Beloved, I am glad to share with you today the above theme from Ps 71:1 and following. Indeed, tu es “my confidence from my youth…” says the psalmist (v. 5) and verse 17, “O God! you have taught me from my youth; and so far I have announced your wonders.” Blessed is the believer who enters God’s school very early and learns to trust in Him. “I leaned on you,” he also says (v. 6). The Lord is his strong refuge (v. 7), its residential rock, its strong place (v. 3), phrases we often encounter in Psalms (e.g., Ps 31:1-6). As far as we are concerned, we are generally not exposed to persecution in our countries. But, we can never say it too much, the enemies who “watch” our souls are no less formidable than those in verses 10 and 13. 1 Peter 2:11-12 warns us against “carnal lusts, which wage war on the soul.” When they arise, let us hasten to seek refuge in God, certain to find a whole deliverance in it. However, the Lord is more than a strong place for the redeemed: “You are the continual subject of my praise… My mouth is full of your praise and magnificence, all day long” (verses 6, 8, 14, 22, 23). Only Jesus could affirm this (compare verses 6, 11 and 12 with Ps 22:8-22 respectively). But let it be given to us, believing friends, to realize it somewhat!
It’s David unquestionably speaking in this psalm: The Spirit of Christ too, associating himself with the residue, of which David, in his suffering and repentance, is such a striking type. The affliction David encountered from Absalom was that of his “old age,” or his “white hair.” Likewise, spiritually the residue will experience affliction in the time of Israel’s old age (v. 18; Es. 46:4). Deliverance from the tomb or pit, or from the depths of the earth (v. 20), expresses the forgiveness of sins, just as Christ’s resurrection was the pledge of this grace (Isaiah 38:17). But what is most striking about this psalm is David’s desire that God and his righteousness be manifested in him. He was already a prodigy, but he wanted to be more and more so. Until now his story had been the manifestation of a wonderful grace. He had been taken from the sheep parks to be anointed king over Israel, protected from Saul’s cruel hostility, brought to a glorious position after being fortified for victory: such had been the luminous ways of grace towards him. But now his restoration, after his sin and infidelity, would make him an even greater prodigy: a monument of the reign of triumphant grace.
David’s soul is attached to this thought in this psalm. He is not busy confessing his sin, of which what he suffered at the hands of Absalom was indirectly the consequence, but he prides himself at the thought of being an example of the grace that abounds. His only desire is to be established to repeat “unceasingly” the praise of God – to mention the justice of God, of this justice “alone”. What a blessing attaches to this rich experience! that of a poor sinner who, in the feeling of divine grace, does not make confession but exults at the thought that in himself the overabundance of God’s goodness is made admirable. This is what we see in Paul. David knows how to confess his sin, without reservation, when it is proper, and he knows how to bow his head under the deserved punishment (Ps. 51). But here, what occupies his heart is not the confession of his sin, but the abundant grace of God that covers him; and in the desire that this grace be exalted forever, he seeks and anticipates his deliverance from the present distress, and the multiplication of his greatness (v. 21). Thus, his story could manifest more vividly than ever the justice and praise of God.
Let us repeat that the history of Israel bears a remarkable resemblance to that of David: – his election, though he was the least in his father’s house – protection from his enemy – inheritance and power – then sin and the loss of everything, at the same time as exile beyond the Jordan – and recovery and rest. These are God’s identical ways toward Israel and toward David; so that both can proclaim the wonders of God and repeat his righteousness all day long. As a result, the faithful of the residue, in their day, may well find encouragement in the history of their beloved king in the days of old; he is thus presented to them (as Saul of Tarsus) as an example of all God’s patience (1 Tim 1:15-16).
The following verses have been compiled for your edification and grouped together for your better understanding.
Don’t reject me in old age:
- Without shame, the righteous will be
Ps 119:6 Then I will not blush, in view of all your commandments. Isaiah 50:7 But the Lord, the Lord, rescued me; That is why I have not been dishonored, That is why I have made my face like a pebble, knowing that I would not be confused. Rom 9:33 as it is written: Behold, I put in Zion a stumbling block And a rock of scandal, And he who believes in him will not be confused. Phil 1:20 according to my firm expectation and hope that I will not be ashamed of anything, but that now as always Christ will be glorified in my body with full assurance, either by my life or by my death;
- Divine liberator, God as
1 Sam 17:37 David says again: The Lord, who delivered me from the claw of the lion and the paw of the bear, will also deliver me from the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said to David: Go, and let the Lord be with you! 2 Sam 22:2 He says: The Lord is my rock, my fortress, my liberator. 2 Cor 1:10 It is He who has delivered us and who will deliver us from such death, He from whom we hope he will deliver us again, Hb 2:15 and deliver all those who, for fear of death, were all their lives held in bondage.
- Continuous praise
Ps 35:28 And my tongue will celebrate your righteousness, She will say your praise every day. Ps 71:6 From the womb of my mother I lean on you; It was you who brought me out of the womb; you are constantly the object of my praise. Rev 4:8 The four living things each have six wings, and they are filled with eyes all around and within. They never cease to say day and night: Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the All-Powerful, who was, who is, and who comes! Rev 5:13 And all the creatures that are in heaven, on earth, under the earth, on the sea, and all that is there, I heard them saying, “To him who sits on the throne, and to the lamb, be praise, honor, glory, and strength, in the ages of ages!
- Spiritual conversation, general references
-Used in daily life Dt 6:7 You will instill them in your children, and you will talk about them when you are in your house, when you go on a trip, when you go to bed and when you get up.
-Concern the things of God Ps 145:11 They will say the glory of your kingdom, And they will proclaim your power,
The habit of the saints Ml 3:16 Then those who fear jehovah spoke to each other; The Lord was attentive, and he listened; And a book of remembrance was written before him for those who fear the Lord and honor his name.
Christ, the theme of Luke 24:13-14 And behold, on that same day, two disciples were going to a village called Emmaus, sixty stadia from Jerusalem; 14 and they were talking about everything that had happened.
-Led to spiritual fervor Luke 24:32 And they said to each other: Wasn’t our hearts burning within us when He spoke to us on the way and explained the Scriptures to us?
-The spiritual thoughts expressed in the music Eph 5:19 sustain yourselves through psalms, hymns, and spiritual hymns, singing and celebrating with all your heart the praises of the Lord;
From all the above, we note that Ps. 71, composed as well as several other Psalms in this book, during David’s flight during the Absalom revolt, presents the summary of all of God’s ways toward Israel since the beginning of its history; it celebrates the faithful care of this God of goodness and compassion and asks him for a moment not to abandon his people now. I have no doubt that Christ enters here, as always, in spirit in all these feelings (v. 11), but the expression we find here cannot apply to Christ personally. For atthe end of his life he experienced exactly similar trials in truth, only they were deeper, and had not been brought upon him by any fault; here the expressions of our Psalm apply to the ancient times of the history of the people, which the faithful grace of the Holy One of Israel will bring back as deep places of the earth. It’s likely that this psalm was written by David when he was fleeing before his son Absalom. Already old (Ps 71:1-16), the man of God is once again going through “many bitter distresses” (verse 20). He addresses the Lord: “Until old age and white hair, O God! do not abandon me…” Isaiah 46:3-4 provides a divine answer to this prayer: “Until your old age, I am the Same, and up to the white hair, I will carry you…” No, God has not forsaken His servant and He will never abandon those whose souls He has redeemed (verse 23; Ps 37:25-26), precisely because He forsashed His Son on the cross to fulfill this redemption. If He is the God of our youth – and we desire this to be the case for all of you, young reading friends – let’s trust Him, He will be the One of our whole lives. See how many times the author of the psalm recalls and celebrates God’s righteousness (verses 2, 15, 16, 19, 24). Living in a world where injustice reigns (and which has not changed since), he measures by contrast the price of this justice of God. It will triumph on earth when it is given to the glorious King of whom Ps 72:1 speaks to us). Our prayers are with you all.
PRAYER OF ACCEPTANCE OF JESUS CHRIST AS LORD AND PERSONAL SAVIOR
I now invite every person who wants to become a new creation by walking in the truth, to pray with me the following prayer:
Lord Jesus, I have long walked in the lusts of the world ignoring your love for humans. I admit to having sinned against you and ask your forgiveness for all my sins, because today I have decided to give you my life by taking you as Lord and personal Savior. I recognize that you died on the cross of Calvary and rose from the dead for me.
I am now saved and born again by the power of the Holy Spirit. Lead me every day to the eternal life that you give to all who obey your Word. Reveal yourself to me and strengthen my heart and faith, so that your light may shine in my life right now.
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for accepting me into your divine family, so that I may also contemplate the wonders of your kingdom.
I will now choose a nearby waterpoint to baptize myself by immersion, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
All adoration, power and glory are yours, now and forever and ever. Amen!
I would be happy to react to any questions and comments you may have, before sharing with you tomorrow ” thefaithful call upon God’s grace, ask for his way and demand his deliverance.”
May the Lord Jesus Christ bless you abundantly.
David Feze, Servant of the Almighty God.