Psalms 70-71
Dear RTB’ers,
Two psalms today. My Study Bible suggested that Psalm 70 was a lead-in to Psalm 71, since Psalm 71 has no header line. Accordingly, they ascribe both psalms to David. Psalm 70 is only five verses long, but in those five verses David addresses three groups. In verses 2-3 he speaks against his enemies; in verse 4 he rejoices with others who are seeking the God of Israel; then in verse 5 he speaks of his own need. Five verses, three groups addressed. Intriguing.
More than a few of us here in RTB are getting on in our years. Hence I suspect that what jumps out at many of us in Psalm 71 is old age, as mentioned in verses 9 and 18. In both verses the psalmist asks that he not be forsaken; but in verse 18 he goes on to ask the Lord that he may “…proclaim Your might to another generation…” I think that’s a call to us who are advancing in our years – to reach out to the younger people in our congregation, to encourage their faith with our teaching, with the examples that we set, and with our support for their needs, all the while giving God the glory for whatever we do. It is my sense that people are stronger in their faith as they grow older. The rest of you, yes? …no? Your thoughts…?
We see the word “shame” three times in Psalm 71 (vv. 1, 13, 24). In the first the psalmist asks that he never be put to shame, then in the next two verses he asks just the opposite for his enemies, that they be scorned and disgraced. The verses in between those last two “shame” verses are all about the psalmist’s confidence in who God is and his praise for all that He has done, in spite of difficulties that the psalmist has seen in his own life: You who have made me see many troubles and calamities will revive me again; from the depths of the earth You will bring me up again. (v. 20) Old-age reflections – God is faithful through it all. A good reminder for all of us!
Blessings.
See also: