Psalm 71 (70):23Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

It is common to refer to the lips as belonging to both the spiritual and physical aspects of a person, but the exact meaning of this usage remains ambiguous. Consequently, we reflect upon the phrase: and my soul, which Thou hast saved. Thus, concerning the inner lips that are held in hope, emerging from the depths of the earth through faith and love, yet still yearning for the redemption of our mortal bodies, as stated in Romans 8:23, what do we express? The answer has already been provided: and my soul, which Thou hast redeemed. However, to clarify that it is not just one soul that has been redeemed—of which you have just been reminded—there is also the addition of my tongue: thus, we now consider the tongue of the body. Therefore, throughout the day, I will reflect upon Thy righteousness.

My heart shall exult as I lift my voice in song to You. This is contrasted with the Law, as the commandments it contained were heavy and hard to keep; however, Your commands are both beneficial and gentle, allowing those who embrace them to fulfill them with joy. And my soul, which You have rescued from sinful decay, from bondage to the enemy, and from death itself.

He foretells the downfall of the Babylonians at the hands of Cyrus the Persian, alongside the upliftment of the Jewish people. This implies that once the Babylonians are overthrown, I will have the opportunity to return. In this moment, I will delight and find joy, praising Your blessings and continuously seeking to understand Your commandments.

David's declaration can be interpreted symbolically to represent Christians, whom he employs as his voice to offer praises to God. He expresses, I will sing to You with my soul, signifying that he, whom You have rescued from both seen and unseen adversaries, will glorify You.

Once more, David expresses his gratitude, aware that God will extend His aid to His devoted servants in the end, allowing them to exalt His benevolence. The mention of musical instruments like the harp and psaltery aligns with the practices of that era. It is evident that the use of such instruments during worship in the Jewish community was integral to their ceremonial observance. This alludes to the public and solemn acts of thanksgiving observed by the ancients. Today, while the use of musical instruments in private settings is permissible, their use in temples is restricted, as the clear expressions of the Holy Spirit guide us to speak and pray in a known tongue (1 Cor. 14:13).

The descendants of Jonadab are to be seen as exemplars of obedience, having faithfully adhered to their father Jonadab's commandments until the end; as a result, they received everlasting commendation from God (Jeremiah 35:18-19). They stand as a testament to unwavering faithfulness, contrasting with Adam and Eve, the initial captives of sin, who fell into captivity in Babylon due to their transgression against the heavenly Father’s ordinance. However, the Jewish people, who were among the first to be taken captive by Babylon as a consequence of their disobedience to God’s law, experienced a captivity that was distinctly different from that of the sons of Jonadab.