(Psalm 71)
This Psalm is anonymous, and is, therefore, attributed to some writer other than David. But, I am satisfied with the opinion of Calvin and the older expositors, that it is from David's pen, and is the plaintive song of his old age. It shows us the soul of the aged saint, darkened by the remembrance of his great transgression, and by the swarms of sorrows with which that sin filled his later years. But he find comfort in reverting to the happy days of his childhood, and especially to the irrevocable trust which he was then enabled to repose in God. Like Paul, David takes a retrospect of the Lord's dealings with him from the beginning; and, in effect, declares with the dying apostle, "I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and may persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day." But there is this notable difference between the two that while Paul gathered confirmation of his faith from the experience of a thirty years walk with the Lord, David's experience stretched over more than twice so many years; for it began with his childhood.
Verse 1. "In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust; let me never be put to confusion." The great foundation on which David builds his "trust" in God is expressed in verse 3 – "Thou hast given commandment to save me." Once he remembers that his salvation in all things is the Lord's "commanded" purpose for him, then, he has every confidence to come before the Lord in prayer. It is exactly the sentiment that underlay all the prayers of a saint of the past who said that all his daily routines were sanctified to him when he remembered the one great fact of his life – "My God, My God, I am nothing; but I am Thine."
Verse 3. "Be thou my strong habitation, whereunto I may continually resort … " There is a way to our "strong habitation", and we know the way. There is a door, and we have the key. No sentinel keeps us back; the dwelling is our own, and who dares to forbid us all its accommodations and contents? Kings, no matter how willing, cannot always be approachable. But the King of Kings allows us to come boldly to the throne of grace, and enjoins us in everything, by prayer and supplication, to make our requests unto Him.
Verse 5. "For thou art my hope, O Lord God; thou art my trust from my youth." The remembering and acknowledging of God in youth will be great satisfaction in old age. David could confidently plead with God for deliverance out of the hand of the wicked, "For," saith he, "… thou art my trust from my youth up." When the proconsul bade Polycarp deny Christ and swear by the Emperor, he answered, "Eighty and six years have I served Him, and He hath never wronged me yet; and how can I deny my God and my Saviour?" Jacob could say, "God hath fed me all my life long unto this day … and shall I now turn my back on Him?" Where shall we go to find ourselves another master? "Thou only hast the words of eternal life." He that has been the stay of my youth, shall be the staff of my age. I may venture my soul upon His promise, for He hath maintained me by His providence."
Verse 6. "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." He did not, like other men, recognise the hand of God only when it became manifest in his life in an extraordinary manner; but his eye of faith regards the ordinary works of God as miracles. The translation from his mothers womb to the light of day is to him an object of praise. And, really, is not that preservation of the embryo, in its narrow confines, a miracle? Is not the reason for our finding so little to praise, to be sought in our having no eyes for His daily miracles? The psalmist has eyes for the daily miracles of the Lord; and therefore, his mouth is full of the daily praises of the Lord.
Verse 9. "Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength faileth." David, mindful of the noble actions which through God's assistance, he had achieved in his youth, beseeches Him not to desert His servant, when persecuted by the rebellious son in his old age. The weakness and temptations peculiar to that time of life, render that petition necessary for all to make, before we are overtaken by it. The Church findeth but too much occasion to make the same plea, now that she is sunk in years. Faith languishes, charity waxeth cold, and the infirmities of a spiritual old age could come upon her fast.
Verse 9. "… in the time of old age …" When John Newton reached and passed, his eighteenth year, he would often complain about his failures in memory; "Yet," said he, "Two things I do remember: I am a great sinner, and Christ is a great Saviour."