Psalms 71:24

Verse Psalms 71:24. Talk of thy righteousness] The righteousness of God is frequently used in this Psalm, and in other places, to signify his justice, judgments, faithfulness, truth, mercy, c. There are few words of more general import in the Bible.

They are confounded] The counsel of Ahithophel is confounded, and turned to foolishness, and he was so ashamed that he went and hanged himself. As to the vain and wicked Absalom, he met with the fate that he had meditated against his father. Though not yet done, David sees all these things as actually accomplished for he had got a Divine assurance that God would bring them to pass.

ANALYSIS OF THE SEVENTY-FIRST PSALM

The parts of this Psalm, generally, are these two: -

I. A prayer that God would help and deliver him, which he urges by many arguments, Psalms 71:1.

II. His vow of thanksgiving, Psalms 71:22-19.

I. 1. His petition in general: "Let me never be put to confusion."

2. He intimates the cause: "I put my trust in thee," c., Psalms 71:2.

To induce the Lord to hear, he uses many arguments, drawn, -

1. From his justice and equity: "Deliver me in thy righteousness."

2. From his word and promise: "Thou hast given commandment," c.

3. From his power: "Thou art my rock," c.

4. From his relation to him: "My God, my hope."

5. From the qualities of his adversaries: "They were wicked, unrighteous, and cruel."

6. From his confidence: "Thou art my hope."

7. From his gracious providence: "By thee have I been holden up," c.

8. From his thankful heart: "My praise shall be continually," c.

9. He had none to trust to but GOD: "Thou art my refuge."

3. He resumes his prayer: "Cast me not off in the time of old age," c.

He describes his enemies: -

1. They were continual calumniators: "Mine enemies speak against me."

2. They laboured to take away his life.

3. They studied mischief against him: "They take counsel together."

4. Their words were cruel: "God hath forsaken him persecute," c.

4. He resumes his prayer, and predicts his enemies' downfall: "O my God, be not far from me make haste for my help."

He prays against his enemies, -

1. "Let them be confounded," c.: they shall be confounded.

2. He expresses his hope: "I will hope continually."

3. And his purpose of gratitude: "I will praise thee more and more."

4. He pleads from his past experience of God's mercy to him.

1. God had "taught him from his youth" both by his word and Spirit.

2. Hitherto he had "declared God's wondrous works."

3. Therefore, "forsake me not now that I am old and grey-headed."

4. I have still much to do: "Until I have showed thy strength," c.

From all these considerations he feels gratitude, and praises God.

1. Thy righteousness is very high. There is nothing like IT.

2. God is wonderful: "There is none like HIM."

Of all this he had full and satisfactory proof.

1. Thou hast showed me troubles - "sore troubles."

2. Yet thou shalt revive me.

3. Thou "shalt bring me from the depths of the earth."

4. "Thou shalt increase my greatness."

5. "Thou shalt support me on every side."

II. The SECOND part contains David's thanksgiving.

1. He will praise the truth of the "Holy One of Israel:" not only with nebel and kinnor - instruments of music then used, -

2. But with his lips and soul heart and mouth going together.

3. With his tongue speaking of God's goodness to others.

4. And for this reason, "They are confounded, for they are brought to shame that seek my hurt."