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 GENRE:
LAMENT - As a lament, this psalm would have been sung in time of great trouble. Laments
generally contains a statement of the writer’s distress, a word of trust, an appeal
to God, a declaration about the poet’s obedience, and a vow to sing a Thanksgiving.
[1] In this case, the one lamenting could possibly be an older person who is in trouble
and who reminds God of all of God’s past faithfulness.
PUTTING IT RIGHT - As Jeremiah reminds us (the first lesson for Epiphany IV), so in
Psalm 71, all of our life stages belong to God-birth (v.6), youth (v. 17), and old age
(vs. 9, 18). Thus this psalm reflects a commingling of the affirmation of how God puts
things right and petitions that draw upon that precedent of faithfulness. Looking at this
psalm in its entirety, we can observe the strong sense of confident vows of praise and
thanksgiving in the presence of enemies-and that the suppliant will not be put to shame
nor disgraced. [2]
JOHN BUNYON [17TH c] - The best prayers have often more groans than words.
CLARENCE DAY - He didn’t actually accuse God of inefficiency, but when he
prayed his tone was loud and angry, like that of a dissatisfied guest in a carelessly
managed hotel.
 Which would you rather keep and
why: (a) The mind of a 20-year old, while your body ages? (b) The body of a 20-year old,
while your mind ages?
What gets better with age? What gets worse?
What do you fear most about growing older: (a) Failing health? (b) Failing mind? (c)
Becoming dependent? (d) Death of family members? (e) Your own death?
 Though this is a poem / hymn / lament
type of literary form and thus, should not be dissected for its literal realities, you
still might use this psalm as a way to think about the issue of aging in our current
culture. Do some research, raise some concerns, and listen to the psalm (and perhaps other
appropriate scriptures) as a way to offer hope and trust in God’s promise to be
faithful.
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