What does Psalm 71:16 mean?
ESV: With the mighty deeds of the Lord God I will come; I will remind them of your righteousness, yours alone.
NIV: I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, Sovereign Lord; I will proclaim your righteous deeds, yours alone.
NASB: I will come with the mighty deeds of the Lord God; I will make mention of Your righteousness, Yours alone.
CSB: I come because of the mighty acts of the Lord God; I will proclaim your righteousness, yours alone.
NLT: I will praise your mighty deeds, O Sovereign Lord. I will tell everyone that you alone are just.
KJV: I will go in the strength of the Lord God: I will make mention of thy righteousness, even of thine only.
NKJV: I will go in the strength of the Lord God; I will make mention of Your righteousness, of Yours only.
Verse Commentary:
Verse Context:
Psalm 71:14–24 concludes the psalm with reflection on the psalmist's life of worship. Liars and conspirators are trying to kill him (Psalm 71:9–13), but he is determined to trust in God's protection. Much of this trust is because of prior instances of danger, through which God brought the psalmist. Rather than despair, the psalmist looks ahead, expecting that he will be able to tell others about what the Lord has done for him. This will come with music and proclamations about God's greatness.
Chapter Summary:
The psalmist—possibly David—repeats a prayer for rescue resembling the opening verses of psalm 31. After a lifetime of noticeable faithfulness, the psalmist is fully confident that God will provide a rescue from his troubles. Again, the psalmist asks God to be with him despite his old age. When the expected salvation is accomplished, the psalmist plans to continue to worship the Lord and invite others to do the same.
Chapter Context:
No author or event is given for this psalm. However, the opening resembles those of psalms 31 and 35. Phrases and ideas seen in psalms 22 and 40 are echoed here, as well. Since David is credited with those, it is likely David composed this as well. A possible inspiration may have been Absalom's rebellion during David's old age (2 Samuel 15—16). As do other psalms, this one asks God for deliverance while vowing to continue praising Him.
Book Summary:
The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.
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