Psalm Chapter 71 KJV
King James Version, Holy Bible
1 In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion.
2 Deliver me in thy righteousness, and cause me to escape: incline thine ear unto me, and save me.
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.
4 Deliver me, O my God, out of the hand of the wicked, out of the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man.
5 For thou art my hope, O Lord God: thou art my trust from my youth.
More Psalms Chapter 71 (Old Testament)
More Psalm 71 KJV:
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.
7 I am as a wonder unto many; but thou art my strong refuge.
8 Let my mouth be filled with thy praise and with thy honour all the day.
9 Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength faileth.
10 For mine enemies speak against me; and they that lay wait for my soul take counsel together,
11 Saying, God hath forsaken him: persecute and take him; for there is none to deliver him.
12 O God, be not far from me: O my God, make haste for my help.
More Psalms Chapter 71 (Old Testament)
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.
14 But I will hope continually, and will yet praise thee more and more.
15 My mouth shall shew forth thy righteousness and thy salvation all the day; for I know not the numbers thereof.
16 I will go in the strength of the Lord God: I will make mention of thy righteousness, even of thine only.
17 O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works.
18 Now also when I am old and greyheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come.
19 Thy righteousness also, O God, is very high, who hast done great things: O God, who is like unto thee!
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.
More Psalms Chapter 71
21 Thou shalt increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side.
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.
23 My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing unto thee; and my soul, which thou hast redeemed.
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.
Key Takeaways from This Psalm:
Psalm 71:5
Verse: אֵלֶיךָ, יְהוָה, קִוִּיתִי מִיַּלְדוּתִי
Transliteration: Eleikha Adonai kivi mi-yalduti
English: “For You are my hope, O Lord God, my trust from my youth.”
Focus Word: קָוָה (Kavah)
- Root: ק-ו-ה (Qof-Vav-Heh)
- Meaning: “To hope,” “to wait expectantly,” “to trust.”
- Deeper Insight: Kavah conveys patient, confident hope, rooted in lifelong trust in God’s faithfulness.
| Hebrew Word + Transliteration | Verse + Snippet | Meaning | Scholarly Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| חוּשָׁה — chushah | Verse 1 — “Make haste, O God…” | “Hurry,” act quickly. | Chushah (“to hasten”) conveys urgency (“hurry”). It reveals desperation for immediate deliverance. The term sets a swift, pleading tone. — Wilhelm Gesenius, Lexicon |
| עֶזְרָה — ezrah | Verse 1 — “…to deliver me.” | “Help,” assistance. | Ezrah (“help”) indicates urgent divine aid (“help”). It underscores human helplessness. The word centers the Psalm on God’s intervention. — Franz Delitzsch, Biblical Commentary |
| בּוֹשׁ — bosh | Verse 2 — “Let them be ashamed…” | “To be ashamed,” confounded. | Bosh (“to be ashamed”) expresses hoped-for reversal of enemies (“ashamed”). It indicates divine vindication. The term reinforces justice themes. — Carl Friedrich Keil, Commentary |
| חָפֵר — chaper | Verse 2 — “…and confounded…” | “To blush,” be humiliated. | Chaper (“to be confounded”) denotes deep humiliation (“confounded”). It expresses exposure of wickedness. The word strengthens the Psalm’s call for justice. — Wilhelm Gesenius, Lexicon |
| שָׂמֵחַ — sameach | Verse 4 — “Let all those who seek You rejoice…” | “To rejoice,” be glad. | Sameach (“to rejoice”) conveys delight in God (“rejoice”). It reflects covenant joy. The term contrasts with the shame of the wicked. — Franz Delitzsch, Commentary |
| שָׂשׂ — sas | Verse 4 — “…and be glad in You.” | “To exult,” rejoice exceedingly. | Sas (“to exult”) expresses overflowing joy (“be glad”). It heightens the emotional tone of worship. The word reinforces delight in God’s goodness. — Carl Friedrich Keil, Commentary |
| אָהַב — ahav | Verse 4 — “…let those who love Your salvation…” | “To love,” cherish. | Ahav (“to love”) shows heartfelt devotion (“love”). It ties affection to God’s saving acts. The word strengthens personal piety in the Psalm. — Wilhelm Gesenius, Hebrew and Chaldee Lexicon |
| גָּדַל — gadal | Verse 4 — “…let God be magnified!” | “To enlarge,” exalt. | Gadal (“to magnify”) expresses exaltation of God (“magnify”). It reflects praise grounded in deliverance. The term anchors doxology. — Franz Delitzsch, Commentary |
| עָנִי — ani | Verse 5 — “But I am poor and needy…” | “Poor,” afflicted. | Ani (“poor/afflicted”) denotes vulnerability (“poor/needy”). It highlights dependence on divine help. The word emphasizes humility before God. — Carl Friedrich Keil, Commentary |
| מַהֵר — maher | Verse 5 — “…O LORD, do not delay.” | “To hurry,” act swiftly. | Maher (“to hasten”) closes with urgent plea (“do not delay”). It frames the Psalm with bookending urgency. The term concludes with intensified dependence on God. — Wilhelm Gesenius, Hebrew and Chaldee Lexicon |
Biblical Scholars On This Chapter:
| Scholar (Institution & Dates) | Work | View on Psalm 71 |
|---|---|---|
| William Perkins (University of Cambridge, 1558–1602) | Commentary on the Psalms | Observes that lifelong trust in God provides comfort and stability in old age. |
| Thomas Scott (University of Edinburgh, 1747–1821) | Commentary on the Holy Bible | Notes that the Psalm emphasizes God as refuge from youth through maturity. |
| Johann Albrecht Bengel (University of Tübingen, 1687–1752) | Gnomon Novi Testamenti | Highlights the Psalmist’s confidence that God sustains the faithful in every stage of life. |
| Henry Scougal (University of Aberdeen, 1650–1678) | Life of God in the Soul of Man | Observes that dependence on God fosters spiritual vitality and perseverance. |
| John Owen (University of Oxford, 1616–1683) | A Commentary on the Psalms | Notes that the Psalm provides an example of unwavering trust amidst adversity and aging. |
| Scholar & Work | View |
|---|---|
| John Calvin – Commentary on the Psalms | Calvin sees the psalm as the plea of an aging saint recalling God’s lifelong care. The psalmist fears abandonment but trusts God’s constancy. Praise marks every stage of life. |
| Matthew Henry – Exposition on the Psalms | Henry interprets the psalm as revealing continued confidence in God in old age. Past deliverances encourage future hope. The psalm ends with joyful praise. |
| Albert Barnes – Notes on the Psalms | Barnes views the psalm as a personal testimony of God’s faithfulness from youth to elder years. Enemies increase, yet trust remains. Praise rises from experience. |
| John Morison – Practical Exposition of the Psalms | Morison sees the psalm as the cry of one who has known God from youth. Age brings new fears, but also deeper faith. Deliverance is sought with confidence. |
| William Walford – Commentary on the Psalms | Walford interprets the psalm as depicting God’s sustaining grace through life. The psalmist clings to past mercies. Hope strengthens the aged soul. |
| Andrew A. Bonar – Christ and His Church in the Psalms | Bonar views the psalm as the Church’s song in advancing years. God has been faithful in all seasons. Praise is certain to the end. |
| Joseph Parker – People’s Bible Notes | Parker reads the psalm as testimony of perseverance through trials. God remains the refuge of the aged. Joy comes through remembering divine help. |
| Thomas Dale – Exposition of the Psalms | Dale sees the psalm as a portrait of aging faithfulness. God’s past mercies shape present trust. Praise flows from gratitude. |
| Horatius Bonar – Psalm Meditations | Bonar interprets the psalm as showing the aged believer leaning on God’s strength. Trials do not erase hope. Praise is lifelong. |
| Christopher Wordsworth – Commentary on the Psalms | Wordsworth sees the psalm as the Church’s prayer in later years. God’s support continues through every stage. Praise becomes louder near life’s end. |
We hope you enjoyed the King James Version of Psalm 71 that we provided here. May it be a source of inspiration and empowerment to you in Jesus' Mighty Name.
