Psalm 71: Finishing strong in the faith

Martin Luther said, “It would be a good thing if young people were wise and old people were strong, but God has arranged things better.” Throughout the Bible, God called many of his choicest servants do to their greatest work in their latter years. Abraham was 100 years old when Isaac was born. Sarah was 90 when she delivered. Moses was 80 when God enlisted him to lead the children of Israel out of Egypt. Caleb was 85 when he requested the tallest mountain with the largest giants to fight. Zacharias and Elizabeth were both advanced in years when God chose them to have a son, John the Baptist. The Apostle John was 90, or perhaps older, when God commissioned him to write the Book of Revelation. With each of these servants, God saved the best for last.

Steadfast endurance in one’s final years is the theme of Psalm 71. This psalm is the prayer of an anonymous saint, one advanced in years, who trusted God all his life. In old age he sought God’s help as he was attacked by enemies. His adversaries saw that his strength was waning and assumed God had abandoned him. The author called upon the Lord to deliver him again. God will surely deliver his saints, no matter how old they might be. Psalm 71 is a prayer that can be divided into four parts.

The first part is a prayer of confidence in verses 1-8. It begins with a bold confession of faith. “In You, O Lord, I put my trust; let me never be put to shame” (verse 1). He did not rely upon his own ability but trusted in God’s sovereignty. He placed his trust in God. Verse 3 reads, “Be my strong habitation, to which I may resort continually.” God was his source of protection and strength. The word “continually” is emphatic. Over his long life, the elderly psalmist had found God to always be faithful to him. He had every reason to trust God who had been reliable and sufficient in every trial. “… for you are my rock and my fortress” (verse 3). God was the stability and strength of his life.

Verse 5 says, “For You are my hope, O Lord God; you are my trust from my youth.” Since his youth the psalmist had put his trust in God and never been disappointed. He had every reason to praise God in his twilight years.

The second part is a prayer of contrition in verses 9-13. He asked God to not forsake him because he was old and weak. “Do not cast me off in the time of old age; do not forsake me when my strength fails” (verse 9). His enemies gathered against him. He prayed, “O God, do not be far from me; O my God, make haste to help me!” (verse 12).

The third part is a prayer of commitment in verses 14-21. In the face of threats, the psalmist remained anchored to God. The trials did not destroy his faith. They served only to deepen his reliance upon God. Instead of turning bitter, he remained buoyant. Verse 14 confidently reads, “But I will hope continually, and will praise You yet more and more.” For God’s faithfulness, he would declare the Lord’s deeds. “O God, you have taught me from my youth; and to this day I declare your wondrous works. Now also when I am old and gray headed, O God, do not forsake me” (verses 17-18).

The fourth part is a prayer of celebration in verses 22-24. The aging psalmist ended the psalm by praising God with harp, lyre and lips. “Also with the lute I will praise you — and your faithfulness, O my God! To you I will sing with the harp, O Holy One of Israel. My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing to you …” (verses 22-23).

At the age of 86, Polycarp was summoned before the Roman governor. He was ordered to take an oath renouncing Christ and proclaiming allegiance to Caesar. He boldly stated, “Eighty-six years I have served the Lord Jesus, he has been faithful to me. How can I be faithless to him and blaspheme the name of my Savior?” Enraged, the governor proclaimed that Polycarp had committed treason against Rome. A bloodthirsty mob gathered in the arena. They built a pile of boards and planks. They brought nails to fasten Polycarp’s feet to the stakes.

Polycarp then uttered these famous words, “Put away those nails and let them be. The one who gives me strength to endure the flames will give me strength not to flinch at the stake. You threaten me with a fire that burns for a short time and is quickly quenched. For you do not know the fire that awaits the wicked and the judgment to come and an everlasting punishment. Why are you waiting? Come and do what you will to me.”

The fire was lit and Polycarp died as a martyr. Even in old age, he was faithful to God until death. May we be the same. May we grow bolder and more committed to God even as we grow older.

Ethan Hansen is pastor of Faith Bible Fellowship in Big Lake. His email is ethanchansen@gci.net.