Canon Rob's Reflections

In these Reflections over the years, we have come across several psalms which speak of the God who provides safety and refuge, often like a female bird who protects her young under her wings. The first verse of today’s psalm begins with this same theme: “In you, O Lord, do I seek refuge; let me never be put to shame.” Yet, reading through Psalm 71, you will see that this theme is approached from a different perspective suggesting it was written by someone who is elderly. In verse 9 we read, “Do not cast me away in time of old age; forsake me not when my strength fails.” In the Good News Bible, verse 18 begins with the words: “Now that I am old and my hair is grey, do not abandon me, O God.” and the title given is, “An Old Man’s Prayer.” We do not know who the author of Psalm 71 was. Some commentators suggest it was David, others Jeremiah. However, what is more important is the thinking and meaning behind the words. Whoever the author was, he has clearly reached old age and has had many experiences during his lifetime. Looking back over the years, he knows that God had looked after him. Now, he prays that God will continue to do so.


The psalmist may be losing his strength and vigour with the passing of the years, but he has certainly not lost his faith. Just as when he was young, he prays, in verse 3, that the Lord will, “Be for me a stronghold to which I may ever resort; send out to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress.” Then in verse 5, that same trust is expressed: “For you are my hope, O Lord God, my confidence, even from my youth.” His faith was nurtured before he reached that stage in his life though. Verse 6 reveals he has always believed in God, long before he understood what that meant: “Upon you have I leaned from my birth, when you drew me from my mother’s womb; my praise shall always be of you.” Has his mother encouraged him through his childhood? The Book of Proverbs addresses this: “Train children in the right way, and when old, they will not stray.” [Proverbs 22.6.] As you reflect on this verse, alongside today’s psalm, consider the influence that those involved in your upbringing, especially when you were young, have had on your faith today?


Many things have changed for the psalmist over the years, but some things have not. In verses 10 and 11 it is clear that he still has many enemies and those who mock him for his faith. “For my enemies are talking against me…” and, “They say, ‘God has forsaken him; pursue him and take him,..’” His anger against them also remains as strong as it ever was. “Let those who are against me be put to shame and disgrace…” [Verse 13.] Whatever these enemies say he will never turn his back on God, who has cared for him throughout his long life. Verses 14 – 17 show that he will never give up hope, will always trust God whatever happens and share his faith with others. As he says in verse 17: “O God, you have taught me since I was young, and to this day I tell of your wonderful works.” He will do this because he knows how good God is. “Your righteousness, O God, reaches to the heavens; in the great things you have done, who is like you, O God?”
[Verse 19.] Even though he has faced many hardships through the years [see verse 20] he will never give up on his faith. In the final three verses we find the author of the psalm is a singer and musician and will continue to help in leading worship in the Temple in Jerusalem.“I will praise you upon the harp for your faithfulness, O my God; I will sing to you with the lyre, O Holy One of Israel. My lips will sing out as I play to you, and so will my soul, which you have redeemed.” [Verses 22 and 23.] His reasoning behind this is clear. Not only is using his musical talent an expression of his love for God, but it is a way of bringing shame upon those who mock him. “My tongue also will tell of your righteousness…for they shall be shamed and disgraced…” [Verse 24.] He has been brought up in the true faith and he is determined to pass this on to the next generation.