Psalm 71 11

Psalm 71:11 kjv

Saying, God hath forsaken him: persecute and take him; for there is none to deliver him.

Psalm 71:11 nkjv

Saying, "God has forsaken him; Pursue and take him, for there is none to deliver him."

Psalm 71:11 niv

They say, "God has forsaken him; pursue him and seize him, for no one will rescue him."

Psalm 71:11 esv

and say, "God has forsaken him; pursue and seize him, for there is none to deliver him."

Psalm 71:11 nlt

They say, "God has abandoned him.
Let's go and get him,
for no one will help him now."

Psalm 71 verses

Psalm 71 11 Meaning

Psalm 71:11 presents the malicious accusation and strategy of the psalmist's enemies. They falsely claim that God has abandoned him, thereby justifying their aggressive actions to pursue and capture him, believing there is no divine helper to intervene on his behalf. This verse reflects the depth of the trial the psalmist endures, as his spiritual relationship with God is directly attacked to break his trust and embolden his foes.

Psalm 71 11 Context

Psalm 71 is a poignant prayer of an old man, likely a king or a prominent figure, who is facing extreme peril from malicious enemies. Throughout the psalm, he appeals to God based on a lifetime of devoted service and experienced deliverance, pleading for continuous help in his old age. He expresses unwavering trust in God as his refuge and fortress (vv. 1-3) despite the severe threats. Verse 11 reveals the specific nature of his adversaries' attack: a direct challenge to his faith and God's faithfulness. This accusation is central to their strategy, as it aims to dismantle the psalmist's spiritual foundation, demoralize him, and justify their intended assault. The verse sets up the tension that the psalmist resolves through continued prayer and declaration of God's saving power. In ancient Israelite culture, divine favor was often seen in prosperity and victory, while misfortune could be interpreted as God's withdrawal or judgment. Thus, the enemies' taunt was not merely a physical threat but a deep spiritual wound, leveraging contemporary beliefs about divine abandonment.

Psalm 71 11 Word analysis

• God (אֱלֹהִים - Elohim): This is a plural noun, yet often takes a singular verb when referring to the one true God, emphasizing His supreme power and authority. The irony in the enemies' statement is their claim that this all-powerful God has abandoned His servant, negating His inherent nature as a faithful deliverer.

• has forsaken (עָזַב - azav): This verb signifies a strong sense of abandonment, to leave desolate, relinquish, or desert completely. It implies a total withdrawal of presence, help, or protection. This is the gravest charge against God's character and the psalmist's hope, meant to convey utter hopelessness.

• him: Refers to the psalmist, implying the enemies perceive him as weak and vulnerable because of this supposed divine absence.

• pursue (רָדַף - radaph): To chase, pursue relentlessly, run after with intent. This suggests an active, determined, and aggressive movement towards the psalmist, indicating their malicious intent to harm and capture him.

• and seize (וְתִפְשׂוּהוּ - v'tifs-soohu): This word implies to grasp, catch, lay hold of, or capture, often with force. It completes the hostile intent of the enemies – not just chasing, but intending to physically subdue and control the psalmist, leading to his destruction.

• for (כִּי - ki): A particle denoting causation or reason, "because," "for," or "indeed." Here, it introduces the enemies' justification or rationale for their malicious actions.

• there is no one (אֵין - ein): A negating particle, signifying "there is not," "nothing," "no one." It conveys an absolute absence, reinforcing their conviction that the psalmist is utterly without help.

• to deliver (מַצִּיל - matz-tzil): This is a participle from the verb נָצַל (natsal), meaning "to snatch away," "to rescue," "to deliver from danger." It points to someone who can provide salvation or rescue in a time of extreme need. The enemies' claim directly opposes God's core identity as the Deliverer of His people.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "God has forsaken him": This is the core spiritual and psychological assault. It's a lie intended to undermine the psalmist's faith, which is his true strength. This verbal attack is foundational to the enemies' strategy, aiming to erode trust and inject despair.
  • "pursue and seize him": This phrase describes the practical, aggressive actions fueled by the preceding false premise. The enemies' physical malice is directly enabled and emboldened by their erroneous belief in the psalmist's divine abandonment. Their perceived advantage justifies their predatory behavior.
  • "for there is no one to deliver": This final clause states the enemies' false conclusion and their ultimate justification. It is a declaration of ultimate hopelessness for the psalmist, echoing a common tactic of the adversary to cut off all hope of divine intervention, thereby deeming their attack righteous and guaranteed of success.

Psalm 71 11 Bonus section

The enemies' taunt in Psalm 71:11 is a direct challenge to a core tenet of God's covenantal faithfulness—that He will never abandon His people (Deut 31:6; Heb 13:5). This constitutes a spiritual test for the psalmist, similar to those faced by Job and, ultimately, Jesus Christ on the cross (Psa 22:1; Matt 27:46). Such an accusation is more dangerous than physical threats because it targets the very foundation of hope and resilience. The adversary's strategy is to isolate and demoralize by severing the perceived link between the believer and their divine Protector. The malice inherent in this statement reveals a profound misunderstanding or rejection of God's steadfast love and His active role as the deliverer (Matz-tzil). The psalmist's strength in enduring this trial lies not in denying the visible onslaught, but in clinging more fiercely to the truth of God's character as revealed in a lifetime of faithfulness (Psa 71:5-6).

Psalm 71 11 Commentary

Psalm 71:11 encapsulates a fundamental tactic of spiritual warfare and human adversity: the direct assault on one's faith through the lie of divine abandonment. The enemies, in their malice, do not merely attack the psalmist's body or circumstances; they strike at the heart of his relationship with God. Their accusation, "God has forsaken him," is a psychological weapon designed to sow doubt and despair, similar to how the tempter works by questioning God's goodness and promises. This perceived absence of God then emboldens the adversaries ("pursue and seize him"), justifying their destructive intentions, for if God has withdrawn His hand, who then will protect? The phrase "for there is no one to deliver" solidifies their rationale, reflecting their blindness to God's enduring faithfulness and power. The psalmist's response throughout the psalm—continued reliance on God's righteousness, declarations of His saving acts, and urgent pleas for help—serves as a counter-narrative to this lie, demonstrating the vital importance of trusting God's unshakeable character even when circumstances seem to scream otherwise. This scenario reflects the reality that the believer's greatest battles are often against deceptions aimed at dislodging their hope in God's presence and power.