The infirmity of old age is the burden of a fleshly temple ravaged over time by disease and increasing weakness of mind and body. Solomon spoke of the descent into the difficult days when affliction and sadness burden life, the arms and hands tremble, the legs bow down, teeth are few and the eyes grow dim, hearing is lost and the voice is softer, the almond tree blossoms, and the appetite fails. Death swallows us up as the silver cord is loosed, the golden bowl is broken, and the pitcher shatters at the fountain (Ecclesiastes 12). Mankind looks upon old age as a time of great difficulty; and despair sometimes sets in. We tend to feel that life, for all its good, is over, and there is nothing left for us to do.
The author of Psalm 71 is unknown. What a wonder it would be to declare his name to all generations, but in God's wisdom, the writer's name remains a mystery. Vibrant in this Psalm is the spirit of a person who discovers that old age is not the end but a continuance of what he has sought to do throughout his life. Psalm 71 is a declaration of trust and hope in the Lord--not an end of things. Trust is proclaimed in verses one and five, with hope the surety of faith (vv. 5, 14). The author does not express thoughts of giving up; rather, he speaks of much work to be done.
His faith in the Lord is as secure as a "strong habitation" and a "rock" and a "fortress" (v. 3). He is oppressed by the wicked but will not allow them to destroy his faith in the blessings of Jehovah God (v. 4). His Lord's love has guided him from youth (vv. 5, 6), and his life is a testimony of Jehovah's grace. His enemies marvel at his faith and the longevity of his trust in Jehovah. He begs Jehovah not to forsake him "in the time of old age" (v. 9).
The aged author is not ready to give up serving the Lord. He is doing everything he can to reaffirm his willingness to establish righteousness, obey, praise, and honor the God he has faithfully served. His mouth will not be silent but "tell of Your righteousness and Your salvation all the day" (v. 15). His body may have been weakened by the passing of time, but he declares that he will "go in the strength of the Lord God" (v. 16). Can you see the gleam in his eye? Can you feel the strength in his voice as he tells the old, old story? His work is not over; it continues.
He cannot cease telling people about His God. The Lord has been his teacher from youth (v. 17), and he feels compelled to tell every generation about the wondrous things Jehovah God has done in his life. He writes, "And even when I am old and gray, O God, do not forsake me, until I declare Your strength to this generation, Your power to all who are to come." (Psalm 71:18) There are stories to tell, lessons to teach, souls to touch, and works to do. The generations that come after him must hear the good news. The young folks must know about the power of Jehovah God. His life is a living testimony to God's strength and power.
"O God, who is like You?" (v. 19) He knows the Lord will care for him and give him strength to carry on. He praises Him for His faithfulness, redemption, and righteousness (vv. 22-24). There is a lot of spark left in this aged man. There is a lot of work to be done, even when we are old and gray-headed. May we never stop serving the Lord until the time comes to lay our armor down; then rest!