Psalm 71 18

Psalm 71:18 kjv

Now also when I am old and greyheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come.

Psalm 71:18 nkjv

Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, do not forsake me, Until I declare Your strength to this generation, Your power to everyone who is to come.

Psalm 71:18 niv

Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come.

Psalm 71:18 esv

So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come.

Psalm 71:18 nlt

Now that I am old and gray,
do not abandon me, O God.
Let me proclaim your power to this new generation,
your mighty miracles to all who come after me.

Psalm 71 verses

Psalm 71 18 Meaning

Psalm 71:18 is a heartfelt prayer from an aged believer who trusts God to sustain him in his old age, not for his own comfort alone, but specifically so that he may continue to declare God’s mighty works and power to future generations. It expresses a profound desire for God's enduring presence and assistance, enabling a faithful witness and the intergenerational transfer of divine truth. The psalmist understands his continued existence and strength as instrumental in God's plan for conveying His faithfulness to those who follow.

Psalm 71 18 Context

Psalm 71 is a poignant prayer of an aged man who is facing deep distress, likely from enemies and infirmities. He recounts a lifetime of trusting God from his very youth (v. 5-6), highlighting God's continuous faithfulness. The psalmist's plea in verse 18 (and earlier in v. 9) is not merely for self-preservation in his physical weakness and vulnerability in old age. Rather, his continued existence and strength are directly tied to his purpose: to serve as a living testimony to God's enduring might and deliverance for the benefit of the rising generation. This context emphasizes the significant role of the elder in the community as a guardian and transmitter of the faith.

Psalm 71 18 Word analysis

• So even to old age (וְגַם עַד־זִקְנָה - v'gam 'ad ziqnah) and gray hairs (וְשֵׂיבָה - v'seivah):

  • Ziqnah (זִקְנָה) means "old age" or "seniority," denoting a time of physical decline but also often of wisdom.
  • Seivah (שֵׂיבָה) specifically refers to "gray hair," a visible sign of advanced years.
  • Significance: These phrases underscore the psalmist's advanced age and the natural weakness associated with it. They also implicitly convey a plea for continued vitality or presence despite age. In ancient Israel, gray hairs symbolized wisdom and honor (Prov 16:31), but also vulnerability requiring divine aid.

• O God (אֱלֹהִים - Elohim):

  • Elohim is the generic name for God, emphasizing His divine power and authority, fitting for a prayer seeking strength and deliverance.
  • Significance: A direct address, demonstrating personal relationship and dependence.

• do not forsake me (אַל־תַּעַזְבֵנִי - 'al ta'az'veini):

  • 'azav (עָזַב) means to abandon, leave, forsake, desert. The negative imperative 'al ta'az'veini is a strong plea against divine abandonment.
  • Significance: It's not a doubt of God's faithfulness but an urgent cry for God's continuous active presence and support. This concept of God never abandoning His people is a consistent biblical theme (Heb 13:5). The psalmist acknowledges his increasing reliance on God due to natural weakening.

• until I proclaim (עַד־הַגִּידִי - 'ad hagidi) your might (עֻזְּךָ - 'uzz'cha):

  • Haggidi is from the root nagad (נָגַד), meaning to tell, declare, make known, announce.
  • 'Uzz'cha (עֻזְּךָ) from 'oz (עֹז) refers to strength, might, power, a powerful firmness. It often implies a conquering or irresistible force.
  • Significance: The psalmist's primary motivation for living on is purposeful: to actively bear witness. God's 'oz refers to His inherent strength and saving power, which the psalmist has experienced and desires to recount.

• to another generation (לְדוֹר - l'dor):

  • Dor (דּוֹר) refers to a generation, an age, or period.
  • Significance: This emphasizes the continuity of faith and the responsibility of one generation to pass on God's truth to the next. The "another" (implied, or 'the next') highlights the direct audience of his witness. It points to intergenerational instruction and mentorship.

• your power (גְּבוּרָתְךָ - g'vurathcha) to all those to come (לְכָל־לָבֹוא - l'chol-lavo):

  • G'vurathcha (גְּבוּרָתְךָ) from gevurah (גְּבוּרָה) denotes strength, power, might, mighty acts, or valor, often implying mighty deeds and active power.
  • L'chol-lavo literally "to all coming ones" or "all who are to come."
  • Significance: Reaffirms the intent to broadly disseminate God's acts. Gevurah complements 'oz, emphasizing God's active, demonstrated power through His deeds. "All those to come" broadens the audience beyond just the immediate "another generation," suggesting a lasting impact of his testimony into the far future.

Psalm 71 18 Bonus section

This verse carries a powerful polemic against any culture or philosophy that diminishes the value of the aged. It stands in stark contrast to societies that might discard or ignore their elders. The psalmist’s prayer champions the senior believer as an indispensable part of the spiritual fabric, not merely a recipient of care but an active participant in transmitting core truths. It suggests that a life fully lived for God is marked by a continual commitment to His praise, culminating in a powerful witness from wisdom born of experience. This principle aligns with the New Testament understanding of spiritual mentoring and passing on the faith (e.g., Paul to Timothy), emphasizing that all stages of life, including old age, are meant for glorifying God and serving His purposes.

Psalm 71 18 Commentary

Psalm 71:18 reveals a deeply profound aspect of spiritual aging: the desire for continued usefulness in God's service. The psalmist, advanced in years and facing vulnerability, is not simply praying for longevity or relief from personal suffering, but for preservation for a distinct, God-honoring purpose. His petition, "do not forsake me," is not a plea born of doubt, but an earnest expression of reliance, acknowledging his weakening human capacities and leaning fully on divine strength.

The core motivation for his request is profoundly altruistic and God-centered: to "proclaim Your might" and "Your power" to subsequent generations. This highlights the indispensable role of the elderly in the covenant community. Their lived experience with God provides a unique and potent testimony, offering historical and personal evidence of God's enduring faithfulness, mighty acts, and character. They are living archives of divine grace, entrusted with passing on the spiritual heritage. The verse implicitly argues against any notion of older people becoming obsolete or forgotten. Instead, it posits their crucial role as conduits of God's story and power, ensuring the vibrancy of faith continues across ages. Their preservation is for perpetuation of His glory through testimony. This passage calls believers to consider their later years not as a winding down, but as an opportunity for robust, intergenerational spiritual influence.