David was an old man when he wrote this psalm. Do not cast me off in the time of old age (v.9). Now also when I am old and gray-headed, O God, do not forsake me (v.18).
In it he faces the problems that go with old age: failing strength, unfinished business and unrelenting enemies.
But he does not despair. Instead, he turns to the Lord in prayer, expresses a strong confidence in him, and resolves to praise him as long as life lasts.
- The Problems of Old Age
He addresses the problem of failing strength in verse 9: Do not cast me off in the time of old age; Do not forsake me when my strength fails. Solomon also talks about this problem in Ecclesiastes 12:1-5. Pleasure in life fades (v.1), the hands tremble, the back bows, teeth fail and eyes grow dim (v.3), hearing becomes dull, sleep departs (v.4), and fears increase (v.5). Chronic diseases plague the body. Daily tasks become more and more difficult and wearying. Reliance on others increases until we have become again like babies, dressed, fed and cared for by others.
With this failing strength there can also be the knowledge of unfinished business, perhaps business that should have been done before but was put off so that there is also a sense of guilt, or a desire to turn the clock back and relive some aspects of our lives. David also believed that there was more for him to do, and what important business it is that he describes! He wanted to declare God’s strength to his own generation, his power to everyone who was to come (18). Even in the frailty of old age he did not think of what others might do for him, but of what he could do for others.
The third problem for David was enemies. The hand of wicked, unrighteous and cruel men was against him (v.4). They took counsel together against him saying, God has forsaken him; Pursue and take him, for there is none to deliver him (v.10–11). They did not pity him in his weakness and relent from their opposition, but instead took advantage and pressed him even more. Satan does not stop kicking us when we are down; he sees our weakness as an opportunity. Old age may bring different temptations, but not weaker ones. The world and the flesh are still active, and troubles and trials often increase. For many old age is a time of struggle against an overwhelming desire to give up, to lay down the weapons of our warfare and to drift quietly into death. But as long as we are here, God calls us to lift feeble hands, strengthen weak knees and fight the good fight of faith.
2. Petitions for Old Age
David was not ready to quit. This psalm is not a psalm of despair, not even a psalm of struggle, but primarily a psalm of turning to God and seeking his help. Look for a moment at all the petitions in it, especially in the first half.
Let me never be put to shame (v.1). That means far more than, Do not let me suffer embarrassment before others. It means, Do not allow my godly purposes and hopes to be frustrated, and thus bring shame on me. Do not allow my spiritual strength to fail so that I fall into sin. Do not let my enemies triumph over me. Uphold me in your way.
Deliver me in your righteousness and cause me to escape… Be my strong refuge (v.2–3). Instead of “strong refuge” NASB has “rock of habitation.” That’s closer to the Hebrew. David wants not just a place of refuge, but a home, a place of both peace and security, to which he may continually resort.
Do not cast me off in the time of old age; Do not forsake me when my strength fails (v.9). I am growing weak, but you are strong and able to make me strong. My flesh and my heart fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever (Ps 73:26).
O God, do not be far from me; O my God, make haste to help me (v.12). That is David’s response to his enemies’ assertion that God has forsaken him. Even though he feels forsaken, he can still pray and urgently asks that God stay close by his side and come quickly to his help before the enemies overwhelm him.
Let them be confounded and consumed who are adversaries of my life (v.13). The word translated as “confounded” is the same word that in verse 1 is translated as “put to shame.” “Do not let me be put to shame, but put my enemies to shame. Confound their plans and purposes against me, and bring on them public disgrace both before you and before all men.”
Do not forsake me when I am old and gray-headed (v.18). The word forsake is the same one that he used in verse 9 (Do not forsake me when my strength fails) and in verse 11 (God has forsaken him). David’s response to the assertion that he is forsaken, is to call on God not to forsake.
In these petitions, therefore, he responds to all three of the problems mentioned above. His answer to the failing strength of old age is, Be my strong refuge. To the problem of unfinished business he replies, Do not forsake me until I declare your strength to this generation. To the problem of enemies he answers, Do not let me be shamed; shame them instead.
3. Confidence in Old Age
The psalm is also full of expressions of confidence. We do not see David here as we see him, for example, in Psalm 6 – deeply troubled and shaken. Instead, we see him resolute and spiritually strong even in the infirmities of old age. You are my rock and my fortress (v.3). You are my hope, O LORD God; you are my trust from my youth (v.5). I will go in the strength of the LORD God (v.16). Your righteousness [by which you deliver me, v.2], O God, is very high, You who have done great things. Who is like you? (v.19). You, who have shown me great and severe troubles, shall revive me again, and bring me up again from the depths of the earth (v.20). You shall increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side (v.21). My enemies are confounded and brought to shame (v.24).
He has complete confidence that God will not fail him. He founds that trust partly on the Lord’s merciful dealings in the past: You are my trust from my youth. He applies that trust to the present: You are my rock and my fortress. He has hope for the future: You will revive me again. There is no weakness or lack of help in God. With him is abundant redemption (Ps 130:7).
4. Praise in Old Age
Out of this strong confidence arises praise.
David speaks often in this psalm of declaring the praises of the Lord. First is a public declaration of the glory of God, so that all men, and especially the coming generation, may hear of him. My mouth shall tell of your righteousness and your salvation all the day, for I do not know their limits (v.15). I will make mention of your righteousness, of yours only (v.16). To this day I declare your wondrous works (v.17). …Until I declare your strength to this generation, your power to everyone who is to come (v.18). Second is praise given directly to God.
Also with the lute I will praise You – And your faithfulness, O my God! To you I will sing with the harp, O Holy One of Israel. My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing to You, And my soul which you have redeemed. My tongue also shall talk of your righteousness all the day long (vv.22–24).
There is a strong emphasis on righteousness in that praise. The word appears five times (vv. 2,15,16,19 and 24). That righteousness is the righteousness of God in Jesus Christ and therefore the gift of righteousness that he gives to us in him.
These two are not mutually exclusive. Praise of God to men is for God, and praise to God in song is often before men.
David’s answer to the problems of old age is prayer, confidence in God and praise for his unfailing strength and righteousness. Indeed, it may be said of him, They shall still bear fruit in old age; They shall be fresh and flourishing (Ps 92:14).