Jeffrey Johnson Supporter

How does Psalm 71 encourage someone who's getting older and still facing hard things?

Psalm 71 Outline:

The confidence of the old ones
Trusting in God since youth (5)
"When my strength fails" (9)
'God has taught me from youth' (17)

This Psalm appears to be a continuation of Psalm 70, which bears the superscription "Of David." So David likely made the request we read in Psalm 71:9. He served God from his youth to his advanced years, and God used him in mighty ways. (1 Sam. 17:33-37, 50; 1 Ki. 2:1-3, 10) Even so, David felt the need to ask God to continue to show him favour.—Read Psalm 71:17, 18.

Many today are like David. Despite advancing years and "days of distress," they continue to praise God to the best of their ability. The psalmist prayed: "Do not cast me off in the time of old age, when my vigour faileth, do not forsake me." Psalm 71:9, Rotherham Bible. God does not 'throw away' his faithful servants, even when they themselves may feel that they have outlived their time of usefulness.

Psalm 71 is a lesson for us: 

The psalmist prayed: "Thou who hast let us see many distresses and misfortunes wilt again bring us to life, and out of the resounding depths of the earth wilt again raise us up; 21 Thou wilt increase my greatness and on every side wilt comfort me. Psalm 71:20-21, Rotherham Bible. Although God does not cause such hardships, he allows us to be tested and to furnish a reply to His taunter, the devil. (James 1:13; Proverbs 27:11) And God never lets us be tempted beyond what we can bear, and He can help us to come through our trials with strong faith. 

"Trial hath not taken you save such as man can bear; Faithful moreover is God who will not suffer you to be tried above what ye are able, but will make with the trial also the way of escape that ye may be able to hold out."1 Corinthians 10:13; Rotherham Bible.

Psalm 71 affirms the value of older adults and their experiences, portraying the senior years as a time to continue trusting in God and to offer purposeful testimony to future generations. 

Psalm 71 confirm the truth of the struggles and of ageing while firmly anchoring hope in God's proven, continuous presence and power - and King David, through this Psalm and others that he wrote, proved that God was with him through his struggles and ageing.

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Jack Gutknecht Supporter Arizona Bible College graduate and Dallas Seminary graduate

"The psalm is anonymous, written by a believer who had enemies and needed the Lord’s help and protection (Ps 71:4, 10, 13, 24). He was probably past middle age and was greatly concerned about the burdens of old age (Ps 71:9, 18). He wanted to end well." --Warren Wiersbe

Psalm 71 encourages someone who’s getting older because the psalmist shows that God has been a steady help and hope at every stage of life. He leans on God as his defense in the present (Psalm 71:1-4, 7) and trusts God to deal with those who oppose him (Psalm 71:12-13). He remembers that God has been his hope since infancy (Psalm 71:6), through childhood (Psalm 71:5, 17), and now in old age (Psalm 71:9, 14, 18). 

"Even in my old age

Even when my hair is gray, O God

Do not forsake me

Even in my old age

Even when my strength is gone, O God

Do not forsake me

O God, do not forsake me

O God, do not forsake" 

--"Even in My Old Age (Psalm 71)"

Song by Aaron Shust ‧ 2023

That lifelong pattern gives him confidence to keep going. And instead of giving in to fear, he fills his mouth with praise for God’s righteousness and faithfulness (Psalm 71:8, 15-16, 19, 22-24), [I love Psalm 71:16 -- 

"I will go in the strength of the Lord God: I will make mention of thy righteousness, even of thine only." 

What is the psalmist praising God for? His righteous acts! See also Ps 71:19, 22-24. He is lifting his voice and even his music to the Lord (Psalm 71:22–23). How does he do this? He praises God with his voice and his harp and lyre. It’s a reminder that God’s faithfulness doesn’t fade, and we can keep trusting and praising Him no matter how hard the later years become (aches, pains, etc.).

I took a class on Psalms in seminary. Sources: Warren Wiersbe, Harold Wilminton, chatgpt, and classic.net.bible.org (https://classic.net.bible.org/bible.php?book=Psa&chapter=71&tab=hymns)

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