Psalms 71

God’s Help in Old Age

1 Lord, I seek refuge in you;

let me never be disgraced.  * 71:1 Ps 25:20

2 In your justice, rescue and deliver me;

listen closely to me and save me.  * 71:2 Ps 17:6

3 Be a rock of refuge for me,

where I can always go.

Give the command to save me,

for you are my rock and fortress.  * 71:1–3 Ps 31:1–3

4 Deliver me, my God, from the power of the wicked,

from the grasp of the unjust and oppressive.  * 71:4 Ps 140:1,4

5 For you are my hope, Lord God,

my confidence from my youth.  * 71:5 Ps 39:7; Jr 17:13

6 I have leaned on you from birth;

you took me from my mother’s womb.  * 71:6 Ps 22:9–10

My praise is always about you.  * 71:6 Ps 34:1

7 I am like a miraculous sign to many,

and you are my strong refuge.  * 71:7 Ps 61:3; 62:7; 91:2,9

8 My mouth is full of praise

and honor to you all day long.  * 71:8 Ps 35:28; 63:5

9 Don’t discard me in my old age.

As my strength fails, do not abandon me.  * 71:9 Ps 27:9; 71:18; Is 46:3–4

10 For my enemies talk about me,

and those who spy on me plot together,  * 71:10 Ps 31:13; 56:6; 83:3

11 saying, "God has abandoned him;

chase him and catch him,

for there is no one to rescue him."  * 71:11 Ps 3:2

12 God, do not be far from me;

my God, hurry to help me.  * 71:12 Ps 22:19; 38:21–22; 40:13

13 May my adversaries be disgraced and destroyed;

may those who intend to harm me

be covered with disgrace and humiliation.  * 71:13 Ps 71:24

14 But I will hope continually

and will praise you more and more.  * 71:14 Ps 84:4; 130:7; 147:11

15 My mouth will tell about your righteousness

and your salvation all day long,

though I cannot sum them up.  * 71:15 Ps 35:28; 40:5; 96:2

16 I come because of the mighty acts of the Lord  God;

I will proclaim your righteousness, yours alone.  * 71:16 Ps 51:14; 106:2

17 God, you have taught me from my youth,

and I still proclaim your wondrous works.  * 71:17 Dt 4:5; 6:7

18 Even while I am old and gray,

God, do not abandon me,  * 71:18 Is 46:4

while I proclaim your power

to another generation,

your strength to all who are to come.  * 71:18 Ps 22:30–31; 78:4,6

19 Your righteousness reaches the heights, God,

you who have done great things;

God, who is like you?  * 71:19 Ex 15:11; Dt 3:24; Ps 86:8

20 You caused me to experience

many troubles and misfortunes,  * 71:20 Ps 60:3

but you will revive me again.  * 71:20 Ps 85:6

You will bring me up again,

even from the depths of the earth.  * 71:20 Hs 6:1–2

21 You will increase my honor

and comfort me once again.  * 71:21 Ps 86:17; Is 12:1; 49:13

22 Therefore, I will praise you with a harp

for your faithfulness, my God;

I will sing to you with a lyre,

Holy One of Israel.  * 71:22 Ps 33:2; 81:2; 92:1–3

23 My lips will shout for joy

when I sing praise to you

because you have redeemed me.  * 71:23 Ps 34:22; 55:18

24 Therefore, my tongue will proclaim

your righteousness all day long,

for those who intend to harm me

will be disgraced and confounded.  * 71:24 Ps 35:28; 71:13