Wisdom Books Psalms

God's Help In Old Age

Discover Jesus as: King of Glory Psalms 70-71 Read on Bible Gateway (HCSB)

Day 423 of 730
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Teaching Notes

INTRO

We decided to teach on Psalm 71, which was written by an unnamed old man, rather than Psalm 70, since it was another Davidic psalm. I’m intrigued by Psalm 71. The psalm carries the title “God’s Help in Old Age.” MacArthur explains, “At a time in his life when [the psalmist] thinks he should be exempt from certain kinds of troubles, he once again is personally attacked. Though his enemies conclude that God has abandoned him, the psalmist is confident that God will remain faithful.”1 The psalm has two bookends (vv. 1 and 24) in which the psalmist asked to not be disgraced for trusting in God (Psalm 119:31).

TEACHING

Psalm 71:1-4: Wiersbe describes this section as “the Lord helps me now.”2 The psalmist asked that he never be disgraced but that he would be rescued by the Lord (vv. 1–2). Nelson’s Commentary points out, “The psalmist is concerned not only with his own plight but with the character of God.”3 The psalmist described God as his refuge, rock, and fortress (v. 3). The “rock of refuge” was the place the psalmist could always go to feel safe in God’s presence. No matter what we face, we can ALWAYS go to God as our refuge! The psalmist asked God to “deliver him” from the wicked (Psalm 17:13; 37:40; 144:2). “Deliver him” can be understood as “to cause to escape.”4 Wiersbe suggests the psalmist may have been a retired Levite who was being pressured to worship “idols along with the worship of Jehovah.”5

Psalm 71:5–13: Wiersbe describes this section as “the Lord helped me in the past.”6 In verses 5-6, The psalmist began to review his life, recognizing how God helped him at each stage—during his youth, from birth, and while in his mother’s womb (1 Samuel 7:12). MacArthur says of the phrase “ominous sign” or “wonder” in verse 7, “People [were] amazed at this person’s life, some interpreting his trials as God’s care, and others as God’s punishment.”7 Wiersbe explains, “Sometimes the Lord selected special people to be signs to the nation.”8 (Isaiah 8:18; Zechariah 3:8). The psalmist praised God all day and asked he not be discarded in his old age (vv. 8–9). Nelson’s Commentary states, “The psalmist has trusted in God his entire life; it would be sad if he were dismissed by the Lord late in life.”9 The psalmist stated his enemies say God had already abandoned him and he no longer had protection (vv. 10–12). He begged God to disgrace and destroy his enemies (v. 13).

Psalms 71:14–21: Wiersbe describes this section as “the Lord will help me in the future.”10 The psalmist promised that he would continue to praise God more and more (vv. 14–16). The psalmist again remembered how God had been with him in his youth and begged God not to abandon him in his old age while he still continued to proclaim God’s power to other generations (vv. 17–18). This is the picture of the Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4–9). He told God that His righteousness reaches heaven because of His good things (v. 19). The psalmist acknowledged he had experienced trials, but God would revive him again (v. 20). God would continue to increase his honor and give him comfort (v. 21).

Psalm 71:22–24: Wiersbe describes this section as “the Lord be praised for His help.”11 Therefore, the psalmist would continue to praise the Lord, the Holy One of Israel.

CLOSING

This is a great picture of the Lord doing the work through the whole process. Whether you are 30, 50, or 70, we all have a lot to learn about God and we are never to old to learn.

  1. John MacArthur, John MacArthur Bible Commentary (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2005), p. 644.

  2. Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary: Old Testament (Colorado Springs: David C. Cook, 2004), p. 217.

  3. Earl Radmacher, Ronald B. Allen, and H. Wayne House, eds., Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Commentary (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1999), p. 694.

  4. Nelson’s Commentary, p. 694.

  5. Wiersbe, p. 217.

  6. Wiersbe, p. 218.

  7. MacArthur, p. 644.

  8. Wiersbe, p. 218.

  9. Nelson’s Commentary, p. 694.

  10. Wiersbe, p. 218.

  11. Wiersbe, p. 218.

Questions

  1. David, in these Psalms, repeatedly asked the Lord to deliver/rescue him. Do you believe this represents the Scripture where we are told to continually knock, seek, and ask (Matthew 7:7–8)? Why or why not?
  2. David continually said he put his trust in the Lord. Where does your trust lie? With God, self, or man?
  3. In Psalm 71:20b, David said, “And shall bring me up again from the depths of the earth.” Do you think this could be speaking of when we will rise and meet Him in the sky? (1 Thessalonians 4:14–17)
  4. What did the Holy Spirit highlight to you in Psalms 70—71 through the reading or the teaching?

Next: the Daily Word →

Daily Word

Laura Martin Psalm 71:17–18

“God, You have taught me from my youth, and I still proclaim Your wonderful works. Even when I am old and gray, God, do not abandon me. Then I will proclaim Your power to another generation. Your strength to all who are to come.”

Everyone knows someone younger to whom they can proclaim and bear witness of God’s power to. Think about it for a minute: each generation can offer something to the next because, in reality, everyone is “older” than someone. You are never too old or too young to begin to pour into the generation behind you. There is no excuse.

As the Lord continues giving you hope, take time to proclaim His power to others. Share about the Lord’s mighty acts of faithfulness as you stand upon Him, your firm foundation, rock, and refuge. As you received forgiveness and redemption from the Lord, share the story of God’s amazing grace. There’s no retirement from walking with Jesus. So even when you think no one cares, remember the Lord gave you the responsibility to proclaim His name to another generation. Today, open your eyes and ears to someone you can share God’s love with. Impact another generation even if it means putting on your glasses or turning up your hearing aids! As you walk in obedience, watch God move in your life!

“God, You have taught me from my youth, and I still proclaim Your wonderful works. Even when I am old and gray, God, do not abandon me. Then I will proclaim Your power to another generation. Your strength to all who are to come.”

— Psalm 71:17–18

FURTHER SCRIPTURE

  • Psalm 71:6–8 — “I have leaned on You from birth; You took me from my mother’s womb. My praise is always about You. I have become an ominous sign to many, but You are my strong refuge. My mouth is full of praise and honor to You all day long.”
  • Psalm 119:90 — “Your faithfulness is for all generations; You established the earth, and it stands firm.”
  • 2 Timothy 2:2 — “And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, commit to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”