Psalms 71

The matter of this Psalm, plainly shows that it was written in a time of David's great distress, and his Old Age, mentioned v. 9. and 18. proves that it belongs not to Saul's time; But rather, to the time of Absolom's Rebellion; which happen'd in his Old Age.

IN thee, O LORD, do I put my trust, let me never be put to confusion This Verse a... d the next, are taken out of Psal. 31. 1, 2..

Deliver me in thy righteousness, and cause me to escape: incline thine ear unto me, and save me.

Be thou my strong habitation, whereunto I may continually resort: thou hast given commandment By which he understands God's purpose and Promise; and his Providence, watching to Execute them; All which are as certain and Powerful, as a Command. to save me, for thou art my rock and my fortress.

Deliver me, O my God, out of the hand of the wicked, out of the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man.

For thou art my hope, O LORD God, thou art my trust from my youth.

By thee have I been holden up from the womb (i. e.) From the time when I came out of the Womb.; thou art he that took me out of my mothers bowels (i. e.) Out of her Womb. Which he justly mentions, as a great and wonderful, though a common and neglected work of God's Power and Goodness., my praise shall be continually of thee.

I am as a wonder Or, Prodigy; Either, 1. Of Mercy, for the wonderful Protections and Deliverances, which God has given me. Or rather, 2. Of Judgment, for my many and sore Calamites, as appears from the next Words. They wondred both at the Calamities themselves, which befel me; which were great and Various, and strange; and that they should be... al me, one who have made it the chief Care and Business of my Life, to please and serve, and glorifie God; and one whom God has owned in so Eminent a degree, and Crowned with such a constant Succession, of Blessings and Deliverances, from time to time. That such a Man should... e forsaken by a God; and Persecuted even to Death by his own S... n, whom he had so tenderly loved; and dese... ed by the Body of his own People, who had generally expressed so great an Opinion o... him, and affection to him, and had so many to him, and such singular Benefits, by his wi... and just, and pious Government; this was indeed cause of Wonder. unto many, but thou art my strong refuge But although Men desert me, and look at me, God is a sure Refuge to me..

Let my mouth be filled with thy praise Give me occasion to multiply my Praises to thee, for delivering me out of my present Distress., and with thy honour all the day.

Cast me not off in the time of old age When I am most feeble, and most need thy Help, and one who is grown Old in thy Service., forsake me not when my strength faileth.

For mine enemies speak against me, and they that lay wait Or, watch it, that they may find occasion to destroy it, and that it may not escape their Hands. for my soul, take counsel together.

Saying, God has forsaken him For his Adultery and Murder, and other Wickednesses, and therefore we shall certainly prevail against him.: persecute and take him, for there is none to deliver him.

O God, be not far from me: O my God, make hast for my help.

Let them be confounded and consumed, that are adversaries to my soul: let them be covered with reproach and dishonour that seek my hurt.

But I will hope continually, and will yet praise thee more and more For which I know thou wilst yet give me abundant occasion..

My mouth shall show forth thy righteousness, and thy salvation all the day: for I know not the numbers thereof (i. e.) Of thy Salvations and Mercies vouchsa... ed to me, which being innumerable oblige me the more, to celebrate thy Praises..

I will go I will not sit down in Despair, but I will go on, or proceed in my Business, Courag... ously and Cheerfully, in making necessary Provisions for my own defence. in the strength of the Lord GOD Relying only upon thy strength, and not upon my own Military Preparations.: I will make mention Partly, to Praise and celebrate it: and Partly, to support and Comfort my self, with the Remembrance of it. of thy righteousness Either, 1. Of thy Mercy and Goodness. Or rather, 2. Of thy Faithfulness, and in making good all thy Promises to me, as this Word is most commonly used in this Book. even of thine only Not of my Subjects and Friends, who are false and persidious to thee, and to me: Nor of my own; for I have been most unfaithful to thee, and have broken my Covenant with thee..

O God, thou hast taught me Partly, by thy Word and Spirit, convincing and assuring me; and Partly, by my own Experience, of thy Right... last mentioned, the wondrous Effects whereof I have received and declared from time to time, as it here follows. from my youth, and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works.

Now also when I am old and gray-headed, O God forsake me not: until I have showed thy strength Either, 1. This further Act, or instance of thy strength.... r rather, 2. Thy great Power, which will more Eminently appear in this, than it has done in former Deliverances, as my Danger is now greater, because this is a Civil War, and the Generality of mine own People are ingaged against me, and my Forces are very inconsiderable to theirs, and without thy Help, my Case is desperate. unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come (i. e.) To all succeeding Generations, to whom I will leave a lasting Monument of this glorious Example, of al-sufficiency, such as this Psalm is..

Thy righteousness also, O God, is very high (i. e.) Most Eminent and Evident, as high things are., who hast done great things: O God, who is like unto thee?

Thou which hast showed me great and sore trouble, shalt quicken me again, and shalt bring me up again from the depths of the earth (i. e.) From the Grave; for I was like one Dead and buried, and past all hope of Deliverance, without thy Almighty assistance..

Thou shalt encrease my greatness I am assured that thou wilst not only restore that Royal Majesty, which my Son has invaded to me, but also increase my Honour and Power., and comfort me on every side.

I will also praise thee with the psaltery, even thy truth, O my God: unto thee will I sing with the harp, O thou holy one of Israel.

My lips shall greatly rejoyce when I sing unto thee: and my soul which thou hast redeemed.

My tongue also shall talk of thy righteousness all the day long: for they are confounded, for they are brought unto Shame that seek my hurt.