Psalms 71This individual lament psalm expresses the faith of an older person in need who had trusted in God for many years. The writer is unknown to us. He combined elements that we find in several other psalms to communicate his thoughts (cf. Psalms 22; Psalms 31; Psalms 35; Psalms 40). read more
3. A new commitment to continued trust 71:14-24 read more
In anticipation of God’s help, the writer promised to praise Him with stringed instruments, as well as vocally. The title "Holy One of Israel" (Psalms 71:22) is common in Isaiah but rare in the Psalms, occurring only three times (cf. Psalms 78:41; Psalms 89:18). In conclusion, the psalmist spoke of his accusers’ humiliation as already present, even though that is what he was requesting. This is probably another instance of expressing confidence that something would happen by describing it as... read more
This Ps. of prayer (Psalms 71:1-13) and praise (Psalms 71:14-24) was apparently written by an old man (Psalms 71:9, Psalms 71:18) and in the time of the exile. Some parts of it are undoubtedly national, but much of it expresses personal experience and desire and faith. It is largely made up of extracts from other Pss., yet it has a unity and a beauty of its own.1-3. Practically taken from Psalms 31:1-3. 5, 6. See Psalms 22:9, Psalms 22:10. 7. As a wonder unto many] a striking example of God’s... read more
(22) With the psaltery.—See Psalms 57:8, Note. read more
(23) My lips shall . . .—Rather, my lips shall sing while I play to thee, i.e., a hymn should accompany the harp. There is, therefore, no thought of the union of the bodily and spiritual powers in praise of God, though it is natural the verse should have suggested such an interpretation to the Fathers; and indeed the thought of the poet, if we read the whole psalm, with its retrospect of life, is a wish—“That mind and soul according well,May make one music as before,But vaster.” read more
Psalms 71:16 This is one of the longest texts in the Bible. In its application it covers an indefinite period of time. The way to write this text is to put a few asterisks after the first three words, 'I will go'. Asterisks, as you know, are used in books to signify a lapse of time. They denote that there is a space of time days, or it may be years between the story that comes before them and the story that follows them. So, I say, we need asterisks in this text. There is sometimes a long... read more
Psalms 71:1-24ECHOES of former psalms make the staple of this one, and even those parts of it which are not quotations have little individuality. The themes are familiar, and the expression of them is scarcely less so. There is no well-defined strophical structure, and little continuity of thought or feeling. Psalms 71:13 and Psalms 71:24 b serve as a kind of partial refrain, and may be taken as dividing the psalm into two parts, but there is little difference between the contents of the two.... read more
Psalms 71:0 Israel’s Song of Hope 1. Declaration of trust (Psalms 71:1-11 ) 2. Anticipations of faith (Psalms 71:12-18 ) 3. Revival and victory (Psalms 71:19-24 ) This Psalm, which bears no inscription whatever, gives another prophetic picture of the faith and the anticipations of faith as found in the godly of Israel, when the salvation is about to come out of Zion. They look to Him who is all sufficient to deliver and to save them. The Psalm may well be called Israel’s song of hope. It... read more
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Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Psalms 71:22
22-24. To the occasion of praise he now adds the promise to render it. will . . . praise—literally, "will thank." even thy truth—as to Thy truth or faithfulness. read more