Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
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Psalms
Book: Psalms
Chapter: 71
Overview:
Prayers that
God would deliver and save.
(1-13) Believing
praises.
(14-24)
1-13 David prays that he might never be made ashamed of
dependence upon
God. With this petition every true believer may
come boldly to the
Throne of
Grace. The gracious care of Divine
Providence in our
Birth and infancy, should engage us to early
Piety. He that was our Help from our
Birth, ought to be our
Hope
from our youth. Let none expect ease or comfort from the world.
Those who
Love the
Lord, often are hated and persecuted; men
wondered at for their principles and conduct; but the
Lord has
been their strong
Refuge. The
Faithful servants of
God may be
assured that he will not cast them off in old
Age, nor forsake
them when their strength fails.
14-24 The psalmist declares that the
Righteousness of
Christ,
and the great
Salvation obtained thereby, shall be the
Chosen
subject of his discourse. Not
On a
Sabbath only, but
On every
Day of the
Week, of the
Year, of his
Life. Not merely at stated
returns of solemn devotion, but
On every occasion, all the
Day
long. Why will he always
Dwell On this? Because he knew not the
Numbers thereof. It is impossible to
Measure the value or the
Fulness of these blessings. The
Righteousness is unspeakable,
the
Salvation Everlasting.
God will not cast off his grey-headed
servants when
No longer capable of labouring as they have done.
The
Lord often strengthens his people in their souls, when
nature is sinking into decay. And it is a
Debt which the old
disciples of
Christ owe to succeeding generations, to leave
behind them a solemn
Testimony to the advantage of religion, and
the
Truth of
God's promises; and especially to the
Everlasting
Righteousness of the
Redeemer. Assured of deliverance and
victory, let us spend our days, while waiting the approach of
Death, in praising the Holy One of
Israel with all our powers.
And while speaking of his
Righteousness, and singing his
praises, we shall rise above fears and infirmities, and have
earnests of the joys of
Heaven. The work of
Redemption ought,
above all
God's
Works, to be spoken of
By us in our praises. The
Lamb that was slain, and has redeemed us to
God, is worthy of
all blessing and praise.