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