Scriptural text: Psalm 71:12-21
Lesson Context:
Psalm 71 is part of a long string of prayers (going back to Psalm 50) that express the hope that God will help those who trust in Him. This section of Psalms addresses the suffering of either individual or Israel as a people in lament after lament. These psalms call God’s attention to the human need for a continuing relationship of rescue. And the psalms remind the people of Israel of their constant need for self-examination, repentance, and hopeful actions.
l. God of Help (Psalm 71:12-16): A. Request for Presence (vv. 12-13).
12. “O God, be not far from me: O my God, make haste for my help.” O my God make haste for my help; he knew that his help was in God, and that there was none for him elsewhere; and that he could help him when none else could, and was a present help in time of trouble; and it being such a time with him, and his case desperate, he desires the Lord that he would make haste; and he addresses him as his own God, the consideration of which encouraged his faith and hope in him, and carried in it an argument to help him. (Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible)
13. “Let them be confounded and consumed that are adversaries to my soul; let them be covered with reproach and dishonor that seek my hurt.” If they will not be confounded by repentance, and so saved, let them be confounded with everlasting dishonor, and so ruined.” God will turn into shame the glory of those who turn into shame the glory of God and his people. (Matthew Henry Bible Commentary)
B. Worshipper’s Commitment (vv. 14-16):
14a. “But I will hope continually.”
David concludes the psalm with believing praises (Ps. 71:14). Never were his joys and thanksgiving more enlarged. He is in ecstasy of joyful praise; and, in the singing of it, we too should have our faith in God encouraged and our hearts raised in blessing his holy name. (Matthew Henry Bible Commentary)
ll. Lifelong Learning (Psalm 71:17-21): A. From Youth to Old Age (vv. 17- 18).
17a. “O God, thou hast taught me from my youth.”
David hopes that God will not leave him in his old age, but will be the same to him to the end that he had been all along. What God had done for him when he was young: Thou hast taught me from my youth. (Matthew Henry Bible Commentary)
B. Of God’s Incomparability (vv. 19-21)
19. “Thy righteousness also, O God, is very high, who hast done great things: O God, who is like unto thee!” God’s righteousness permeates all His actions; every incredible act of creation or recreation, of love or mercy or justice, is done perfectly by the Lord. No one else in Heaven or on earth can bring about the good outcomes righteous people experience every day. (International Sunday School Lessons, KJV 2023- 2024)
21a.“ Thou shalt increase my greatness.” The psalmist expects God to increase the praying person’s greatness rather than allow him or her to suffer social isolation and disgrace.