Psalms 71:9
Do not cast me off in the time of old age;
forsake me not when my strength is spent.
Tag: Old Age
The writer of this Psalm is drawing to the close of life. He, apparently, is under attack and has accusers (vs. 13); enemies (vs. 10); is facing the wicked (vs 4) and many bad circumstances and calamities (vs. 20). In his old age he is calling to remembrance the “mighty deeds” of God (vs 16) and all the “wondrous deeds” (vs 17) of God. His enemies are saying:
“God has forsaken Him; pursue and seize him, for there is none to deliver him.” (11).
Where does a man turn to, who has trusted in God and seen might and wondrous deeds all his youth? Better, who does he turn to? This is the context of the above verse. The writer is asking God to continue His faithfulness to him. He has seen God’s faithfulness and experienced it over and over. He wants to proclaim it to the next generation (v. 18). He cries out and asks God to not forsake him (“cast” him off) in his old age. The Hebrew word for the phrase “cast me off” is first used in Genesis. Hager was told to leave Abraham and take her son, Ismael, into the desert. When she finishes the last of the drink they have she takes young Ismael and “puts him under” a bush to die. This is the same Hebrew word. The writer of this Psalms does not want to be put under a bush to die. In his old age he still believes he is profitable. He still believes he has something to offer the next generation. He wants everyone to know of God’s greatness and they are past his knowledge:
Psalms 71:15
My mouth will tell of your righteous acts,
of your deeds of salvation all the day,
for their number is past my knowledge.
His old age is not to be spent in “retirement” - it is to be spent in teaching and showing the greatness of God and God’s character. This is why he is saying/asking: Do not cast me off in the time of old age! He still has work to do.
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