Psalms project

The Psalms project has been on hold for a while. For various reasons. Often, “too busy” and “no time” are the first excuses I give. But that’s not really true. Because if something is important enough, you make time for it. It’s more like “no space in my head.” But now that we’ve moved and all the materials are within reach in the study, it’s “time” for the next step. A new sketchbook, a new psalm.

Psalm 71
A Psalm in which the psalmist is old, his body weak and frail, and those around him know it. They say that God has forsaken him and see their chance to take advantage of him.
What stands out tremendously is the psalmist’s response.

From a young age, he has placed his trust in God, his hope is in God. (verse 5)

Wait a minute. He is being attacked, he no longer has the strength to defend himself or even to run away. And in that place, he calls to God for salvation (verse 2). So far – logical and recognizable. How often do we do that? Things aren’t going well, we’re in trouble, and we can’t find a solution or way out with our own strength.

But what does the psalmist do?
Verse 8: “My mouth is filled with Your praise, with Your glory all day long.”

He is focused on God. Regardless of how he feels, regardless of what is happening around him, and regardless of what is happening in his life! He speaks of God, gives God honor, and has God’s glory as his focus!

Still recognizable in your own life?

This focus is not an escape. He is not transporting himself into a fantasy world where reality doesn’t exist. No, he knows very well what is happening around him and in his life.
Verse 13: “Let those be ashamed and consumed who are adversaries to my soul; let them be covered with reproach and dishonor who seek my hurt.”

Feelings of revenge?
Let’s look a bit further, at verses 18 and 19: “Do not cast me off in the time of old age; do not forsake me when my strength fails. For my enemies have spoken against me, and those who watch for my life have consulted together, saying, ‘God has forsaken him; pursue and seize him, for there is no one to deliver.'”

The desire to proclaim God, to speak of His glory and honor, to tell who God is, is immense. Let those who seek my harm be ashamed, because they will realize that You, my God, have not forsaken me and they will understand that they are not taking me down, but You. When they see this, they will be ashamed, they will be covered in disgrace and reproach and will perish. And give me the chance to tell this generation who You are!

Still recognizable?

The psalmist may be physically weak in his old age. His spirit, however, has grown in God throughout his life. Through his focus and the discipline to keep that focus, he knows how to stand firm now. And more than that! He is not focused on surviving; no, he is focused on telling who God is and wants to tell this generation about God’s honor and glory – for who is like Him? It’s not about him; he says in verse 16, he is not the central figure in his life. His life is about God, about Him alone.

To respond like this in times of struggle, crisis, and difficulty, you need to make this principle your own. The psalmist lives every day this way: focused on God’s honor and glory, on God’s greatness, desiring to know God even more, even though he knows that God is so great that he realizes he will never fully know Him on earth, proclaiming who God is and praising God. From his youth, God has been his hope and trust. What a richness!