Psa 71 | MHM | STEP | David Professes His Confidence in God; Believing Prayers In this psalm, David prays for two main things: that he would never be ashamed of trusting in God and that his enemies would be frustrated in their plans against him. He expresses deep trust in God and shares how his faith is supported by personal experiences of God’s care throughout his life. David’s prayers show us how to rely on God in times of trouble and to remain confident in His faithfulness. v. 1 : David begins by declaring his trust: In thee, O Lord , do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion . He prays that God will never let him be ashamed of depending on Him. This is a prayer all believers can confidently make because God never fails those who trust in Him.

‏ Psalms 71

David Professes His Confidence in God; Believing Prayers

In this psalm, David prays for two main things: that he would never be ashamed of trusting in God and that his enemies would be frustrated in their plans against him. He expresses deep trust in God and shares how his faith is supported by personal experiences of God’s care throughout his life. David’s prayers show us how to rely on God in times of trouble and to remain confident in His faithfulness.

v. 1: David begins by declaring his trust: In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion . He prays that God will never let him be ashamed of depending on Him. This is a prayer all believers can confidently make because God never fails those who trust in Him.

v. 2: He asks for deliverance: Deliver me in thy righteousness, and cause me to escape: incline thine ear unto me, and save me . He appeals to God’s justice as the reason for his rescue, knowing God is both righteous and faithful to His promises.

v. 3: David prays for constant safety in God: Be thou my strong habitation, whereunto I may continually resort . He wants God to be his refuge, a place he can always turn to. He trusts God’s promise, saying, Thou hast given commandment to save me, showing his confidence in God’s power to protect him.

v. 4: He asks for deliverance from his enemies, Deliver me, O my God, out of the hand of the wicked, out of the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man . David’s enemies are described as wicked and cruel, and he trusts God to deal with them justly.

v. 5–6: David reflects on God’s faithfulness throughout his life: For thou art my hope, O Lord GOD: thou art my trust from my youth (Psalm 71:5 ^a). He remembers how God has cared for him since birth: By thee have I been holden up from the womb (Psalm 71:6 ^b). This long history of God’s goodness gives him confidence to trust God now.

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v. 7: David acknowledges that others see his life as unusual: I am as a wonder unto many; but thou art my strong refuge . Even though people are amazed by his struggles, he knows God is his safe place and protector.

v. 8: He prays that his life will be filled with praise: Let my mouth be filled with thy praise and with thy honour all the day . David wants to focus on praising God continually, no matter what happens.

v. 9: As he grows older, David prays, Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength faileth . He acknowledges the weaknesses that come with age but trusts that God will remain faithful and never abandon him.

v. 10–11: David describes the words of his enemies: They say, God hath forsaken him: persecute and take him; for there is none to deliver him (Psalm 71:10–11 ^c). His enemies wrongly assume that God has abandoned him, and they try to use this as an opportunity to attack.

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v. 12: He asks for God’s help once again: O God, be not far from me: O my God, make haste for my help . David needs to feel God’s presence and assistance urgently, especially as he faces cruel enemies.

v. 13: Finally, David prays for justice: Let them be confounded and consumed that are adversaries to my soul . He asks God to stop his enemies and bring shame upon those who plot against him. David trusts God to deal with them fairly and protect him as His servant.

Joyful Praises; Rejoicing in Hope

In these verses, David moves from fear to faith, and his sadness turns into joyful praise. He chooses to keep hoping in God, no matter what his enemies say or how difficult things become. His confidence and joy come from remembering God’s strength, righteousness, and faithfulness through his whole life. David’s example encourages us to trust God in every season, especially as we grow older.

v. 14: David says, But I will hope continually, and will yet praise thee more and more . Even when others try to make him give up, he decides to keep hoping in God and to praise Him even more. The longer he lives, the more he wants to praise God.

v. 15: He promises, My mouth shall show forth thy righteousness and thy salvation all the day; for I know not the numbers thereof . David wants to keep talking about God’s goodness and saving power, because there is so much to say about it—he could never count it all.

v. 16: David declares, I will go in the strength of the Lord GOD: I will make mention of thy righteousness, even of thine only . He knows that he can only do God’s work with God’s strength, not his own. He depends on God’s faithfulness and promises, not on himself.

v. 17–18: He remembers, O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works. Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, forsake me not (Psalm 71:17–18 ^d). David thanks God for teaching him since he was young, and asks God to stay with him in his old age. He wants to keep telling others about God’s power and goodness, even to the next generation.

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v. 19: David says, Thy righteousness also, O God, is very high; who hast done great things: O God, who is like unto thee? . He is amazed at God’s righteousness and mighty works. There is no one like God.

v. 20: He acknowledges, 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 . David trusts that even though God has allowed him to see hard times, God will revive him and lift him up again, just as God raised Jesus from the grave (2 Corinthians 1:9 ^e).

v. 21: He believes, Thou shalt increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side . David is sure that God will not only restore him but will also bless him with even greater honor and comfort after his troubles.

v. 22–23: David promises, 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. My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing unto thee; and my soul, which thou hast redeemed (Psalm 71:22–23 ^f). He will praise God with music, rejoicing with all his heart, because God has saved him.

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v. 24: He declares, 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 (Psalm 71:24 ^g). David ends by saying he will keep talking about God’s righteousness, because God has defeated his enemies and brought him joy and victory.