Psalm 71 introduces us to a godly man who is now old and suffering – both physically and emotionally. In this delicate and touching prayer, the man describes the state of his social affairs and his relationship with God. His faith has seen him through trying times and he resolves to not give up, especially in the twilight years of his life. The lesson for us, especially new converts and young people, is that faith can keep us through thick and thin and that it does not have to be lost. Those who go astray in this realm do so because they choose that path. The reward of a carnal life is found in this world only – just as the reward of a spiritual life can often not be seen until the judgment.

His Rock and Fortress

“In Thee, O Lord, I have taken refuge; let me never be ashamed. In Thy righteousness deliver me, and rescue me; in cline Thine ear to me and save me. Be Thou my rock and habitation, to which I may continually come; Thou hast given commandment to save me, for Thou art my rock and fortress” (Psalm 71:1-3). From what can be seen in the text, the writer is an older man (71:9) and has been trusting in God since his youth (71:5), yet even with all his years of wisdom and experience he still needs God. He desperately longs for the deliverance of the Lord from all his trials, in spite of the fact that one would assume his age would lend itself to a greater degree of self-reliance. Instead of becoming stubborn in his old age, he has actually become more trusting, more dependent, and more reliant on God for care.

Contrary to what most of us would want from our “Golden Years” the writer has seen enormous troubles. When we think of retirement, old age, etc. we generally associate that period in our lives with leisure, comfort, and worry-free living. We learn, however, that old age does come with its own problems, and the author now needs God’s protection perhaps more than ever. Even decades after his first acts of faith, he desires to “continually come before God” (71:3) as his fortress, or habitation. Personal history has shown him that God can be depended on!

Friend From Youth

“For Thou art my hope; O Lord God, Thou art my confidence from my youth. By Thee I have been sustained from my birth; Thou art He who took me from my mother’s womb; my praise is continually of Thee” (Psalm 71:5-6). We learn from these verses that his cry for deliverance has been based upon the character of God and His continual dealings with Him. We learn some great lessons here:

  • Notice the source of the psalmist’s hope – it was not in things of this world, such as money, the prospect of a new job, the search for a mate, or the success of an endeavor. He hopes in God and salvation, not in more superficial things. It is somewhat of a paradox that hope is based on things unseen and not on things physically concrete. “For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one also hope for what he sees? If we have hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it” (Romans 8:24-25). The same is true for us. As youths we may say things like “I hope we win tonight” or “I hope I pass this test.” But what does hope actually mean to you? From his youth (the point in time furthest from consummation of hope), the psalmist hoped in God.
  • The source of his confidence was also God. He did not have confidence in what we normally associate with youth: strength (Proverbs 20:29), good looks (Proverbs 31:30, 1 Samuel 16:7), or energy. He named God his greatest asset and put everything on Him, being fully assured of the Lord’s goodness.
  • His sustenance was from God, not anything carnal. Not to say physical food is unnecessary, but young people often are emotionally and spiritually sustained by anything but religious experiences. Most young people do not pray as they ought to, sing with much fervency, or study the Bible eagerly. Rather, they are sustained by relationships with their peers, television, video games, sports, or, in worse situations, drugs, sex, pornography, and the insatiable need to fit in.

A Marvel

“I have become a marvel to many; for Thou art my strong refuge” (Psalm 71:7). The word “marvel” can be taken a couple different ways in this verse, and both interpretations teach us a valuable lesson. First, the poet could be saying that his godly life had become a joke to people. Having tried to live faithfully for decades, it may seem amusing to sinners that he still had trials and tribulations to deal with. His peers may be saying behind his back, “Has anybody suffered as much as this man? And look how his religious convictions turned out for him!” It marvels worldly people that we would still believe in God after enduring cancer, losing a job, or witnessing the starvation of children in destitute places. Yet faithfulness demands that we never give in. There will be miserable times in our journey – even great tribulation for the believer. Hebrews 11:35-38 states that early Christians “were mocked and scourged, yes, also enduring chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword… men of whom the world was not worthy.” We are also told in 1 Peter 4:12, “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you…”

In another sense the word “marvel” might be taken to mean that the writer’s example had produced righteous excitement in others. Perhaps his companions marveled that this aged man had made it through all of his troubles with his faith intact. It is perhaps very true that the life of a faithful Christian does the same thing to unbelievers. Our neighbors or unbelieving acquaintances may “marvel” at our optimism, strength, courage, and endurance in the face of terrible things. They may marvel at the number of quality relationships we have, the happiness in our families, and the healthiness of our spirits.

Lessons About Old Age

Weakness and Loss of Former Strength

“Do not cast me off in the time of old age; do not forsake me when my strength fails” (Psalm 71:9). To the young people here, old age seems distant. We tend to be less than concerned about getting older – a problem that causes the downfall of many youths. Having a proper perspective on the frailty of the physical body and its tendency toward decay will keep our spirits in check when we feel the boldness and arrogance that tends to accompany youth and virility. How we live as young people sets us on a course for the rest of our lives and determines, at least in part, how we will live as elderly people. For those who are older, this verse helps you to see who it is you need to turn to when your strength does eventually fail. Especially if a person has been very active and involved, coming to terms with limited physical abilities will be a challenge. Before the time comes when you are unable to take care of things you used to be able to do, make friends, be kind and generous, and use all the time you are given to be a light in the world. Let people in now and transfer the confidence you have (or once had) in your physical abilities to confidence in God and your fellow Christians.

Troubles Do Not Always Go Away

“For my enemies have spoken against me; and those who watch for my life have consulted together, saying, ‘God has forsaken him’” (71:10-11). We will never reach a stage in life when all of our difficulties will go away. Unfortunately, as we get older, many of our difficulties become worse, or we discover new trials that we never thought would happen. This often catches young people by surprise. In our early years of adulthood, we dream about the time when we will be financially secure, retired and playing golf all day long. Yet this psalm warns us about his fallacy. “The speaker might have expected mature age to bring exemption from such attacks, but such is not the case” (Psalms 42-106, James Montgomery Boice, p. 594). The lesson, therefore, is that I must continue growing in faith, because in old age I will still have problems, adversaries, fears, and worries. For every bit that those problems are compounded by age and inability, my faith must also be compounded by numerous years of growth, trust, and Bible study. Remember, young people, that you will not just be able to hide your sorrow, depression, or lack of faith with hobbies and diversions – you will not have the strength and, thus, will be left alone with your problems.

Being Alone

“Pursue and seize him, for there is no one to deliver” (71:11). It bothers the writer of this psalm that as he gets older he seems to have fewer people to help him solve his problems. He has fewer friends to carry the burden his enemies have placed on him. Even though godly people may exist all around you in old age, there is a difference since our peers leave us in death. Old age can become a very lonely time for people who are unwilling to adapt and continue growing socially and emotionally. Eventually, everybody who understood what you went through in your younger days has passed away. Younger people may come and visit, but it is not the same as the support you get from lifelong friends.

Positive Solutions

“Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near when you will say, ‘I have no delight in them’” (Ecclesiastes 12:1). “The reflections David gives us concerning old age are not so we will wring our hands and complain about how bad it is to grow old, but to the contrary. David wants us to see that even old age is given to us by God, is one of His good gifts and should be used for His glory and the blessing and well-being of others. He gets into these points first by pausing to look back over his long life and reflect on what he has learned about God. We have spoken about the problems of old age, which are great. But one great advantage is in having a long experience of God’s presence, faithfulness, and blessing” (Boice, pp. 595-596). Our young people need to understand that aging is not a curse, but a great blessing. Living a long and hearty life has treasures all its own, far more precious to the soul that anything gained by “living fast and dying young.”

Teaching The Next Generation

“And even when I am old and gray, O God, do not forsake me, until I declare Thy strength to this generation, Thy power to all who are to come” (71:18). Some people in their old age only look to the past and end up quite unhappy. They think they have had and lost everything of value in life. Now that a mate has died, children have grown up, or a career ended, they no longer have anything to live for but desperately trying to find somebody to listen to stories of “the good old days.” “The present does not mean much to them except as a basis for complaining about their multiplying aches and pains. David’s approach to old age was not like this. For not only did he look to the past to remember God’s goodness and faithfulness to him over the many long years of his life, he also looked to the future in terms of the work yet remaining to be done” (Boice, p. 597). That great work is to tell the younger generation of God’s blessings. In a very sobering sense, the Lord’s church is always just one generation away from total extinction, and it is imperative that our older brethren give us the guidance that we need.

The Blessings of the Present

“And I still declare Thy wondrous deeds” (71:17). The past may be a reminder of God’s faithfulness at one time, but exulting in the blessings of today is a reminder that the Father is still working to bring peace and salvation to the Christian soul. The psalmist will continually look to God, and will always declare His wondrous deeds, past, present, and future.

This Will Work Out Too 

“Thou, who hast shown me many troubles and distresses, wilt revive me again” (71:20). Notice the power of that word “again”. Here is the aged saint, still in the fight, still surrounded by his enemies, problems, ailments, and tribulations, and yet confidently knowing that God will deliver him again. One of the great benefits of old age is perspective. Having seen the deliverance of the Lord so many times, having tasted of His blessings so abundantly, having been forgiven of countless sins, and comforted from one calamity to the next, who would believe that God would abandon the faithful soul in old age? There have been too many deliverances in the past for this psalmist to even question God now.