SPIRITIUAL DIARY FOR
4/7/2012 9:06:47 AM
My Worship Time Focus: He Never Fails
Bible Reading & Meditation Reference: Psalm 71:1-4
Message of the verses: We will begin to look at Psalm 71 this morning by first looking at several introductions.
“David penned this psalm in his old age, as appears by several passages in it, which makes many think that it was penned at the time of Absalom’s rebellion; for that was the great trouble of his later days. It might be occasioned by Sheba’s insurrection, or some trouble that happened to him in that part of his life of which it was foretold that the sword should not depart from his house. But he is not over-particular in representing his case, because he intended it for the general use of God’s people in their afflictions, especially those they meet with in their declining years; for this psalm, above any other, is fitted for the use of the old disciples of Jesus Christ.
“I. He begins the psalm with believing prayers, with prayers that God would deliver him and save him (#Ps 71:2,4), and not cast him off (#Ps 71:9) or be far from him (#Ps 71:12), and that his enemies might be put to shame, #Ps 71:13. He pleads his confidence in God (#Ps 71:1,3,5,7), the experience he had had of help from God (#Ps 71:6), and the malice of his enemies against him, #Ps 71:10-11.
“ II. He concludes the psalm with believing praises, #Ps 71:14, &c. Never was his hope more established, #Ps 71:16,18,20-21. Never were his joys and thanksgivings more enlarged, #Ps 71:15,19,22-24. He is in an 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)
“One of the features of the psalms is that they meet the circumstances of life. This psalm to God expresses the concerns of old age. At a time in his life when he 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.” (From The John MacArthur Study Bible)
“The psalm is anonymous, written by a believer who had enemies and needed the Lord’s help and protection (vv. 4, 10, 13, 24). He was probably past middle age and was greatly concerned about the burdens of old age (vv. 9, 18). He wanted to end well. From birth he had been sustained by the Lord (v.6), and in his youth he had been taught by the Lord (v. 17). He may have been one of the many temple musicians assigned to praise God in the sanctuary day and night (vv. 22024; 134:1). Whoever he was, he made four affirmations about the Lord and the help He gives to those who call on him and trust him.” (Warren Wiersbe)
As you can see there are different opinions on who wrote this psalm, and it seems to me that many of the older commentators seem to credit David for some of the psalms that are not identified as to who wrote them. Since at this time of my life I am considered older then this psalm will be good for me to study with great interest.
“The Lord Helps Me Now” (vv. 1-4): “ 1 ¶ In You, O LORD, I have taken refuge; Let me never be ashamed. 2 In Your righteousness deliver me and rescue me; Incline Your ear to me and save me. 3 Be to me a rock of habitation to which I may continually come; You have given commandment to save me, For You are my rock and my fortress. 4 Rescue me, O my God, out of the hand of the wicked, Out of the grasp of the wrongdoer and ruthless man.”
In the first part of his commentary on Psalm 71 Dr. Wiersbe states that “the first three verses are adapted from 31:1-3” and then states that this was a perfectly legitimate practice among those who have written the psalms. It must be remembered that the Holy Spirit of God is the author of all Scripture, using men whom He moves to write the words that He wants them to write, and we find in many portions of the Bible things repeated, especially from the OT to the NT. The point here is that the Holy Spirit is in charge of what was put down in the Word of God. If perhaps the author of Psalm 71 was indeed a singer in the Lord’s house then he would be familiar with the words of many of the psalms that had been already written.
It was the desire of the psalmist to remain true to the Lord, to finish well, and so he asks for protection from the Lord in verse on so that he would not be ashamed. (“Now, little children, abide in Him, so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming.”) (1John 2:28) It is good to know that the writer did not run from his troubles but trusted the Lord in the midst of the troubles he found himself in.
The psalmist uses the word “righteousness” five times in Psalm 71 (2, 15, 16, 19, and 24), and Dr. Wiersbe points out that this not only refers to one of God’s attributes but it also refers to the faithfulness of God in keeping His Word. He goes on to write “A righteous God is active in helping His people in their times of need. He issues the command and the deed is done (v. 3; 33:9; 44:4; 68:28). His people can always come to Him (v. 3; Heb. 10:19-25), always praise Him (vv. 6, 8, 15, 24), and always hope in Him (v. 14). HE NEVER FAILS!”
If this man was a Levite who severed the Lord in the temple there may have been a time in his life when Judah had gone astray that he was asked to compromise his faith because of evil people were taking over the temple. As one reads through the OT they can find that this happened on different occasions. The reading of 2Kings and 2Chronicles show this happened more than once. Verse four could be referring to this kind of thing happening.
As far as the old age reference that seems to be in this psalm we could explain it by the fact that if this man did work in the temple according to OT law he would begin at age twenty-five and then retire at age fifty. He may have been troubled by how he would live after that.
Spiritual meaning for my life today: I can surely concur with the troubles of old age and retirement and also living on much less than when I was working, but I can also praise and thank the Lord for providing for my needs in very timely matters. God is faithful and God never fails.
My Steps of Faith for Today: Continue to learn contentment in my older age, trusting the Lord to care for my needs. Like this psalmist my desire is to finish well, and that means I must continue to stay in the Word of God every day. Trust the Lord to give me the strength to never run from my troubles unless I believe He is leading me in that direction.
4/7/2012 9:53:38 AM
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