In You, O LORD, I Take Refuge
Devotional
Companion to the Psalter
A Devotional Guide to the Psalms
Object:
Upon you I have leaned from my birth ...
it was you who took me from my mother's womb ...
O God, from my youth you have taught me,
and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds.
So even to old age and gray hairs,
O God, do not forsake me,
until I proclaim your might
to all the generations to come ...
You who have made me see many troubles
and calamities will revive me again;
from the depths of the earth
you will bring me up again.
-- Psalm 71:6a, 17-18a, 20
Theme: Growing old gracefully
Outline
A prayer in three movements
1-8 -- Rescue me from the wicked, for I have leaned on you from birth, and I praise you for bringing me thus far safely.
9-16 -- Now that I'm getting old and facing more troubles, do not forsake me. I will always praise you for your mighty deeds.
17-24 -- Stay with me all the way, for I have lots of service to give you yet. Even in death -- comfort me again.
Notes
• Lament
• The prayer's threefold movement reminds us of Jesus' prayer in three "waves" in Gethsemane and of Saint Paul's threefold prayer in 2 Corinthians 12:7-10.
• Written by one who has lived a long life of grace, but who is having a bad time of it of late. He wants the best gift of God that he may tell everyone of God's great deeds of salvation.
• "Depths of the earth" is where Sheol was thought to be located (v. 20). Even in death God can revive him!
• Verses 1-3 are identical to Psalm 31:1-3.
For Reflection
• Can I say about God what the psalmist says of him? (vv. 3, 5, 7, 15, 20-21).
• Use the psalm to tell those things to the Lord in your prayer.
• Are we in some way "telling" others of God's grace and power?
Prayer
Lord God, your love has been with me all my life, bringing me to faith, teaching me to rejoice in your mighty acts in Christ for our salvation. Enable me to face old age and death with a trust in you, a joy in serving you, and a grateful anticipation of the resurrection through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
it was you who took me from my mother's womb ...
O God, from my youth you have taught me,
and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds.
So even to old age and gray hairs,
O God, do not forsake me,
until I proclaim your might
to all the generations to come ...
You who have made me see many troubles
and calamities will revive me again;
from the depths of the earth
you will bring me up again.
-- Psalm 71:6a, 17-18a, 20
Theme: Growing old gracefully
Outline
A prayer in three movements
1-8 -- Rescue me from the wicked, for I have leaned on you from birth, and I praise you for bringing me thus far safely.
9-16 -- Now that I'm getting old and facing more troubles, do not forsake me. I will always praise you for your mighty deeds.
17-24 -- Stay with me all the way, for I have lots of service to give you yet. Even in death -- comfort me again.
Notes
• Lament
• The prayer's threefold movement reminds us of Jesus' prayer in three "waves" in Gethsemane and of Saint Paul's threefold prayer in 2 Corinthians 12:7-10.
• Written by one who has lived a long life of grace, but who is having a bad time of it of late. He wants the best gift of God that he may tell everyone of God's great deeds of salvation.
• "Depths of the earth" is where Sheol was thought to be located (v. 20). Even in death God can revive him!
• Verses 1-3 are identical to Psalm 31:1-3.
For Reflection
• Can I say about God what the psalmist says of him? (vv. 3, 5, 7, 15, 20-21).
• Use the psalm to tell those things to the Lord in your prayer.
• Are we in some way "telling" others of God's grace and power?
Prayer
Lord God, your love has been with me all my life, bringing me to faith, teaching me to rejoice in your mighty acts in Christ for our salvation. Enable me to face old age and death with a trust in you, a joy in serving you, and a grateful anticipation of the resurrection through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
