Psalm 71:18-20

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 71:1-24

Godly old age. Solomon has said, "The beauty of old men is the grey head" ( Proverbs 20:29 ). But he tells also of a nobler beauty, "The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness" ( Proverbs 16:31 ). Old men are few, but godly old men are fewer still. Rarity signalizes the "beauty," and enhances the "glory." This psalm may well be called, "The Old Man's Psalm." Would that the portrait were more common! It is pleasant to look at in poetry; it is far more... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 71:14-24

Regarding his prayers as heard, and their fulfilment as certain, the psalmist now betakes himself to praise and thanksgiving, He will never cease to hope; he will praise God more and more ( Psalms 71:14 ). He will spend the whole day in telling of God's righteousness and salvation ( Psalms 71:15 ). The mighty acts of the Lord shall form his theme, together with the righteousness of God, and of none other ( Psalms 71:16 ). As God has enabled him to declare his praise in the past ( Psalms... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 71:14-24

Persistent hope and increasing praise. Upon these the psalmist resolves in this second half of the psalm. Let us distinguish the topics of his hope and praise. I. GOD 'S WORKS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS ARE INNUMERABLE . ( Psalms 71:15 .) They cannot be reckoned up. All his works are right, both in nature and towards man. II. GOD 'S WORKS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS ARE MIGHTY WORKS . ( Psalms 71:16 .) "I will come with the mighty deeds of the Lord"—"unto the temple, with... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 71:18

Now also when! am old and greyheaded, O God, forsake me not. Surely, then, thou wilt not forsake me when my youth has fled, and my time of weakness and decay has arrived, so that I need thee all the more. At the time of Adonijah's rebellion, David was "old and stricken in years" ( 1 Kings 1:1 )—nearly, if not quite, seventy years of age ( 2 Samuel 5:4 ). Until I have showed thy strength (literally, thine own ) unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come . The... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 71:19

Thy righteousness also, O God, is very high; or, reaches to the height (comp. Psalms 7:7 ; Psalms 10:5 ; Psalms 18:16 , etc.). Who hast done great things: O God, who is like unto thee! (comp. Psalms 35:10 ; Psalms 89:6 , Psalms 89:8 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 71:20

Thou, which hast showed me great and sore troubles, shalt quicken me again; or, according to another reading, which hast showed us — shalt deliver us. The change of number may be ascribed to the desire of the psalmist to unite his people with himself in the hopes of deliverance which he is expressing. And shalt bring me up again (rather, shalt bring us up again ) from the depths of the earth. 'The "depths of the earth" is a metaphor for the extreme of misery and depression (comp.... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 71:18

Now also when I am old and grey-headed - Margin, “unto old age and grey hairs.” This does not necessarily mean that he was then actually old and grey-headed, but it would imply that he was approaching that period, or that he had it in prospect. The time of youth was past, and he was approaching old age. The literal rendering would be, “And also unto old age and grey hairs, do not forsake me.” This is the prayer of one who had been favored in youth, and in all his former course of life, and who... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 71:19

Thy righteousness also, O God, is very high - See the notes at Psalms 36:5. The purpose of the psalmist is to exalt that righteousness as much as possible, and he, therefore, compares it with that which is high - the heavens - the highest thing of all. The literal rendering would be, “even to the high,” or the height; that is, to the highest place. The passage is designed to express his confidence in God, in the infirmities and troubles which he must expect to come upon him with advancing... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 71:20

Thou, which hast showed me great and sore troubles - Or rather, who hast caused us to see or experience great trials. The psalmist here, by a change from the singular to the plural, connects himself with his friends and followers, meaning that he had suffered with them and through them. It was not merely a personal affliction, but others connected with him had been identified with him, and his personal sorrows had been increased by the trials which had come upon them also. Our severest trials... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 71:18

Psalms 71:18. Now also when I am old, &c., forsake me not Do not abandon the care of me when I need it most: but continue the same kindness to me in my declining years which I experienced when I was a youth. Those that have been taught of God from their youth, and have made it the business of their lives to honour him, may be sure he will not leave them when they are old and gray-headed, will not leave them helpless and comfortless, but will make the evil days of old age their best... read more

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