My wife and I are reading through the Psalms in our evening reading and occasionally a nugget of the Psalms jumps out of the page. Don’t you love it when, after years of reading the “Old Book” passages become alive, reinforcing old teachings or simply warming your heart.
This is the book of Psalms, and it is rich.
I pray I can communicate a portion of the blessing we receive from this wonderful book.
Psalm 71 is a psalm written by an aged saint, a man who had walked with the Lord through many trials and triumphs. Some think this psalm represents David’s thoughts as he approaches the grave, as he ages and finds his life coming to a close.
One thing that is obvious in this psalm, that whoever wrote this psalm had an intimate experience with the Word of God. I have heard the claim that in the 24 verses of this psalm, there are up to 25 references, allusions and hints of other psalms within this reflection of an old saint. He has saturated his life with the Word, to the point that even phrasing of the old book comes through this old man’s message.
It is truly a witness of the wisdom to engage in an early and consistent immersion into the Word of God for every saint.
Let’s take a moment to consider
Psalm 71:14 But I will hope continually and will praise you yet more and more.
Psalm 71:15 My mouth will tell of your righteous acts, of your deeds of salvation all the day, for their number is past my knowledge.
Psalm 71:16 With the mighty deeds of the Lord GOD I will come; I will remind them of your righteousness, yours alone.
Remember our psalmist is in the midst of a battle that is possibly going to consume him, take his life and snuff him out! Was it not just a few verses previously, that he spoke of his enemies consulting to take his life?
Psalm 71:10-11 For my enemies speak concerning me; those who watch for my life consult together and say, “God has forsaken him; pursue and seize him, for there is none to deliver him.”
I bring this to our memory, for he begins this portion with hope and praise. He has not won some lottery, or received a promotion at work, but is experiencing a life changing, life altering, possibly life ending event in this passage, yet has the eye of faith that will hope and praise God.
He has a history with God, and is entering his last days, but though weakened, he has a history with God, knowing that God is a faithful and loving God. With this history and the knowledge of the faithfulness of God in his life, he has the strength of spirit to raise up praise in the midst to trial, to hope in a seemingly hopeless situation!
And he isn’t shallow in his experience with God, for he speaks of “talking up” God all day long! He has a deep well of experiences to draw from, of a life where God showed up on a consistent basis, providing a deliverance for the saint, whether small or great, exhibiting His faithfulness.
But let me settle on verse 16, for that is a verse that speaks of the Lord Jesus.
16 With the mighty deeds of the Lord GOD I will come; I will remind them of your righteousness, yours alone.
Did He not come to rescue us?
Did He not come with the mighty deeds of the Lord GOD? So many miracles! So many chances for the soul to admit He is the One!
Did not the Lord Jesus declare the righteousness of the God of Israel, the God of the fathers, the eternal God?
Did not the Lord Jesus remind us of the “onlyness” of God’s righteousness? Granted, I don’t think “onlyness” is a proper word, but hopefully you get my intent. Jesus spoke of God’s righteousness alone, and not of any others, but God’s alone! He minced no words in declaring that God alone is truly righteous, and that all others are not!
He spoke the truth for us, and though it is difficult to hear, His words are a balm for the weary soul, even as we submit to the truth that only God is righteous, and that we are not.
Jesus came with mighty miracles, reminding us of such a righteous God and our need for Him.
And He provided us the way, the truth and the life!
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Considering the Bible 