Add parallel Print Page Options

18 Now that I am old and my hair is gray,[a]
    do not abandon me, O God,
until I have extolled your might
    to all the generations yet to come,
your strength 19 and your righteousness, O God,
    to the highest heavens.
You have done great things;
    O God, who is there who is like you?
20 You have shown me many afflictions and hardships,
    but you will once again revive me.
From the depths of the earth[b]
    you will once again raise me up.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 71:18 Youth . . . old and . . . gray: this passage can be applied without difficulty to Israel to whom the Prophets apply images of youth (see Jer 2:2; Hos 2:15) and old age (see Isa 46:4; Hos 7:9; see also Ps 129:1f). Might: literally, “arm,” a prophetic image (see Isa 51:9; 53:1), used often with respect to the miracles of the Exodus. This passage (see Pss 22:31f; 78:5f; 102:19) shows how conscious the psalmists were of being bearers of tradition.
  2. Psalm 71:20 From the depths of the earth: the realm of the dead, which is entered by the grave (see note on Ps 30:2).

18 Even when I am old and gray,(A)
    do not forsake me, my God,
till I declare your power(B) to the next generation,
    your mighty acts to all who are to come.(C)

19 Your righteousness, God, reaches to the heavens,(D)
    you who have done great things.(E)
    Who is like you, God?(F)
20 Though you have made me see troubles,(G)
    many and bitter,
    you will restore(H) my life again;
from the depths of the earth(I)
    you will again bring me up.

Read full chapter