Psalm 71 (70):24Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

All day I will reflect on Your righteousness (Psalm 70:24), meaning throughout eternity. But when will this occur? It will be in the future, at the conclusion of the age, during the resurrection of the body, and the transition to the celestial realm. It is shown that concerning the end, my tongue shall also reflect on Your righteousness continually. Those who pursue my harm will ultimately be ashamed and will feel disgrace. When will they feel this shame? It will not be at the end of the age? They will experience shame in two ways: either by coming to faith in Christ or when Christ returns.

Once my spiritual adversaries are vanquished and those who reside in the depths are wrapped in disgrace, I shall, without any barriers remaining, continually exalt You, O Lord, with songs of praise.

He foretells the downfall of the Babylonians at the hands of Cyrus the Persian and the uplifting of the Jewish people. This signifies that once the Babylonians are overthrown, I will have the opportunity to return. Seizing this moment, I will celebrate and find joy, rejoicing in Your blessings and consistently seeking to understand Your teachings.

My tongue shall proclaim Your righteousness throughout the entirety of each day. It has been stated repeatedly that the phrase "throughout the entirety of each day" signifies perpetual devotion; thus, dear reader, this must remain ingrained in your mind. He continues by affirming, "My tongue will engage in proclaiming Your righteousness," meaning to declare that You, O Lord, are its Creator, having brought judgment upon my adversaries. When those who seek evil against me are finally shamed, He declares that He will fulfil what He has promised, being completely freed from His foes, and we have already discussed truth in this context. Those who desire my harm are indeed the same as those who aspire to bring about my downfall, as we elaborated in Psalm 12:37.

In this passage, David expresses gratitude, recognizing that God will provide assistance to His faithful servants so they may honor His goodness. The mention of musical instruments such as the harp and psaltery reflects the practices of that era, as singing accompanied by these instruments was an integral part of worship within the Jewish faith. This highlights the public and formal acts of thanksgiving performed by the ancients. Today, while it is acceptable to use musical instruments in private settings, their use in places of worship must align with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, as Paul instructs us to communicate and pray in a language understood by all (1 Cor. 14:13). By “truth,” he signifies that the divine deliverance he has received serves as a fitting reward for his hope.

The descendants of Jonadab are exemplars of obedience, having adhered to their father’s commandments without fail, which earned them enduring commendation from God (Jeremiah 35:18-19). They stand as a model of faithful obedience, contrasting with the original captives of sin, Adam and Eve, who were led into Babylon due to their transgression against the will of the Heavenly Father. The Jews, initially held captive in Babylon, likewise suffered for their defiance of God's law, highlighting a separation between their captivity and that of Jonadab's sons. Celebrated in the title of this psalm, the sons of Jonadab serve as a reminder for all who willingly follow God's commands and a call to repentance for those who stray from His directives.