The author of this Psalm is not explicitly named, but many of its verses echo themes found in earlier Psalms written by David. However, we cannot definitively attribute it to him, as it may have been composed by someone else who admired and understood David’s words. One clear insight from the Psalm is that the author was experiencing the challenges of old age, both physically and psychologically.
There is a stigma associated with ageing, and many people today are reluctant to acknowledge the signs of getting older. For example, practices like dyeing hair to hide the greys and spending heavily on anti-ageing treatments are widespread in modern times. In ancient cultures, elders were often regarded as blessings to their families, with grey hair symbolising the wisdom gained over a lifetime. What has caused this shift in perception? It is concerning to see, through the words of this Psalm, that even in ancient times this trend existed, leading the author to fear that God might forsake people in old age.
God is Our Refuge
In you, LORD, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame. In your righteousness, rescue me and deliver me; turn your ear to me and save me. Be my rock of refuge, to which I can always go; give the command to save me,
for you are my rock and my fortress. Deliver me, my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the grasp of those who are evil and cruel. – Psalms 71:1-4 (NIV)
The theme of “God as our refuge” is central to many Psalms, but the real question is whether we seek refuge in God continuously or only when we feel it’s necessary. Even in the words of the Psalmist, it’s evident that he is not always dwelling with God, but rather calling upon Him in moments of distress, asking God to be his rock and to listen to his pleas. If we remain with God at all times, we will experience His salvation constantly and won’t feel the need to remind Him of His promises.
Jesus also taught us to pray along these lines, instructing us to ask for deliverance from evil but, even before that, to pray that we do not fall into temptation. Yet, we often seek God only after we have already succumbed to temptation. Taking refuge in God should be a permanent act, recognising the dangers that exist outside His protection. Before Christ came to earth, people frequently turned to God as their refuge. However, after Christ’s death and resurrection, He dwells within our hearts, filling us with the love of God. As Scripture says, when God’s love fills our hearts, we will not be put to shame (Romans 5:5).
God of Hope
For you have been my hope, Sovereign LORD, my confidence since my youth.
From birth I have relied on you; you brought me forth from my mother’s womb.
I will ever praise you. I have become a sign to many; you are my strong refuge.
My mouth is filled with your praise, declaring your splendor all day long. – Psalms 71:5-8 (NIV)
Whether we call Him Yahweh, God, Jesus, or the Holy Spirit, He remains the same, and His actions are consistent. In the New Testament, God is also referred to as the “God of Hope.” Paul shares his personal experience, encouraging others that God brings hope even in the most hopeless situations. As he writes in Romans 15:13: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” The Psalmist recognised God’s presence from the day he was brought out of his mother’s womb, knowing that even as an infant, when he understood nothing, God instilled hope in him from the very beginning.
The Psalmist had once become a well-known figure, and as a result, many envied him. Yet, God protected him from those envious eyes. When God blesses us and makes us known, it is to glorify His name, not for us to seek glory for ourselves. The Psalmist credited all of his protection and success to God, praising Him wholeheartedly and declaring the greatness of the Lord.
God and Our Strength
Do not cast me away when I am old;
do not forsake me when my strength is gone.
For my enemies speak against me;
those who wait to kill me conspire together.
They say, “God has forsaken him;
pursue him and seize him,
for no one will rescue him.”
Do not be far from me, my God;
come quickly, God, to help me. – Psalms 71:9-12 (NIV)
People tend to respect us when we are strong, but once that strength fades—particularly due to old age—many no longer pay attention to an older person’s existence. This is not usually due to any personal animosity, but rather because the world is busy, and people often don’t have time to spend with the elderly. As individuals grow older, they may feel abandoned by society, which leads many to try to slow the ageing process through various means. When an elderly person loses their physical strength, others may assume that God has forsaken them and often seek to take advantage of their possessions, even while they are still alive.
This societal trend led the Psalmist to fear that even God might forsake him as he grew older and less useful in the eyes of the world. This idea stems from people’s reluctance to accept ageing in themselves. For example, grey hair, which is traditionally a sign of wisdom, is something many people hide by dyeing their hair, even though they may consider themselves wise. However, when the Psalmist felt abandoned by God, he pleaded for God not to forsake him and asked Him to come quickly to his aid.
The New Testament offers a different perspective. God tells Paul not to worry about his weakness, as His strength would be sufficient to cover it. This understanding made Paul content with his weakness rather than seeking to become stronger. Furthermore, Paul contrasts the “outer man” and the “inner man,” explaining that while the physical body weakens and withers, the inner self is renewed and strengthened day by day (2 Corinthians 4:16). Therefore, we should not deceive ourselves with the world’s view of ageing but instead give thanks to God, who nurtures our soul even as our body decays.
Restore My Life Again
Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come.
Your righteousness, God, reaches to the heavens, you who have done great things. Who is like you, God? Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up. You will increase my honor and comfort me once more. – Psalms 71:18-21 (NIV)
In the previous verses, the Psalmist asks God to disgrace his accusers. He then praises God, acknowledging that God has taught him to worship and praise Him since childhood. The phrase “do not forsake” here carries a different nuance, as the Psalmist is not simply asking for protection; he is pleading not to die under the weight of accusations or false allegations from his enemies. Yet, our Saviour bore the unbearable weight of false accusations and died on the cross. The Psalmist, on the other hand, asks for more time, expressing his belief that God will restore him and bring comfort in this life. In essence, he resists the idea of final rest and instead seeks an extension of his earthly life.
The reason the Psalmist gives for wanting more time is quite different from that of many people. When individuals feel abandoned by their children, who are often eager to inherit their possessions, they may lose the will to live. But the Psalmist prays for more time on earth so that he can teach his children about God’s power and decrees.
If one does not follow God in their youth, it can become much harder to make a shift in their later years, as old age brings its own challenges, such as illness. At that stage of life, individuals often spend more time caring for themselves, visiting doctors, waiting at hospitals, and worrying about the possibility of serious illnesses. And if they do seek God in their later years, it is often not for spiritual growth, but rather as a way to seek protection from the pain of their ailments.
If we spend our brief lives solely focused on earning wealth, our children will likely follow that example and prioritize money. This is why many children neglect their parents and are primarily interested in their inheritance. Once children are raised with this mindset, it becomes difficult to redirect their focus back to God. Yet, the Psalmist pleads with God to extend his life so that he can fulfil the instructions in Deuteronomy 6:6-9, where parents are called to teach their children God’s commandments. The Psalmist likely also knew why God blessed Abraham (Genesis 18:19), and he prays for more time to teach his children God’s ways, as he feels he has not yet completed that task.
Praising God
I will praise you with the harp for your faithfulness, my God; I will sing praise to you with the lyre, Holy One of Israel. My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to you— I whom you have delivered. My tongue will tell of your righteous acts
all day long, for those who wanted to harm me have been put to shame and confusion. – Psalms 71:22-24 (NIV)
The Psalmist promises to praise God with the harp in gratitude for His faithfulness in answering prayers. Many of us can relate to this, as it is easier to praise God when good things happen. However, Habakkuk declares that even when everything goes wrong, he will still praise God (Habakkuk 3:17-19). Similarly, Daniel’s friends told his king that even if God didn’t rescue him, he would continue to trust and praise Him (Daniel 3:17-18). Paul and Silas didn’t wait for their release from prison to praise God; they worshipped Him wholeheartedly even while imprisoned (Acts 16:25-26).
In the Psalmist’s time, it may have seemed natural to praise God only in response to answered prayers because their relationship with God often revolved around His tangible blessings. But today, we are called to praise God regardless of whether He answers our prayers because we owe Him gratitude for what He has already done in our lives. He has delivered us from eternal death and hell. Remembering His unconditional love, which redeemed us from eternal punishment, should inspire us to give thanks continuously, without waiting for positive things to happen.
Furthermore, we should rejoice when people repent and return to God, rather than celebrating when the wicked fall. If we still find satisfaction in seeing the downfall of others, it reveals that we have not fully received God’s love in our hearts.
Father God, help us to realize that while our physical bodies grow older, our inner selves are being renewed each day. Remove from my heart the false belief that I should worship You only when I receive blessings. Grant me the grace to embrace the process of aging, and strengthen my faith so that it does not waver, even in my final moments.
The Jordan Valley 
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