Psalm 71

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 71:17

Thou hast taught me from my youth - I have had thee for my continual instructor: and thou didst begin to teach me thy fear and love from my tenderest infancy. Those are well taught whom God instructs; and when he teaches, there is no delay in learning. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 71:18

Old and grey-headed - In the ninth verse he mentioned the circumstance of old age; here he repeats it, with the addition of hoary-headedness, which, humanly speaking, was calculated to make a deeper impression in his favor. Though all these things are well known to God, and he needs not our information, yet he is pleased to say, "Come now, and let us reason together." And when his children plead and reason with him, they are acting precisely as he has commanded. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 71:19

Thy righteousness - is very high - מרום עד ad marom - is up to the exalted place, reaches up to heaven. The mercy of God fills all space and place. It crowns in the heavens what it governed upon earth. Who hast done great things - גדלות gedoloth . Thou hast worked miracles, and displayed the greatest acts of power. Who is like unto thee! - כמוך מי mi camocha . God is alone, - who can resemble him? He is eternal. He can have none before, and there can be none after; for in... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 71:20

Thou, which hast showed me great and sore troubles - Multiplied straits and difficulties. And thou hast only showed them. Hadst thou permitted them to have fallen upon me with all their own energy and natural consequences, they would have destroyed me. As it was, I was nearly buried under them. Shalt quicken me again - Shalt revive me - put new life in me. This has been applied to the passion of our Lord, and his resurrection; for it is added, Thou: - Shalt bring me up again from... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 71:21

Thou shalt increase my greatness - Thou wilt restore me to my throne and kingdom; and it shall be done in such a way that all shall see it was the hand of God; and I shall have the more honor on the account. Comfort me on every side - I shall have friends in all quarters; and the tribes on all sides will support me. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 71:22

I will also praise thee with the psaltery - נבל בכלי bichli nebel , with the instrument nebel. Unto thee will I sing with the harp; בכנור bechinnor , with the kinnor. Both were stringed instruments, and the principal used in the Jewish worship; and with which, or any thing like them, in Divine worship, we, as Christians, have nothing to do. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 71:23

My lips shall greatly rejoice and my soul - My lips shall use words expressive of my soul's happiness and gratitude. Thou hast redeemed me; and thou shalt have the eternal praise. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 71:24

Talk of thy righteousness - The righteousness of God is frequently used in this Psalm, and in other places, to signify his justice, judgments, faithfulness, truth, mercy, etc. There are few words of more general import in the Bible. They are confounded - The counsel of Ahithophel is confounded, and turned to foolishness, and he was so ashamed that he went and hanged himself. As to the vain and wicked Absalom, he met with the fate that he had meditated against his father. Though not yet... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 71:1

Verse 1 1.In thee, O Jehovah! do I put my trust. It has been thought that the occasion of the composition of this psalm was the conspiracy of Absalom; and the particular reference which David makes to his old age renders this conjecture not improbable. As when we approach God, it is faith alone which opens the way for us, David, in order to obtain what he sought, protests, according to his usual manner, that he does not pour forth at the throne of grace hypocritical prayers, but betakes himself... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 71:4

Verse 4 4.O my God! deliver me from the hand of the wicked man. Here he uses the singular number; but he is not to be understood as indicating one man only. (102) It is highly probable that he comprehends the whole host of the enemies who assaulted him. We have elsewhere had occasion to observe how greatly it contributes to inspire us with the confidence of obtaining our requests, when we are so assured of our own integrity, as to be able freely to complain before God that we are unjustly and... read more

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