The Bible — World English Bible
Psalm 71
In brief
Psalm 71 has no title: it is the prayer of a believer who has grown old with God. He has made the Lord his refuge since his youth, he fears losing his strength and being forsaken, while enemies say that God has abandoned him. Yet he decides to hope always and to praise more and more, so that he can tell of God's power to the next generation.
The chapter in 4 parts
1In you, Yahweh, I take refuge. Never let me be disappointed.
2Deliver me in your righteousness, and rescue me. Turn your ear to me, and save me.
3Be to me a rock of refuge to which I may always go. Give the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress.
4Rescue me, my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man.
5For you are my hope, Lord Yahweh, my confidence from my youth.
6I have relied on you from the womb. You are he who took me out of my mother’s womb. I will always praise you.
7I am a marvel to many, but you are my strong refuge.
8My mouth shall be filled with your praise, with your honor all day long.
9Don’t reject me in my old age. Don’t forsake me when my strength fails.
10For my enemies talk about me. Those who watch for my soul conspire together,
11saying, “God has forsaken him. Pursue and take him, for no one will rescue him.”
12God, don’t be far from me. My God, hurry to help me.
13Let my accusers be disappointed and consumed. Let them be covered with disgrace and scorn who want to harm me.
14But I will always hope, and will add to all of your praise.
15My mouth will tell about your righteousness, and of your salvation all day, though I don’t know its full measure.
16I will come with the mighty acts of the Lord Yahweh. I will make mention of your righteousness, even of yours alone.
17God, you have taught me from my youth. Until now, I have declared your wondrous works.
18Yes, even when I am old and gray-haired, God, don’t forsake me, until I have declared your strength to the next generation, your might to everyone who is to come.
19Your righteousness also, God, reaches to the heavens; you have done great things. God, who is like you?
20You, who have shown us many and bitter troubles, you will let me live. You will bring us up again from the depths of the earth.
21Increase my honor and comfort me again.
22I will also praise you with the harp for your faithfulness, my God. I sing praises to you with the lyre, Holy One of Israel.
23My lips shall shout for joy! My soul, which you have redeemed, sings praises to you!
24My tongue will also talk about your righteousness all day long, for they are disappointed, and they are confounded, who want to harm me.
Key verses
Don’t reject me in my old age. Don’t forsake me when my strength fails.
The fear of old age is stated plainly: when strength fades, the believer asks God not to leave him. Prayer is born from weakness.
But I will always hope, and will add to all of your praise.
“I will always hope” does not describe a feeling but a renewed decision, tied to praise that grows over time.
God, you have taught me from my youth. Until now, I have declared your wondrous works. Yes, even when I am old and gray-haired, God, don’t forsake me, until I have declared your strength to the next generation, your might to everyone who is to come.
God has taught the psalmist since his youth. His request for old age has a purpose: to be able to proclaim God's strength to the present generation and the one to come.
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Frequently asked questions about Psalm 71
What does Psalm 71 mean?
Psalm 71 is the prayer of a believer who asks God to remain his refuge as his strength declines. He recalls God's faithfulness since his youth, expresses his fear of being abandoned and promises to keep proclaiming God's righteousness. It speaks to those who are growing old, but also to everyone who feels fragile.
Who wrote Psalm 71?
This psalm has no title naming an author. Tradition has often linked it to David, and it sits just before Psalm 72, attributed to Solomon. The picture of an old man threatened by enemies fits the end of David's life well, but the text does not state it.
How can I pray with Psalm 71?
Pray it slowly, naming to God what makes you fragile: age, tiredness, the opinion of others. Thank him for what he has taught you since your youth. Finish with verse 18, asking for the grace to pass on what you have received, to your children or to the younger people in your church.
Articles quoting Psalm 71
World English Bible translation — public domain.