Psalm 71 (70):3Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

It is told that a man from the mountaintop shouted as the emperor passed by, "I do not speak of you," and another turned back to proclaim, "Neither do I think of you." He looked down upon the emperor, regardless of the imperial regalia and powerful legions. From where? From a place of strength. If he found safety on the heights of the earth, how much more secure are you with the One who created heaven and earth? If I select a different retreat for myself, I shall find no safety. Indeed, choose wisely, O man, if you can locate a more fortified refuge. Yet there exists no haven away from Him, except in turning to Him. If you flee from Him in wrath, run to Him in peace. You are my firmament and my stronghold. What is my firmament? Because of You, I stand strong, and through You, I am secure. For You are my firmament and my refuge: that You may fortify me in whatever areas I am feeble within myself, I will seek shelter in You. It is the grace of Christ that grants you resilience against the trials presented by the adversary. Still, human frailty remains; the original bondage persists, there exists the law within my members, battling against the law of reason, ready to carry the captive into the law of sin: (Rom. 7:23) and still, the decaying body weighs down the soul. (Prem. 9:15) Regardless of how steadfast you are in God's grace, while you bear this earthly vessel that contains God's treasure, there is cause for concern from that same fragile vessel. (2 Cor. 4:7) Therefore, You are my firmament, so I might remain steadfast against all temptations in this life. And if they are numerous and overwhelm me, You are my sanctuary. For I admit to my frailty, timid as a hare, filled with the vulnerabilities of a hedgehog. As another psalm declares, "The Rock is a refuge for hedgehogs and hares," and that Rock is Christ. (1 Cor. 10:4)

Some believe this Psalm was composed in response to Absalom's treachery, and the mention of David's old age lends credibility to this view. Faith alone enables entrance to God, and to secure what he petitions for, David asserts that his prayers are sincere rather than hypocritical; he is deeply convinced that salvation lies in God’s might. A person who wavers in their thoughts, easily distracted and uncertain of their course, and does not focus on God, is unworthy of divine aid. The phrase "into the ages" at the end of the first verse can be interpreted in two ways: it may suggest a contrast between current distress and the joyful resolution David anticipates, or it may denote an eternal assurance, as if to say, I trust in You, O Lord, and not in myself or any other being; this is why I am confident that I will never be ashamed. The remaining verses bear a notable resemblance to the opening of Psalm 30, and since they have been previously discussed, they are left unexplained here.

2:25), who may have particularly recited this psalm during their wanderings on the fringes of Palestine or amidst the siege by Nebuchadnezzar in Jerusalem. Similarly, it appears that this psalm was cherished by the early captives of Israel, perhaps following the downfall of the northern kingdom or during the initial exile; they likely used it as a prayer for the deliverance of their people. The opening of this psalm draws from Psalm 30, encompassing a hopeful plea for divine listening, salvation, and safeguarding (vv. 1-3).

In this psalm, the prophet earnestly appeals to God, asking that in his old age, He may be as much a Helper and Savior as He was during his youth, protecting him from both visible and unseen foes. The prophet calls everyone to be captivated by the obedience of Christ the Lord, with the promise of liberation from sin and the hope of being freed from its bondage through His death, which will bring salvation to the first captives and all faithful servants of God, granting them eternal life (2 Cor. 10:5; Rom. 6:10).