Psalm 071 - Anchor For Our Souls - Aneel Aranha
In you, LORD, I have taken refuge;
let me never be put to shame.
In your righteousness, rescue me and deliver me;
turn your ear to me and save me.
Be my rock of refuge,
to which I can always go;
give the command to save me,
for you are my rock and my fortress.
Deliver me, my God, from the hand of the wicked,
from the grasp of those who are evil and cruel.
For you have been my hope, Sovereign LORD,
my confidence since my youth.
From birth I have relied on you;
you brought me forth from my mother’s womb.
I will ever praise you.
I have become a sign to many;
you are my strong refuge.
My mouth is filled with your praise,
declaring your splendor all day long.
Do not cast me away when I am old;
do not forsake me when my strength is gone.
For my enemies speak against me;
those who wait to kill me conspire together.
They say, “God has forsaken him;
pursue him and seize him,
for no one will rescue him.”
Do not be far from me, my God;
come quickly, God, to help me.
May my accusers perish in shame;
may those who want to harm me
be covered with scorn and disgrace.
As for me, I will always have hope;
I will praise you more and more.
My mouth will tell of your righteous deeds,
of your saving acts all day long—
though I know not how to relate them all.
I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, Sovereign LORD;
I will proclaim your righteous deeds, yours alone.
Since my youth, God, you have taught me,
and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds.
Even when I am old and gray,
do not forsake me, my God,
till I declare your power to the next generation,
your mighty acts to all who are to come.
Your righteousness, God, reaches to the heavens,
you who have done great things.
Who is like you, God?
Though you have made me see troubles,
many and bitter,
you will restore my life again;
from the depths of the earth
you will again bring me up.
You will increase my honor
and comfort me once more.
I will praise you with the harp
for your faithfulness, my God;
I will sing praise to you with the lyre,
Holy One of Israel.
My lips will shout for joy
when I sing praise to you—
I whom you have delivered.
My tongue will tell of your righteous acts
all day long,
for those who wanted to harm me
have been put to shame and confusion.
We aren't sure who wrote Psalm 71, but it is a beautiful and heartfelt prayer of trust and dependence on God in the face of adversity. It expresses the psalmist's desire for God's deliverance and protection, especially in old age. I am sure the thought of getting old frightens many of us. And, yet again, we find the psalmist referring to God as a rock and fortress, acknowledging him as a source of refuge and strength.
This psalm reminds me of Hebrews 6:18-20, which speaks of our hope in Christ as an anchor for our souls. An anchor serves as a beautiful metaphor for stability amid turbulence. For a ship, it serves several important purposes. It keeps the vessel from drifting away, provides stability and balance, and ensures the ship remains secure even in the face of powerful currents or turbulent waves. Similarly, Jesus serves as our spiritual anchor, offering us stability, security, and a sense of rootedness in the midst of life's challenges.
When we encounter difficulties, disappointments, or uncertainties, it is easy to feel adrift and unstable. We may face storms of doubt, fear, or despair that threaten to overwhelm us. But in those moments, Christ as our anchor keeps us rooted in his truth, reminding us of his promises, and offering us stability amidst the shifting circumstances of life.
The psalmist's plea for deliverance and protection also resonates in the teachings of Jesus. "In this world you will have trouble, "he says. "But take heart! I have overcome the world" (John 16:33). Therefore, let us not fear anything but trust in God's faithfulness at all times and in all circumstances. Just like the psalmist does.
God bless you.
