Psa 71:1-5 | Clarke | STEP | The prophet, in confidence, prays for God's favor, ; recounts God's kindness to him from youth to old age, ; shows what his adversaries plot against him, and prays for their confusion, ; promises fidelity, and determines to be a diligent preacher of righteousness even in old age, ; takes encouragement in God's mercy, and foresees the confusion of all his adversaries, . There is no title to this Psalm either in the Hebrew or Chaldee; and the reason is, it was written as a part of the preceding Psalm, as appears by about twenty-seven of Kennicott's and De Rossi's MSS. The Vulgate, Septuagint, Ethiopic, and Arabic, have, "A Psalm of David for the sons of Jonadab, and the first of those who were led captives." For the first, second, and third verses, see the notes on their parallels, (note).

Psalms 71:1-5

Introduction

The prophet, in confidence, prays for God's favor, Psa 71:1-5; recounts God's kindness to him from youth to old age, Psa 71:6-9; shows what his adversaries plot against him, and prays for their confusion, Psa 71:10-13; promises fidelity, and determines to be a diligent preacher of righteousness even in old age, Psa 71:14-19; takes encouragement in God's mercy, and foresees the confusion of all his adversaries, Psa 71:20-24.

There is no title to this Psalm either in the Hebrew or Chaldee; and the reason is, it was written as a part of the preceding Psalm, as appears by about twenty-seven of Kennicott's and De Rossi's MSS. The Vulgate, Septuagint, Ethiopic, and Arabic, have, "A Psalm of David for the sons of Jonadab, and the first of those who were led captives." For the first, second, and third verses, see the notes on their parallels, Psa 31:1-3 (note). Verse 3

Be thou my strong habitation - Instead of מען maon, habitation, many of Kennicott's and De Rossi's MSS. read מעז maoz, munition or defense. Be thou my rock of defense.

Thou hast given commandment to save me - Thou hast determined my escape, and hast ordered thy angels to guard me. See Psa 91:11, Psa 91:12. Verse 4

Out of the hand of the wicked - Probably his unnatural son Absalom, called here רשע rasha, the Wicked, because he had violated all laws, human and Divine.

The unrighteous and cruel man - Probably Ahithophel who was the iniquitous counsellor of a wicked and rebellious son. Verse 5

My trust from my youth - When I was born into the world, thou didst receive me, and thou tookest me under thy especial care. "My praise shall be continually of thee." Rather, I have always made thee my boast.