Psalms 71

The Prophet being in danger of being overtaken and surprised, avoweth his trusting in God alone, whom he beseecheth for speedy deliverance from his subtile and cruel enemies, according to the favour which he had shewed him formerly, even from his youth, giving him always cause of praising his Name; which he doth promise likewise to do constantly, praying withal for perseverance and preservation in his old age, and resting confident thereof, makes promise of solemn thankfulness to God.

1. On (or in) thee, O LORD do I trust: let me not be ashamed in eternity.

2. Rescue me through thy righteousness, [Psalms 31:2.] and deliver me: encline thine ear to me, and save me.

3. Be to me a rock, for to dwell therein, [Heb. Rock of habitation or dwelling,] to enter therein continually, thou hast given charge, [viz. To thine Angels, as Psalms 91:11. or thou hast ordained, taken order, decree that I shall be saved.] for to deliver me; [or of delivering me] for thou art my rock and my fortress.

4. My God deliver me from the hand of the wicked, [i.e. from his power or violence] from the hand [Heb. Palme] of him, that dealeth perversely, [or, that practiseth iniquity] and of the puft up. [or, of the cruel, after, that spileth and wasteth all, the insolent, violent. The Hebrew word comes from Leavens, whereunto the Apostle also doth liken the bad, 1 Cor.5.8. or, (as some think) by the change of a letter, from insolence, fierceness or violence.]

5. For thou art mine expectation, Lord, LORD; my confidence (even) from my youth.

6. On thee I have leaned (even) from the belly; thou art my helper out (or puller forth) from my mothers bowels hast thou drawn me. Compare Psalms 22:10,11.] My praise is continually of thee [i.e. I am (or shall be) always taken up with lauding and praying of thee, which thou hast given me cause enough for, ever since I was born.]

7. I have been to many [Or, to the great (ones)] as a wonder: [or, monster, of which many (or the great ones) in Sauls time, were afraid and terrified, thinking God must needs hate me, because of my manifold suffering. See Psalms 31:12. and compare below, verse 11. Some are of opinion, that David doth prosecute that here which he had said in the former verse, applying this to the wonderful deliverances and protections, which God from time to time had wrought for David beyond all mens thoughts or expectation; it being no less then a Miracle, whereby Gods people should learn to believe God, and firmly rely on him, nothing doubting, but Davids sufferings should have a good issue: compare Isa.20.2. Ezek.12.6.1. with the Annotation.] yet thou art my strong refuge.

8. Let my mouth be replenished with thy praise; the whole day (or, all the day) with thy glory. [As thou hast done in former times, so give me new cause again still of praying thee.]

9. Reject me not in the time of old age: [From hence and v.18. it is gathered that David made this Psalm upon the conspiracy and persecution of Absalom.] forsake me not, while my strength perisheth.

10. For mine enemies speak of me: and they that lurk for my soul [Or watch, keep watch, lie in wait, spy out for my soul-seek to destroy and take away my life: comp. Psalms 56:7.] consult together.

11. Saying, God hath forsaken him: pursue, and apprehend him. [Compare 2 Sam.17.1,2.] for there is no deliverer. [i.e. none that shall be able to rescue him out of our hands.]

12. O God be not far from me: my God, haste thee to my help. [For Absaloms persecution came very suddenly and unexpectedly upon him, see 2 Sam.15.14.]

13. Let them be ashamed, let them be covered over with reproach, that seek my evil. [i.e. my ruine and destruction, as below v.24.]

14. Yet I shall hope continually; and shall make all thy praise yet greater. [Heb. I shall add to all thy praise; praise thee more yet, then ever I did. Compare the manner of speaking with 2 Chron.10.11.]

15. My mouth shall relate thy righteousness, the whole day, (or all the day long) thy salvation. Albeit I do not know the numbers. [i.e. the works of thy righteousness and of thy salvation are so many, that there is no numbering of them.]

16. I will go on (Or go my way) in the mightinesses of the Lord LORD, [As if he should say: I will pass on courageously and undauntedly, being enabled through Gods almighty power. Or (as others take it) I will betake my self to the relating and declaring of thy mighty works, I will enter upon, or go about that matter, although I be not able to do it according to their worth.] I will record thy righteousness, thine alone [Or make mention of, recount, keep i, or bring to remembrance, giving thee alone the glory, for having so often and wonderfully delivered and preserved me through thy righteousness, as above v.2. and below v.19.]

17. O God thou hast taught me from my youth: and I declare thy wonders hitherto.

18. Therefore also, the whilest old age and grayness is there, [Or until the old age and grayness. See of the like use of the Hebrew particle, Job 1.on v.18.] forsake me not O God, until I do declare thine arm [i.e. thy power, as the Prophet doth declare it himself presently after] unto (this) generation, [i.e. to the men of this age, to the people now living, see Sam.12.on v.8.] thy power [which thou shewest in delivering of me, and in destroying of mine Enemies] unto all posterity. [Heb. To all (or every one) that shall come.]

19. Also thy righteousness O God, is into the height; [Some connect these words with the former thus: and thy righteousness, viz. May I declare (which reacheth) unto the height, i.e. unto the heavens. See Psa.36.6,7. Or to the highest, in the highest degree, viz. Praise it by recording] thou that hast done great things, [or for that thou, or because thou. Oth. They are great things which thou hast done] O God, who is like thee?

20. Thou that hast made me to see many (Or great) straights and evils, [i.e. hast made me to undergo and taste many afflictions. See Job 7.on v.7.] shalt revive me, and so again presently, thou shalt return, thou shalt fetch me up; as who should say, thou wast wont so to do, and thou wilt do so again now at this time. Compare Psa.85.7.] and wilt fetch me (oth.us) up again out of the abysses of the Earth. [i.e. out of deep miseries.]

21. Thou shalt multiply my greatness, and comfort me round about. [Heb. Thou shalt go round about (or surround, compass) thou shalt comfort me, i.e. thou shalt supply me with comfort from all sides.]

22. Also I will praise thee with the Instrument of the Lute, thy faithfulness, my God: I shall sing Psalms to thee with the harp; O holy one of Israel. [as Psa.78.41. and 89.19, &c. Thou being holiness it self, doest sanctify thy people, and art sanctified of thy people, i.e. acknowledged to be holy, praised thus holily served, and severed from all Idols. See Lev.20.v.8.26. Isa.8.13. Mat.9, &c.]

23. My lips shall shout, when I shall sing Psalms unto thee: and my soul, which thou hast redeemed.

24. Also my tongue shall utter thy righteousness all the day: for they are ashamed, they are made to blush, that seek my evil, [as above v.13. David doth triumph here through faith, seeing thereby the ruine of his persecutors before his eyes as it were. Others; when they are made ashamed, when they are made to blush.]