The Prayer of an Old Man

711 In You, O Lord , I have taken refuge ; Let me never e be ashamed . 2 In Your righteousness deliver me and rescue me; Incline Your ear to me and save me. 3 Be 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 . 4 Rescue me, O my God , out of the hand of the wicked , Out of the grasp of the wrongdoer and ruthless man , 5 For You are my hope ; O Lord GOD , You are my confidence from my youth . 6 By 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. 7 I have become a marvel to many , For You are my strong refuge . 8 My mouth is filled with Your praise And with Your glory all day long. 9 Do not cast me off in the time of old age ; Do not forsake me when my strength fails . 10 For my enemies have spoken against me; And those who watch for my life have consulted together , 11 Saying , " God has forsaken him; Pursue and seize him, for there is no one to deliver ." 12 O God , do not be far from me; O my God , hasten to my help ! 13 Let those who are adversaries of my soul be ashamed and consumed ; Let them be covered with reproach and dishonor , who seek to injure me.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 71:1-13

Commentary on Psalm 71:1-13

(Read Psalm 71:1-13)

David prays that he might never be made ashamed of dependence upon God. With this petition every true believer may come boldly to the throne of grace. The gracious care of Divine providence in our birth and infancy, should engage us to early piety. He that was our Help from our birth, ought to be our Hope from our youth. Let none expect ease or comfort from the world. Those who love the Lord, often are hated and persecuted; men wondered at for their principles and conduct; but the Lord has been their strong refuge. The faithful servants of God may be assured that he will not cast them off in old age, nor forsake them when their strength fails.