The Prayer of a Mature Believer
Believers that have lived a life of faithfulness to the Lord bring spiritual security and stability to the life of the church. Here in Psalm 71, we can see the prayer of a believer that has lived a long life of faithfulness to the Lord. This mature believer is facing troubling circumstances from the wicked of the world and prays to God or help.
His prayer to God begins with a prayer of confidence in the Lord. From his youth he has taken refuge in the Lord (71:1,3), and has put his trust in God (71:5). He understands that all along it has been God that has protected him and made him secure. (71:5). He praises God for His glory-His attributes that have been seen throughout the psalmist’s life (71:8).
After expressing his confidence in the Lord the psalmist says a prayer to God for help. Just because one ages the schemes of the wicked do not stop. The aged saint sees his enemies colluding to bring him harm (71:10). They attack his faith (71:11) and say that he is all alone with no one to help him. The psalmists hears this and asks God to hasten to his help (71:12).
Even in the midst of great trouble the psalmist says a prayer of hope to the Lord. Unlike the wicked who will be ashamed and destroyed, the psalmist’s hope and praise will continue all the more (71:14). He will praise God in the midst of His people, for His mighty acts are beyond number (71:15-16).
The psalmist ends with a prayer of celebration to the Lord. God is his redeemer and Lord, and he will shout with joy at the greatness of the Lord (71:22-24). God is just, He will vindicate His people (71:24).