71:1 In you, O Yahweh, I have taken refuge Those who take refuge in God are described as blessed or happy (2:12; 5:11; 118:8–9). See 7:1 and note.

let me never be put to shame The Hebrew word bosh, meaning “shame,” often represents the result of misplaced trust. Here, the psalmist prays that his trust in Yahweh will be vindicated. See note on 25:2.

71:2 righteousness deliver me Refers to God’s just judgment (see 9:8). Because the psalmist believes himself to be righteous, he also believes that God, as a just judge, should protect him and punish the wicked.

71:3 a rock of refuge Describes a secure location and emphasizes the safety and protection of Yahweh. See 18:1–3 and note.

71:4 the evildoer and the oppressor The Hebrew words used here, me'awwel (sometimes translated “evildoer”) and chomets (which may be translated “oppressor”), emphasizes that the psalmist’s enemies are violently oppressive and unjust—a stark contrast with the lifelong faithfulness of the psalmist (vv. 5–8).

71:5 from my youth Appealing to God’s righteousness, the psalmist asserts that God is his hope. He shows his loyalty to God by acknowledging that he has trusted God since he was young.

71:6 from the womb of my mother The psalmist notes his lifelong faithfulness as part of his appeal for God to deliver him from his current afflictions. See 22:9–10 and note.

71:7 a wonder The Hebrew word used here, mopheth, is typically used to describe a sign from God that serves as a warning (see Exod 7:3; Deut 6:22; 1 Kgs 13:3).

71:9 Do not cast me away The psalmist has trusted God all his life (Ps 71:5–6); he asks God not to forsake him in his old age. See 22:1 and note.

71:11 God has abandoned him The psalmist’s petition in v. 9 becomes more meaningful in light of his enemies’ claims. They look on his suffering—concluding that God must have forsaken him—and look for an opportunity to take advantage of the situation.

71:12 O God, do not be far from me Lament psalms frequently express a feeling of God’s distance and an appeal for God to draw near.

71:13 Let them be ashamed; let them perish who are my adversaries The psalmist asks God to shame his enemies. Compare v. 1.

71:19 the height of heaven Describes the magnitude and greatness of God’s righteousness. See 57:10 and note.

O God, who is like you A rhetorical question demonstrating that no one can compare to God (see 35:10; Exod 15:11).

71:20 You who have caused me to see many troubles Even though he is not suffering because of sin, the psalmist still attributes his suffering to God—it is unclear if the psalmist means that God has caused his suffering, allowed it, or a combination of the two (see Ps 60:1–3).

from the depths of the earth See Gen 1:2 and note; Job 38:16 and note.

71:22 with a stringed instrument It is unclear whether the Hebrew word used here, nevel, refers precisely to a harp—it is certain that it refers to a stringed instrument.

with a lyre The Hebrew word used here, kinnor, refers to some sort of stringed instrument associated with celebration and worship.

71:23 will sing for joy To cry out or exult (ranan) is the proper response to Yahweh’s greatness.

you have redeemed The Hebrew word used here, padah—which may be rendered “to ransom” or “to redeem”—frequently refers to rescuing someone from trouble or affliction (Deut 7:8).

71:24 all the day The psalmist states that after God helps him, he will continue to praise God and tell others how God righteously delivered him. Compare Ps 71:6, 14.

they have been put to shame, because they have been humiliated The psalmist praises God for fulfilling his earlier petition that God shame his enemies (see v. 13). This could be a praise of hope, showing complete confidence in what God will do.