Psalms

Chapter 71

Be My Rock of Refuge

The psalmist takes refuge in the Lord and asks not to be cast off in old age, grounding his plea in a lifetime of divine care that began from birth. Surrounded by enemies who read his weakness as abandonment, he answers with renewed hope, vowing to declare God's righteousness, mighty deeds, and faithful instruction to the next generation. The psalm moves from urgent petition to mature confidence that the God who has led him through many troubles will revive him again, increase his honor, and draw out songs of praise from lips and life alike.

Psalm 71 is one of the Psalter's clearest prayers of old age, showing how late-life vulnerability can become a setting for deeper testimony rather than diminished faith. It joins personal history, present danger, intergenerational calling, and hopeful praise into a model of persevering dependence on God from youth to gray hair.

1 section·170 words·~1 min read

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Psalms 71

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vv. 1-24

Be My Rock of Refuge

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I¹n You, O LORD, I have taken refuge; ²In Your justice, rescue and deliver me; ³Be my rock of refuge, ⁴Deliver me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked, ⁵For You are my hope, O Lord GOD, ⁶I have leaned on You since birth; ⁷I have become a portent to many, ⁸My mouth is filled with Your praise

⁹Do not discard me in my old age; ¹⁰For my enemies speak against me, ¹¹saying, “God has forsaken him; ¹²Be not far from me, O God. ¹³May the accusers of my soul

¹⁴But I will always hope ¹⁵My mouth will declare Your righteousness ¹⁶I will come in the strength of the Lord GOD; ¹⁷O God, You have taught me from my youth, ¹⁸Even when I am old and gray,

¹⁹Your righteousness reaches to the heavens, O God, ²⁰Though You have shown me many troubles and misfortunes, ²¹You will increase my honor ²²So I will praise You with the harp ²³When I sing praise to You ²⁴My tongue will indeed proclaim

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01vv. 1-24Be My Rock of RefugeThe psalmist asks the Lord to remain his refuge and deliverer just as he has been from the very beginning of life. He pleads not to be abandoned when strength fades and enemies gather, but instead resolves to keep hoping and proclaiming God's righteousness. Remembering that God taught him from youth, he asks to remain useful in old age by declaring God's power to the next generation. The psalm ends with confidence that God will revive him again and with sustained praise for God's truth, righteousness, and redeeming care.