Psalm 71: Still Work To Do

The psalmist refers to himself as "old and gray-headed."  Looking back at his life, he sees God's presence with him beginning in the womb and never faltering.  The one who wrote 71 was introspective, thoughtful - and forward looking.  Though this psalm is offered during the twilight hours of life, the psalmist looks ahead, praying to maintain his relationship with his Creator and to continue to offer him praise.  He knows he will face new adversity in life and petitions God to continue to provide him with support and strength.  Here, we see faith that has lasted a lifetime and sustained a life.  Do we have this kind of faith?  Lent is a good time to consider the question, to think about what might be keeping us from enjoying the kind of relationship with God that was known by the psalmist, and to then make amends so that we too may draw closer to the God who sustains us and saves us.

1  In you, O LORD, have I taken refuge; *
let me never be ashamed.
2  In your righteousness, deliver me and set me free; *
incline your ear to me and save me.
3  Be my strong rock, a castle to keep me safe; *
you are my crag and my stronghold.
4  Deliver me, my God, from the hand of the wicked, *
from the clutches of the evildoer and the oppressor.
5  For you are my hope, O Lord GOD, *
my confidence since I was young.
6  I have been sustained by you ever since I was born;
from my mother’s womb you have been my strength; *
my praise shall be always of you.
7  I have become a portent to many; *
but you are my refuge and my strength.
8  Let my mouth be full of your praise *
and your glory all the day long.
9  Do not cast me off in my old age; *
forsake me not when my strength fails.
10  For my enemies are talking against me, *
and those who lie in wait for my life take counsel together.
11  They say that God has forsaken me,
that they will come after me and seize me; *
because there is none who will save.
12  O God, be not far from me; *
come quickly to help me, O my God.
13  Let those who set themselves against me be put to shame and be disgraced; *
let those who seek to do me evil be covered with scorn and reproach.
14  But I shall always wait in patience, *
and shall praise you more and more.
15  My mouth shall recount your mighty acts
and saving deeds all day long; *
though I cannot know the number of them.
16  I will begin with the mighty works of the Lord GOD; *
I will recall your righteousness, yours alone.
17  O God, you have taught me since I was young, *
and to this day I tell of your wonderful works.
18  And now that I am old and gray-headed, O God, do not forsake me, *
till I make known your strength to this generation
and your power to all who are to come.
19  Your righteousness, O God, reaches to the heavens; *
you have done great things;
who is like you, O God?
20  You have showed me great troubles and adversities, *
but you will restore my life
and bring me up again from the deep places of the earth.
21  You strengthen me more and more; *
you enfold and comfort me.
22  Therefore I will praise you upon the lyre for your faithfulness, O my God; *
I will sing to you with the harp, O Holy One of Israel.
23  My lips will sing with joy when I play to you, *
and so will my soul, which you have redeemed.
24  My tongue will proclaim your righteousness all day long, *
for they are ashamed and disgraced who sought to do me harm.

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