Psalm 71: Counsel for the Aged
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David entreated the Lord not to forsake him in old age.
And why did he thus pray? He saw that most of the aged around him were unhappy, because of the unfortunate traits of their character being increased with their age.
If they had been naturally close and covetous, they were most disagreeably so in mature years. If they had been jealous, fretful, and impatient, they were especially so when aged.
“David was distressed as he saw those who once seemed to have the fear of God before them, now in old age seemingly forsaken of God and exposed to ridicule by the enemies of the Lord. And why were they thus situated? As age crept on they seemed to lose their former powers of discernment, and were ready to listen to the deceptive advice of strangers in regard to those whom they should confide in. Their jealousy unrestrained sometimes burned into a flame, because all did not agree with their failing judgment. . . . “David was strongly moved. He was distressed. He looked . . . to the time when he should be aged, and feared that God would leave him and he would be as unhappy as other aged persons whose course he had noticed, and that he should be left to the reproach of the enemies of the Lord. . . . David felt the necessity of guarding against the evils which attend old age.” God had ever been a fortress for David. Now David needed God’s support even more as his strength began to fail (vv. 9, 16, 18).
David’s positive outlook was grounded in his past experience (v. 20).
He was sure God would not desert him in his old age and would see him triumphant at last. David’s future was securely held in the hands of His Lord and Savior, and with that realization came comfort and peace from the stress of growing old.
God would hold his hand, even in death, for He had redeemed him (v. 23).
“Will your anchor hold in the storm of life, / When the clouds unfold their wings of strife?”
