24; Psalms 146:5; 2 Kings 18:5; 1 Samuel 2:26; Luke 2:49.
Verse 6 adds that he had been taken from the womb or from birth. Because of God’ faithful care so long he stated, "my praise shall be continually of thee," Deuteronomy 6:24; Genesis 1:26.

Verses 7, 8 continue "I am as a wonder unto many; but thou art my strong refuge," Isaiah 8:18; Zechariah 3:8; 2 Samuel 22:2. He then added, "Let my mouth be filled with thy praise and with thy honor," 2 Chronicles 5:13; Psalms 29:2. Because of his sufferings he had been a wonder to many, even as out Lord was in his passion, Deuteronomy 28:46; Isaiah 52:14; 1 Corinthians 4:9; Psalms 107:32.

Verse 9 pledges "cast me not off in time of old age," since you have been my strength from the womb, from birth, v. 5. He added "forsake me not when my strength faileth," as inhumane, selfish men and women are prone to do, Genesis 15:15; Proverbs 16:31; 1 Kings 1:1; Ecclesiastes 12:3.

Verses 10, 11 declare "mine enemies speak against me and take counsel together," in collusion, with ulterior purposes against, to destroy his life, Psalms 5:9; Psalms 35:7; Psalms 86:14.
Verse 11 adds "saying (repeatedly) God hath forsaken or deserted him; Persecute and take him (in bondage) for there is (exists) none to deliver him," Matthew 27:1; Psalms 7:1. This is the way Ahithophel spoke against David when he was fleeing from Absalom, 2 Samuel 17:2; Psalms 3:2; Psalms 41:7-8.

Verses 12, 13 relate David’s continuing prayer, "O God, be not far from me," Psalms 22:11; He continued, "O my God, make haste for my help," Psalms 35:22; Psalms 38:21; Psalms 70:1. He continued a former refrain, "Let them be confounded and consumed that are adversaries, demons to my soul," adding, "Let them be covered with reproach and dishonor that seek my hurt," Psalms 35:4; Psalms 40:14; Psalms 70:2.

Verses 14-16 resolve, "But I will hope continually, and praise you more and more," He added that his mouth would witness of the righteousness of God and His salvation all the day, as described v. 8. For he conceded he could not know or calculate the numbers of God’s’ blessings to him, Psalms 35:28; Psalms 40:5. He continued by stating that he would "go forth" in the strength of the Jehovah and Elohim God, making mention of only His righteousness, not of his own, Zechariah 10:12; Ephesians 3:16; Ephesians 6:10; 2 Timothy 2:1; Numbers 27:17; Deuteronomy 18:6.

Verse 17 Is a Davidic testimony God had taught him from his youth. And that he had heretofore testified of His wondrous works, Exodus 4:15; Deuteronomy 4:5; Psalms 8:3; Psalms 94:10; Isaiah 8:11.

Verse 18 appeals to God not to forsake him in old age when he was grayheaded, even until he had shown God’s strength and power to that generation, and passed his kingdom to Solomon, his son, and generations to come, Genesis 15:15; 2 Samuel 7:12-16.

Verse 19 extols the righteousness of the Lord as "very high," who "has done great things," adding, "O God, who is like unto thee?" as set forth Psalms 36:5; Psalms 57:5; Psalms 57:10; Exodus 15:11; 2 Samuel 7:22. See also Ezra 9:15; Deuteronomy 10:21; Exodus 8:10.

Verse 20 adds an expression of David’s faith and hope in the resurrection and life hereafter, beyond troubles and death, as pledged Deuteronomy 8:5; Job 5:7; Psalms 116:3; Psalms 49:15; Ezekiel ch. 38, 39. See also Psalms 29:10; Psalms 32:6; Psalms 36:6.

Verse 21, 22 are a faith-promise or faith pledge from David. Because he knows God will comfort him, and increase his greatness on every side, of the truth of God, of his fidelity as the covenant keeping God, even in harmony with the harp, 2 Kings 19:22; Isaiah 60:9; See also Psalms 91:14; Psalms 86:17; 1 Samuel 10:5; Deuteronomy 32:4; Numbers 21:17; Exodus 15:11.

Verses 23, 24 continue David’s resolve that his lips and soul will greatly rejoice in harmony, as he sings of his soul’s redemption, solely by the grace, good favor, of the Lord, 1 Samuel 2:1; Psalms 31:5. He added that his tongue (verbal testimony) would meditatively speak of and extol God’s righteousness, all the day long, because the Lord had confounded and brought to shame those who sought to do him personal and national hurt and shame, Psalms 26:7; Deuteronomy 6:7; Job 40:12; Psalms 25:3; Psalms 35:28.