Psalm 71:6 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Upon you I have leaned from before my birth; you are he who took me from my mother 's womb. My praise is continually of you.

NIV: From birth I have relied on you; you brought me forth from my mother’s womb. I will ever praise you.

NASB: I have leaned on you since my birth; You are He who took me from my mother’s womb; My praise is continually of You.

CSB: I have leaned on you from birth; you took me from my mother’s womb. My praise is always about you.

NLT: Yes, you have been with me from birth; from my mother’s womb you have cared for me. No wonder I am always praising you!

KJV: 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.

NKJV: By You I have been upheld from birth; You are He who took me out of my mother’s womb. My praise shall be continually of You.

Psalm 71:5–8 describes the psalmist's lifelong trust in God. Though now old (Psalm 71:9), he has relied on the Lord for as long as he can remember. This intensity of faith caused others to think of him as odd—a "spectacle" or "portent"—in his community. Despite this he has relied on God and still praises Him constantly.

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.

Accessed 11/21/2024 11:46:13 AM