Psalm 71 (70):16Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

It is enough to proclaim, "I will remember Your righteousness," highlighting that he claims nothing of his own. After all, what do you have that you have not received? And if you have received it, on what basis do you boast as if it were your own doing? (1 Corinthians 4:7) Your truth alone is my salvation; my own boasts amount to nothing but sin. May I refrain from taking pride in my own strength and instead avoid reliance on the letter, which represents those who elevate human wisdom and their flawed strength in misguided hopes. I will reject such individuals and seek refuge in the strength of the Lord, so that in my weakness, I may find true power; that You may be mighty within me, for I will remember Your truth alone.

Some, like Athanasius, interpret "for" differently, positing punctuation after "the art of writing" to connect it with the subsequent phrase: since I am unaware of the art of writing, I will enter into the power of the Lord. Others, like Eusebius, view “the art of writing” as referring to the message of the scribes calling the people to come to Jerusalem and its temple three times a year. In this context, David implies that his entry into the house of God is motivated not by the scribes’ message but by God’s power. Simmachus, instead of stating “I have not learned the art of writing,” translates it as “I have not counted them,” referring to the blessings You have given me; for my understanding has not grasped such writings, teachings, or eloquent expressions. Therefore, I will enter into the Lord's strength, and to the best of my human ability, I will create hymns, as Theodoret notes. Athanasius suggests that David’s reference to the arts might denote either the worldly distractions of life or the diverse sacrifices mandated by the law. By declaring he has turned away from such things, he expresses his desire to ascend to higher realms through the power given him by the Lord. Theodoret further explains that “the art of writing” pertains to the duties of the scribes, which included keeping records and executing the king’s commands. O Lord, I will remember Your truth. I will not forget, says the Lord, Your righteousness, but I will always hold it in my heart. David acknowledges God’s singularity to emphasize that God alone will justly judge him and his adversaries; thus, he states that he will focus not on the righteousness of humanity but on God’s righteousness alone. He will not cling to the truth of human laws but to that by which You have saved us from sin, according to Athanasius.

It’s as though he proclaims, ‘I am devoted to one God; to Him alone I turn, in Him alone do I place my trust, and in Him, my fortress of refuge, will I find sanctuary.’ He pledges to remember only His righteousness, which is evident in His promises—protecting the innocent while delivering justice upon the wicked. He will not dwell on the advice of men, his own abilities, or the support of friends. David's reliance is not on his reasoning, personal might, or material wealth, but solely on his belief that God is just and cannot abandon him. The righteousness of God here does not refer to the gracious gift of reconciliation or the birth of a new life; rather, it denotes His faithfulness in keeping promises, through which God demonstrates His righteousness or truth in the judgment of those who love Him. He calls to mind the singular truth of God, for failing to align our emotions with it can lead to profound despair. There are countless ways Satan ensnares us in emptiness, and once this emptiness infiltrates the heart, it swiftly diverts us from God. Those who, discontented with God, seek assistance elsewhere soon realize through bitter experience that vanity and frailty are the only supports the world offers, devoid of divine assistance. If David found strength in his life's circumstances solely by relinquishing all other hopes and placing his trust in God, how can we, who are pursuing a spiritual and everlasting existence, stand firm if we waver in our devotion to God, even slightly?

The sons of Jonadab, who listened to their father’s directive, are honored in the title of this psalm, aimed at encouraging all who willingly follow God's commandments and offering admonition to those who falter in following the Divine decree. In this psalm, the prophet prays earnestly to God, requesting that He be a Helper and Deliverer in his old age as He was in his youth, defending him from both visible and unseen foes. He delivers a prophetic instruction to capture every thought in service to Christ the Lord, with the hope of liberation from sin and achieving freedom through His death. By this sacrifice, He will liberate not only the first captives of sin but also all the faithful servants of God, leading them to eternal life (2 Cor. 10:5; Rom. 6:10).