Psalm 71:1-14 (TNIV)
1 In you, LORD, I have taken refuge;
let me never be put to shame.
2 In your righteousness, rescue me and deliver me;
turn your ear to me and save me.
3 Be my rock of refuge,
to which I can always go;
give the command to save me,
for you are my rock and my fortress.
4 Deliver me, my God, from the hand of the wicked,
from the grasp of those who are evil and cruel.
5 For you have been my hope, Sovereign LORD,
my confidence since my youth.
6 From birth I have relied on you;
you brought me forth from my mother's womb.
I will ever praise you.
7 I have become like a portent* to many,
but you are my strong refuge.
8 My mouth is filled with your praise,
declaring your splendor all day long.
9 Do not cast me away when I am old;
do not forsake me when my strength is gone.
10 For my enemies speak against me;
those who wait to kill me conspire together.
11 They say, "God has forsaken him;
pursue him and seize him,
for no one will rescue him."
12 Do not be far from me, my God;
come quickly, God, to help me.
13 May my accusers perish in shame;
may those who want to harm me
be covered with scorn and disgrace.
14 As for me, I will always have hope;
I will praise you more and more.
[*a portent is like a bad omen, threat, or warning]
Have you ever needed to pray a psalm like this one? When? Was it a desperate or hopeless situation?
Do you think Jesus ever needed to pray a psalm like this one? When? Was it when there were threats out to arrest and kill him? Was it when he hung on the cross?
Look at verse 14 again. Could you tell God that even in the midst of your desperate or hopeless situation?
Do you think Jesus would have prayed verse 14? Why or why not?
Copy Psalm 71:14 on a note card. Put it somewhere, maybe by your computer or mirror, where you will see it often. Pray it, even when you do not think you can.
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