Psalms 71:5

GOD HAS HELPED HIM ALL OF HIS LIFE

It is true of every person who reaches an advanced age that God has been the constant helper all the way, even from the very beginning of life.

"For thou art my hope, O Lord Jehovah:

Thou art my trust from my youth.

By thee have I been holden up from the womb:

Thou art he that took me out of my mother's bowels:

My praise shall be continually of thee.

I am a wonder unto many:

But thou art my strong refuge.

My mouth shall be filled with thy praise,

And with thy honor all the day."

"Thou art my hope" (Psalms 71:5). This is from Psalms 29:7 and Psalms 40:4.

"By thee have I been holden up from the womb" (Psalms 71:6). The same thought exactly is expressed in Psalms 22:9-10.

"I am as a wonder unto many" (Psalms 71:7). The word here rendered "wonder" is also translated "portent." "The general significance of `portent' is `something that clearly shows that God is at work.'"[7]

Certainly, there were many things in the life of David that indicated the special blessing and providence of God. How remarkable is it that a shepherd boy should have become the mighty King of Israel?

Besides that, he killed a lion and a bear under circumstances that strongly suggest the miraculous. Then there was that encounter with the Giant Goliath of Gath.

In one of the most astounding actions of human history, that unarmed shepherd boy slew the mighty champion of the Philistines in full armor! Yes indeed, God was at work in the life of David.

Of course, it is possible that God also did such wonders in the life of some other aged psalmist; but the Scriptures tell us of these wonders.

Some have understood this Psalms 71:7 to speak of remarkable punishments heaped upon the psalmist; and Rawlinson even referred to this interpretation as "Preferable."[8] However, we prefer the other interpretation. This is not to deny that there were also some very remarkable punishments in David's life. Among such was the death of the first child of Bathsheba and the rebellion of David's own son Absalom.