Have you ever found yourself in the midst of life’s storms, seeking refuge from the relentless waves of adversity?
Psalm 71 extends an invitation to take shelter in the unwavering strength of God, even in the face of trials and tribulations.
Reconnect: In Psalm 71, the psalmist continues to pour out their heart to God, seeking His protection and deliverance from enemies and afflictions. This heartfelt plea echoes themes of trust and dependence on God’s steadfast love, which have been evident throughout the Psalms.
(Summarized and continued after scripture)
Prayer of an Old Man for Deliverance.
1In You, O LORD, I have taken refuge;
Let me never be ashamed.
2In Your righteousness deliver me and rescue me;
Incline Your ear to me and save me.
3Be to me a rock of habitation to which I may continually come;
You have given commandment to save me,
For You are my rock and my fortress.
4Rescue me, O my God, out of the hand of the wicked,
Out of the grasp of the wrongdoer and ruthless man,
5For You are my hope;
O Lord GOD, You are my confidence from my youth.
6By You I have been sustained from my birth;
You are He who took me from my mother’s womb;
My praise is continually of You.
7I have become a marvel to many,
For You are my strong refuge.
8My mouth is filled with Your praise
And with Your glory all day long.
9Do not cast me off in the time of old age;
Do not forsake me when my strength fails.
10For my enemies have spoken against me;
And those who watch for my life have consulted together,
11Saying, “God has forsaken him;
Pursue and seize him, for there is no one to deliver.”
12O God, do not be far from me;
O my God, hasten to my help!
13Let those who are adversaries of my soul be ashamed and consumed;
Let them be covered with reproach and dishonor, who seek to injure me.
14But as for me, I will hope continually,
And will praise You yet more and more.
15My mouth shall tell of Your righteousness
And of Your salvation all day long;
For I do not know the sum of them.
16I will come with the mighty deeds of the Lord GOD;
I will make mention of Your righteousness, Yours alone.
17O God, You have taught me from my youth,
And I still declare Your wondrous deeds.
18And even when I am old and gray, O God, do not forsake me,
Until I declare Your strength to this generation,
Your power to all who are to come.
19For Your righteousness, O God, reaches to the heavens,
You who have done great things;
O God, who is like You?
20You who have shown me many troubles and distresses
Will revive me again,
And will bring me up again from the depths of the earth.
21May You increase my greatness
And turn to comfort me.
22I will also praise You with a harp,
Even Your truth, O my God;
To You I will sing praises with the lyre,
O Holy One of Israel.
23My lips will shout for joy when I sing praises to You;
And my soul, which You have redeemed.
24My tongue also will utter Your righteousness all day long;
For they are ashamed, for they are humiliated who seek my hurt.
Summary Key Points:
- Seeking God’s Protection: The psalmist fervently implores God to be their refuge and stronghold in times of trouble. Amidst the plots of enemies and the onslaught of adversity, they find solace in God’s unwavering presence and protection.
- Reflecting on God’s Faithfulness: Through a retrospective lens, the psalmist recalls God’s faithfulness throughout their life, from their earliest days to the present moment. This reflection serves as a source of encouragement and a reminder of God’s enduring love and care.
- Declaring God’s Righteousness: Amidst the challenges and uncertainties of life, the psalmist boldly declares God’s righteousness and praises Him for His mighty works. In doing so, they reaffirm their trust in God’s sovereignty and goodness, even when circumstances may suggest otherwise.
Call to Action:
As we meditate on Psalm 71, let us:
- Seek Refuge in God: In moments of trial and distress, let us turn to God as our refuge and strength, trusting in His unfailing love and protection.
- Reflect on His Faithfulness: Take time to reflect on God’s faithfulness in your own life, remembering His past provisions and deliverances as a source of hope for the future.
- Declare His Righteousness: Like the psalmist, let us boldly declare God’s righteousness and praise Him for His mighty works, even in the midst of adversity.
Closing Prayer:
Heavenly Father, we thank You for being our refuge and strength, a present help in times of trouble. As we reflect on Psalm 71, may we find renewed confidence in Your steadfast love and faithfulness. Grant us the courage to declare Your righteousness and praise You in all circumstances. In Your holy name, amen.
May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.
John Golda
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