Scripture Text (NRSV)
Psalm 71:1-6
71:1 In you, O LORD, I take refuge; let me never be put to shame.
71:2 In your righteousness deliver me and rescue me; incline your
ear to me and save me.
71:3 Be to me a rock of refuge, a strong fortress, to save me, for
you are my rock and my fortress.
71:4 Rescue me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the
grasp of the unjust and cruel.
71:5 For you, O Lord, are my hope, my trust, O LORD, from my youth.
71:6 Upon you I have leaned from my birth; it was you who took
me from my mother's womb. My praise is continually of you.
Comments:
There are a few recurring themes here, which related to the other
reading in Jer. 1:4-10. The themes of youth, and of God rescuing us.
What standing out for me is how David's spiritual formation took
place. Here he said, "I have leaned upon You from my birth" and "You
are my hope, my trust from my youth". Unlike Moses or Paul who
encountered the Living God then become His followers, David was His
follower all along, by the time he faced Goliath in 1Sam. Yahweh was
already his Living God, then he saw that God in action.
I am thinking and praying so much about the next generation of the
church, (perhaps out of self-interest of preserving my 4 years old
son's faith in the future). They/he will face a much more massive
gigantic enemies compare to mine. Will they/he able to face the
enemies and discern their weaknesses like the case of Goliath's
exposed forehead? Will they/he be able to know when to run and hide
like in the case against Saul? How can I ultimately teach/train
them/him to find a refuge in God?
All I can submit, are the questions. You have the answers, oh God.
Coho, Midway City
Psalm 71 sounds the same promise that Jeremiah heard: we are known by
God, who is always faithful to us. The psalmist's plea for protection
recognizes God has been faithful in the past and God will offer the
help and comfort we need in the future. How would our prayers change
if we trusted how thoroughly and completely we are known by God?
The first three verses of Psalm 71 are almost identical to the first
three verses of Psalm 31, also a "Psalm of David." There are a couple
of interesting differences. Psalm 31 has, "In you, O Lord, I SEEK
refuge," while Psalm 71 has, "In you, O Lord, I TAKE refuge." Could it
be that "David" learned a thing or two over the years about trusting
in God - no longer having to seek, knowing he can take? The other
difference is that, in Psalm 31, the plea is, "incline your ear to me
and rescue me speedily." Psalm 71 simply has, "incline your ear to me
and save me." The impatience of Psalm 31 is replaced by simple,
matter-of-fact trust in Psalm 71. I like this Psalm more and more with
each passing year! -Paul in Sparkle City
On the gospel site, Christine at the Shore related some information
about the Bentover Woman's possible medical condition. It seems as
though it started with her leaning over to relieve back pain. The
leaning was the conduit for the crippling spirit to bind her body.
Psalm 71 also talks about leaning, but not to relieve pain or as the
avenue for bondage. We lean to gain support from our Creator, who
takes us from our mother's womb. The question is...can we distinguish
between the supportive leaning on God with the escapism from pain?
Is there anything here?
RB in PA
perhaps we can conceive of a nurturing, more supportive aspect of God.
The psalmist could be discribing God as the support for living. Then
whether one is standing straight, or bent over, God is there.
Shalom
bammamma
"Upon you I have leaned from my birth", the people who coordinate the
lectionary reading must have been anchored their selection according
to the Gospel reading. (We are reading about the 'Bent-over woman'
this week in Luke 13).
Apart from that setting, Psalm 71 is a cry for deliverance. Reading
the whole Psalm brought up some interesting points. The author
lamented about his old and gray, that God has made him see troubles
and many bitters, but he "continually praise" God and hope for
restoration. He also continue in the work of "declare God's power to
the next generation", and to "all who are to come".
I remember my 70 years old senior pastor as I read these words. Still
going strong shepherding the flock after all these years. I just pray
that God will help me to grow old like this. Be able to continually
rely and hope in God, worship and serve God, until the day I see Him
face to face.
Coho, Midway City.
Hey wait a minute - didn't we study this Psalm already in Jan.? I
noticed my own post dated 1/21/04 here... I thought the lectionary
text won't repeat until 3 more years...
Coho.
