Psalm 71
In You, O Lord, I Take Refuge: A Lifelong Faith in Christ
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Intro
Psalm 71 is a heartfelt cry for God's deliverance and a profound declaration of trust in His faithfulness. The psalmist, in the midst of distress, reflects on God's steadfast love and protection from youth to old age. Viewed in the light of the New Covenant, this psalm beautifully illustrates the lifelong journey of faith, where we find ultimate refuge and hope in Christ.
Section 1: Theme: A Plea for Deliverance - Verse: (1-4)
"In you, O LORD, do I take refuge; let me never be put to shame! In your righteousness deliver me and rescue me; incline your ear to me, and save me! Be to me a rock of refuge, to which I may continually come; you have given the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress. Rescue me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the grasp of the unjust and cruel man."
Harmony
The psalmist's plea for deliverance resonates with Christ's work of salvation on the cross. Christ is the rock of refuge and fortress to which we can continually come, for He has defeated the powers of sin and death. His righteousness is our rescue, and in Him, we will never be put to shame.
Talking Points
The psalmist's reliance on God as a refuge and fortress.
The plea for God's deliverance based on His righteousness.
The metaphor of God as a rock, a symbol of strength and protection.
Questions
How does Christ's work on the cross answer the psalmist's plea for deliverance?
How can we practice relying on Christ as our refuge and fortress in times of distress?
What does it mean to continually come to Christ, our rock and fortress?
Section 2: Theme: Trusting in God's Faithfulness - Verse: (5-8)
"For you, O Lord, are my hope, my trust, O Lord, from my youth. 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. I have been as a portent to many, but you are my strong refuge. My mouth is filled with your praise, and with your glory all the day."
Harmony
The psalmist's unwavering trust in God from youth to old age reflects the enduring faith we are called to have in Christ. Our faith journey starts even before our birth and continues throughout our lives. As believers, we are to continually praise Him, recognizing Christ's glory and faithfulness at every stage of our lives.
Talking Points
The lifelong faith in God, starting from the psalmist's youth.
The emphasis on continual praise of God.
The acknowledgment of God's glory filling the psalmist's life.
Questions
How does our faith in Christ mirror the lifelong faith of the psalmist?
What does continual praise look like in our daily lives as believers?
How can we recognize and proclaim God's glory throughout our lives?
Section 3: Theme: A Proclamation of God's Power and Righteousness - Verse: (15-18)
"My mouth will tell of your righteous acts, of your deeds of salvation all the day, for their number is past my knowledge. With the mighty deeds of the Lord GOD I will come; I will remind them of your righteousness, yours alone. O God, from my youth you have taught me, and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds. So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come."
Harmony
The psalmist's commitment to proclaiming God's righteousness and power finds its ultimate expression in the Gospel. God's "deeds of salvation" are most fully realized in Christ's life, death, and resurrection. As believers, we are entrusted with the task of telling His story to future generations, reminding them of His righteousness and mighty deeds.
Talking Points
The psalmist's resolve to recount God's righteous acts and deeds of salvation.
The appeal to God for strength to continue proclaiming His wondrous deeds even in old age.
The intention to share God's might with future generations.
Questions
How does the Gospel of Christ encapsulate God's righteous acts and deeds of salvation?
How can we commit to proclaiming God's righteousness and power at every stage of our lives?
What practical steps can we take to ensure that the story of God's might and salvation is told to the next generation?
Summary
Psalm 71, interpreted through the perspective of the New Covenant in Christ, presents a heartfelt prayer for God's protection, deliverance, and steadfast love, finding its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus.
The psalmist's plea for God to be his refuge and rock prefigures Jesus as the unchanging and secure foundation upon which we can build our lives (Matthew 7:24-25, Hebrews 13:8).
The psalmist's trust in God from youth to old age reflects our dependence on Jesus, who is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8, Isaiah 46:4).
The psalmist's description of enemies and adversaries foreshadows the opposition Jesus faced during His earthly ministry (Matthew 26:3-4, Matthew 26:59-60).
The psalmist's reliance on God's deliverance and righteous acts points to Jesus as our Savior, who came to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10, Romans 3:22-26).
The psalmist's declaration of God's righteousness and salvation prefigures Jesus' redemptive work on the cross, through which God's righteousness and justice were satisfied (Romans 3:25-26, 2 Corinthians 5:21).
The psalmist's exhortation to praise and worship God aligns with our response of adoration and thanksgiving for Jesus, who is worthy of all praise (Philippians 2:9-11, Revelation 5:12).
Ultimately, Psalm 71 leads us to Jesus as our Rock, Savior, and the object of our worship, inviting us to trust in Him at all times and find solace in His unfailing love and faithfulness.