God’s Renewing Word of Prayer
Introduction
Psalm 71: Today’s reading is a prayer of an elderly person who asks to be rescued from wicked people. The writer cries out to God for protection and recounts his trust in the Lord since he was young. The psalm concludes with the writer singing God’s praises and speaking of God’s faithfulness and righteousness.
Scripture Reading
The Prayer of an Elderly Person
1Lord, I have come to you for protection;
never let me be defeated!
2Because you are righteous, help me and rescue me.
Listen to me and save me!
3Be my secure shelter
and a strong fortress to protect me;
you are my refuge and defense.
4My God, rescue me from wicked people,
from the power of cruel and evil people.
5Sovereign Lord, I put my hope in you;
I have trusted in you since I was young.
6I have relied on you all my life;
you have protected me since the day I was born.
I will always praise you.
7My life has been an example to many,
because you have been my strong defender.
8All day long I praise you
and proclaim your glory.
9Do not reject me now that I am old;
do not abandon me now that I am feeble.
10My enemies want to kill me;
they talk and plot against me.
11They say, “God has abandoned him;
let’s go after him and catch him;
there is no one to rescue him.”
12Don’t stay so far away, O God;
my God, hurry to my aid!
13May those who attack me
be defeated and destroyed.
May those who try to hurt me
be shamed and disgraced.
14I will always put my hope in you;
I will praise you more and more.
15I will tell of your goodness;
all day long I will speak of your salvation,
though it is more than I can understand.
16I will go in the strength of the Lord God;
I will proclaim your goodness, yours alone.
17You have taught me ever since I was young,
and I still tell of your wonderful acts.
18Now that I am old and my hair is gray,
do not abandon me, O God!
Be with me while I proclaim your power and might
to all generations to come.
19Your righteousness, God, reaches the skies.
You have done great things;
there is no one like you.
20You have sent troubles and suffering on me,
but you will restore my strength;
you will keep me from the grave.
21You will make me greater than ever;
you will comfort me again.
22I will indeed praise you with the harp;
I will praise your faithfulness, my God.
On my harp I will play hymns to you,
the Holy One of Israel.
23I will shout for joy as I play for you;
with my whole being I will sing
because you have saved me.
24I will speak of your righteousness all day long,
because those who tried to harm me
have been defeated and disgraced.
Today’s Key Verse: Psalm 71:16
I will go in the strength of the LORD God; I will proclaim your goodness, yours alone.
Reflect
How is the life of the psalm writer described? How does the writer describe God in verse 3? Have you ever thought of God in these terms? What verses indicate the writer’s trust in God? How will you proclaim God’s goodness, faithfulness, and righteousness today?
Pray
Almighty God, you are my secure shelter and strong fortress; you are my refuge and defense. I trust in you, knowing that you are always near and ready to come to my aid. I will tell of your goodness and speak of your righteousness all day long. Amen.
Tomorrow’s Reading
Psalm 11: A prayer of confidence in the LORD.