A lament psalm. A psalm for old age. The psalmist as an old man cries out for deliverance from his enemies. Note: Ps 70 and Ps 71 are sometimes considered a single composition with Ps 70 serving as the introduction. In this, case Ps 71 is also “Of David”.
v.1-4 Petition for deliverance. (See Ps 31:1-4)
v.5-8 Praise to God.
v.9-13 Petition and definition of the crisis.
9 Do not cast me off in the time of old age;
forsake me not when my strength is spent.
v.14-24 A prayer in which the psalmist expresses commitment to God and vows to praise Him for deliverance.
22 I will also praise you with the harp
for your faithfulness, O my God;
I will sing praises to you with the lyre,
O Holy One of Israel.
As we grow older, we need to faithfully teach the next generation the truths about God (v.18).
I find verses 18c-21 compelling. The singer has seen many “troubles and calamities”, but is still certain of the power of God to “increase [his] honor.” Hard times and sustained pain have not dampened the Psalmist’s faith in God.