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Lutheran reading notes

In Psalms chapter 71, the wisdom literature continues to explore prayer, worship, lament, praise, and trust in God. Lutheran interpretation often emphasizes humanity’s limitations and the need to rely on God's grace and promises. The chapter highlights the contrast between human striving and the faithfulness of God.

Theme: Wisdom, prayer, and faithful living Key people: Wise figures Key place: Israel Liturgical use: Wisdom lections
1 In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion.
Psalms 71:1 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
2 Deliver me in thy righteousness, and cause me to escape: incline thine ear unto me, and save me.
Psalms 71:2 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
3 Be thou my strong habitation, whereunto I may continually resort: thou hast given commandment to save me; for thou {art} my rock and my fortress. {Be...: Heb. Be thou to me for a rock of habitation}
Psalms 71:3 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
4 Deliver me, O my God, out of the hand of the wicked, out of the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man.
Psalms 71:4 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
5 For thou {art} my hope, O Lord GOD: {thou art} my trust from my youth.
Psalms 71:5 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
6 By thee have I been holden up from the womb: thou art he that took me out of my mother's bowels: my praise {shall be} continually of thee.
Psalms 71:6 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
7 I am as a wonder unto many; but thou {art} my strong refuge.
Psalms 71:7 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
8 Let my mouth be filled {with} thy praise {and with} thy honour all the day.
Psalms 71:8 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
9 Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength faileth.
Psalms 71:9 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
10 For mine enemies speak against me; and they that lay wait for my soul take counsel together, {lay...: Heb. watch, or, observe}
Psalms 71:10 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
11 Saying, God hath forsaken him: persecute and take him; for {there is} none to deliver {him}.
Psalms 71:11 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
12 O God, be not far from me: O my God, make haste for my help.
Psalms 71:12 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
13 Let them be confounded {and} consumed that are adversaries to my soul; let them be covered {with} reproach and dishonour that seek my hurt.
Psalms 71:13 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
14 But I will hope continually, and will yet praise thee more and more.
Psalms 71:14 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
15 My mouth shall shew forth thy righteousness {and} thy salvation all the day; for I know not the numbers {thereof}.
Psalms 71:15 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
16 I will go in the strength of the Lord GOD: I will make mention of thy righteousness, {even} of thine only.
Psalms 71:16 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
17 O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works.
Psalms 71:17 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
18 Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto {this} generation, {and} thy power to every one {that} is to come. {when...: Heb. unto old age and gray hairs} {thy strength: Heb. thine arm}
Psalms 71:18 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
19 Thy righteousness also, O God, {is} very high, who hast done great things: O God, who {is} like unto thee!
Psalms 71:19 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
20 {Thou}, which hast shewed me great and sore troubles, shalt quicken me again, and shalt bring me up again from the depths of the earth.
Psalms 71:20 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
21 Thou shalt increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side.
Psalms 71:21 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
22 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. {the psaltery: Heb. the instrument of psaltery}
Psalms 71:22 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
23 My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing unto thee; and my soul, which thou hast redeemed.
Psalms 71:23 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
24 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.
Psalms 71:24 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.