Psalm 71

A Prayer For Old Age

Why are people concerned about their reputations? Why is this concern more pronounced in old age?

In spite of America’s youth culture, age has some advantages. Age allows one to look back in time, even over decades, to judge the meaning of life. What is the purpose of my life? Has my life justified my values? What do I regret? What don’t I regret?

In ancient culture, age would have asked two other questions. How have I acted honorably? How have I acted shamefully? Honor attracts friends and allies. Shame creates enemies. Of course, life is not that simple. The honorable and the shameful are adversaries. No one, not even the honorable, go throughout life without enemies. The person who has striven to live an honorable life might feel alone in an indifferent environment; he or she might feel surrounded by the shameful.

Psalm 71 is the prayer of an elderly person who has lived an honorable life. As the strength of youth escaped him, the psalmist found his only refuge in a faith relationship with God (71:1-3). This was his strength, his only assurance. Younger people, especially those who sought the position the psalmist possibly had (priest or scribe?), might have employed shameful methods to “climb the ladder” to success. What was the elderly person’s recourse? Prayer (71:4-7) despite what evil others might think (71:7a).

The elderly man suffered from the modern disease of obsolescence. He was expendable, for he had few friends. Yet, he implored God to rescue him, to maintain his position in the community. He prayed for shame on his enemies and a chance to proclaim the great deeds of God. Such announcements and teaching gave the old psalmist his purpose. (71:9-16)

The psalm ended with a prayer for revival. Life for the elderly psalmist had only one meaning: the chance to praise God and proclaim his mighty works. This hope gave the elderly man comfort. In the culture of ancient Israel, praise and proclamation of God was honorable. Even at the end of life, such activity gave the psalmist honor and shamed his adversaries. (71:17-24)

Psalm 71 give us a template for aging. Getting older doesn’t guarantee we make and keep friends. It doesn’t insure reputation. In fact, as we grow older, we might feel life and opportunity has passed us by. But, as long as we have breathe and life and lucidity, we have a chance to give our life purpose. Like the author of Psalm 71, we have a chance to show our love and respect for God. We have a chance to praise our Maker and extol his works, even to our critics.

How have you praised God this week? How have you told others about what God has done for you? How has this praise and proclamation given you hope?