Psalm 71:6-13

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 71:1-13

Two things in general David here prays for?that he might not be confounded and that his enemies and persecutors might be confounded. I. He prays that he might never be made ashamed of his dependence upon God nor disappointed in his believing expectations from him. With this petition every true believer may come boldly to the throne of grace; for God will never disappoint the hope that is of his own raising. Now observe here, 1. How David professes his confidence in God, and with what pleasure... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 71:6

By thee have I been holden up from the womb ,.... Supported in being, upheld in life, and sustained with food and raiment, and followed with the mercies and blessings of life from thence to this present moment; which the psalmist takes notice of, as he does of what goes before and follows after, to encourage his faith and hope in God as to present deliverance; thou art he that took me out of my mother's bowels ; See Gill on Psalm 22:9 ; the Syriac version is, "thou art my hope from my... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 71:7

I am as a wonder unto many ,.... To the multitude, to the populace, or "to the great" F21 לרבים "multis vel magnis", Piscator; so Ainsworth. and mighty; and indeed to both: which respects not his wonderful preservation from the womb, he had before observed; nor his being in a wonderful manner raised to the throne of Israel; nor the wonderful things and amazing exploits done by him, and victories he obtained; nor the wonderful instances of divine grace and goodness to him; but rather... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 71:8

Let my mouth be filled with thy praise ,.... Or "thy praise shall fill my mouth" F24 ימלא פי תהלתך ; which shows that his heart was affected with the goodness of God to him, and that he had a deep impression and sense of it upon him; for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks; and for the mouth to be filled with the praise of God, is to speak largely, publicly, and with great delight, in the praise of God, his divine perfections and benefits; and with thy... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 71:9

Cast me not off in the time of old age ,.... The Lord never casts off nor casts away his people, whom he foreknew; they are near unto him; they are on his heart, and are engraven on the palms of his hands; and they shall never be removed from his heart's love, nor out of his arms, nor out of his covenant, and shall always be the objects of his care: he bears and carries them to old age, and even to hoary hairs: the Lord had been the guide of David's youth, and his trust then, Psalm 71:5 ;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 71:10

For mine enemies speak against, me ,.... Or "say unto me" F25 אמרו לי "dixerunt mihi", Montanus. what is expressed in the following verse, "God hath forsaken him"; and so these words are a reason of the above petitions: or "mine enemies speak to me"; or "of me" F26 "De me loquuti sunt, vel loquuntur", Tigurine version, Junius & Tremellius, Gejerus, Michaelis. ; not good, but evil, and so the Targum paraphrases it, "for mine enemies speak evil against me;' or... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 71:11

Saying, God hath forsaken him ,.... Good men may seem to others to be forsaken of God; and they themselves may sometimes think they are; and they may be forsaken for a small moment, when God withdraws his gracious presence, or does not afford immediate help; but never finally and totally. This David's enemies concluded, from the distressed condition he was in, being obliged to leave his family and court, and flee from his son, and wander up and down with a small retinue; and this they said... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 71:12

O God, be not far from me ,.... God is everywhere, at hand and afar off, with regard to his being, power, and providence; his glorious presence is in heaven, his gracious presence is with his people; but, when he hides his face, he seems to be at a distance; and this they cannot bear, and therefore deprecate it; see Psalm 10:1 ; O my God, make haste for my help ; he knew that his help was in God, and that there was none for him elsewhere; and that he could help him when none else... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 71:13

Let them be confounded ,.... See Psalm 70:2 ; and consumed ; like smoke; see Psalm 37:20 ; as antichrist will be with the breath of Christ's mouth, and the brightness of his coming, 2 Thessalonians 2:8 ; that are adversaries to my soul ; that hated him with a diabolical hatred, as the devil hates the souls of men, and who has his name "Satan" from the word here used; all wicked men are Satans, full of enmity against God, and all good men; and such were David's enemies,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 71:7

I am as a wonder unto many - I am כמופת kemopheth "as a portent," or "type:" I am a typical person; and many of the things that happen to me are to be considered in reference to him of whom I am a type. But he may mean I am a continual prodigy. My low estate, my slaying the lion and the bear, conquering the Philistine, escaping the fury of Saul, and being raised to the throne of Israel, are all so many wonders of thy providence, and effects of thy power and grace. read more

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