Psalms 71 — Cast Me Not Off In the Time of Old Age
In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion. Be thou my strong habitation. Thou art my hope, O Lord God: thou art my trust from my youth. By thee have I been holden up from the womb. Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength faileth. O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, forsake me not.
“Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength faileth.”
— Psalm 71:9
- v.1-8 Trust from youth
- v.9-21 Cast me not off in old age
- v.22-24 Praise with the harp
Until I have shewed. The aged believer's mission. Tell the next generation what God has done.
A purpose for long life. The elderly have a sermon to preach to the young.
Verse 18 is the elderly Christian's assignment. Pass the story to the next generation; the years are not for retirement but for testimony.
Christ's strength was shown to His generation; the chapter's prayer is the believer's commission to keep showing it.
A prayer for the elderly. The strength fails; the prayer rises.
A verse for any reader thinking ahead. Old age comes; prepare the prayer.