"I will also praise thee with the psaltery, even thy truth, O my God: unto thee will I sing with the harp, O thou Holy One of Israel."
Psalm 71:22
Psalm 71 was written presumably by an older saint, by David or someone else. The Hebrew title does not make the author clear, but there are definite references to David’s other Psalms in this one. This Psalm has blessed many believers in their golden years.
“We have here THE PRAYER OF THE AGED BELIEVER, who in holy confidence of faith, strengthened by a long and remarkable experience, pleads against his enemies, and asks further blessings for himself” [1] (Charles Spurgeon).
The Psalm begins with an opening prayer (vv. 1-3). Later, it morphs into praise to the LORD, “for God’s faithfulness, holiness, redemption,” and His “righteous acts…” [2] (vv. 12-16). Then God’s answered prayer leads a believer to praise Him (vv. 22-24). Let’s focus on verse 22 and consider this writer’s praise.
“I will play the harp and praise you.
My God, I will sing about your faithfulness.
I will play songs on my lyre for the Holy One of Israel.”
(Psalm 71:22, [3] HSB).
“I will also praise thee with the psaltery.”
The psalmist is going to praise God with his music. He could play these stringed instruments (harp and lyre) and used them in his praise.
“Will Also Praise”
He “literally, ‘will thank’” [4] God for His goodness to him (see JFB).
How will he praise his God?
“…by shouting, and by telling of God’s acts” (vv. 15-17) [5] (BKC).
“Even thy truth, O my God.”
The fact that God is ever true is reason enough to praise His name!
“… as to Thy truth or faithfulness” [6] (JFB).
“I will make mention of thy truth and faithfulness in my songs of praise” [7] (Barnes).
“For in this manifestation of mercy to Israel God has shown Himself true to His promises” [8] (CB).
“This is ever a most enchanting attribute … the truth or faithfulness of our covenant God. On this, we rest, and from it, we draw streams of richest consolation. His promises are sure, His love unalterable, His veracity indisputable” [9] (Spurgeon).
“O My God”
Unlike the flippant and irreverent use of this expression by the unsaved world today, these words brought comfort and great significance to the author. Not only did the writer know that he belonged to God, but he also knew that God belonged to him.
“Unto thee will I sing with the harp.”
The psalmist plays musical instruments in his praise of Jehovah and also sings praise to the Lord. What an awesome thing it is to be able to sing His praise!
“O thou Holy One of Israel.”
This name for God is only used three times in the Psalms, 71:22; 78:41; and 89:18. [10] (BKC).
“The Holy One of Israel, rarely used outside Isaiah (where it occurs about forty times), this title holds together two things: God’s holiness and His identification with His people. He comes to us in the full reality of the divine nature, deigns to call us His and to allow us to call Him ours” [11] (NBC).
Dear aging or discouraged believer, we who have walked with the Lord for all these years have seen His truth and faithfulness in our lives daily. Now is not the time to doubt His goodness. He has proven His love for us over and over again! We may be weak, tired, and even sickly, but He is still faithful and true to us. Let’s spend our remaining days in His praise. Let’s show the next generations how He has met our needs. Remember that He is ours, and we are His, forever!
Quote:
“His forever, only His—
who the Lord and me shall part?
Ah, with what a rest of bliss
Christ can fill the loving heart.
Heav’n and earth may fade and flee,
firstborn light in gloom decline,
but while God and I shall be,
I am His, and He is mine.” [12]
[1] Spurgeon’s quote is borrowed from EWC – David Guzik. Enduring Word Commentary, the electronic version in eSword.
[2] NBC, J. A. Motyer, “The Psalms,” in New Bible Commentary: 21st Century Edition, ed. D. A. Carson et al., 4th ed. (Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press, 1994), 530.
[3] HSB is the Harvest Study Bible from Harvest Ministries in Guam.
[4] JFB, Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset, and David Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, vol. 1 (Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997), 368.
[5] BKC, Allen P. Ross, “Psalms,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 846.
[6] JFB, ibid.
[7] BNB – Albert Barnes. Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible, the electronic version in eSword.
[8] CB – Cambridge Bible, the electronic Bible notes in eSword.
[9] TOD – C.H. Spurgeon. Treasury of David, the electronic version in eSword.
[10] BKC, ibid.
[11] NBC, ibid.
[12] This is the fourth stanza of the song “Loved With Everlasting Love” by Wade Robinson (1838-1876). Tune: EVERLASTING LOVE. Copyright: Public Domain.