Psalm 71:18 - Printer Friendly

ESV: So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come.

NIV: Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come.

NASB: And even when I am old and gray, God, do not abandon me, Until I declare Your strength to this generation, Your power to all who are to come.

CSB: Even while I am old and gray, God, do not abandon me, while I proclaim your power to another generation, your strength to all who are to come.

NLT: Now that I am old and gray, do not abandon me, O God. Let me proclaim your power to this new generation, your mighty miracles to all who come after me.

KJV: 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.

NKJV: Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, do not forsake me, Until I declare Your strength to this generation, Your power to everyone who is to come.

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.

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.

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.

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.