Psalm 71

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 71:5

For thou art my hope, O Lord God - The ground of my hope and my expectation is in thee.(1) I have no other help; no other defense; but(2) I “have” confidence; on thee I “do” rely.Thou art my trust from my youth - From my earliest years. The meaning is, that he had always trusted in God, and had always found him a helper. All that he was, and all that he possessed, he owed to God; and he felt now that God had been his protector from his earliest years. Perhaps it could not be shown certainly... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 71:6

By thee have I been holden up from the womb - From the beginning of my existence. The “idea” in all this is, that, since God had sustained him from his earliest years - since he had shown his power in keeping him, and manifested his care for him, there was ground to pray that God would keep him still, and that he would guard him as old age came on. The sentiment in this verse is substantially the same as in Psalms 22:9-10. See the notes at that passage.My praise shall be continually of thee -... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 71:7

I am as a wonder unto many - The word here rendered “wonder” - מופת môphêth - means properly a miracle, a prodigy; then things that are suited to excite wonder or admiration; then, a sign, a token. See the notes at Isaiah 8:18. The meaning here is, that the course of things in regard to him - the divine dealings toward him - had been such as to excite attention; to strike the mind as something unusual, and out of the common course, in the same way that miracles do. This might be either from... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 71:8

Let my mouth be filled - This is an appeal to himself, in view of the goodness of God, to praise him always. See the notes at Psalms 35:28.With thy praise - With the expressions of praise.And with thy honor all the day - With such expressions as shall promote thy glory, and make thy honor known. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 71:9

Cast me not off in the time of old age - When old age comes with its infirmities; its weaknesses; its trials. When my strength fails me; when my eyes grow dim; when my knees totter; when my friends have died; when I am no longer able to labor for my support; when the buoyant feelings of earlier years are no more; when my old companions and associates are gone, and I am left alone. Thou who didst watch over me in infancy; who didst guard me in childhood and youth; who hast defended me in... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 71:10

For mine enemies speak against me - That is, they said substantially, as it is stated in Psalms 71:11, that God had forsaken him, and that therefore, they would arise and punish him, or treat him as an outcast from God.And they that lay wait for my soul - For my life; or, to take my life. The margin here - as the Hebrew - is, “watch,” or “observe.” The “watchers for my life;” that is, they who watch for an opportunity to take my life, or to destroy me.Take counsel together - About the best... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 71:11

Saying, God hath forsaken him - That is, God has given him over; he no longer protects him; he regards him as a wicked man, and we shall therefore, not only be “safe” in our attempts upon his life, but we shall be “justified” in those attempts.Persecute and take him - It can be done safely now; it can be done with propriety.For there is none to deliver him - He has no one now to whom to look; no one on whom he can rely. Abandoned by God and by man, he will be an easy prey. Compare the notes at... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 71:12

O God, be not far from me - See the notes at Psalms 22:11.O my God, make haste for my help - See the notes at Psalms 40:13. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 71:13

Let them be confounded and consumed - See the notes at the similar passage in Psalms 35:4. The sentiment in this verse is the same; the language is slightly varied. See also Psalms 40:14, where the same sentiment occurs. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 71:14

But I will hope continually - I will always cherish hope; I will not give up to despair. I will trust in God whatever may be the number, the power, and the confidence of my enemies. None of these things shall make me despair, for as long as I have a God, I have every ground for hope. No man should despair who has God for his Friend. Compare Psalms 42:5, Psalms 42:11; Psalms 43:5.And will yet praise thee more and more - literally, “I will add upon all thy praise.” That is, I will accumulate it;... read more

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 71:5

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 71:6

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 71:7

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 71:8

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 71:9

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 71:10

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 71:11

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 71:12

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 71:13

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 71:14

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