Psalm 71 2

Psalm 71:2 kjv

Deliver me in thy righteousness, and cause me to escape: incline thine ear unto me, and save me.

Psalm 71:2 nkjv

Deliver me in Your righteousness, and cause me to escape; Incline Your ear to me, and save me.

Psalm 71:2 niv

In your righteousness, rescue me and deliver me; turn your ear to me and save me.

Psalm 71:2 esv

In your righteousness deliver me and rescue me; incline your ear to me, and save me!

Psalm 71:2 nlt

Save me and rescue me,
for you do what is right.
Turn your ear to listen to me,
and set me free.

Psalm 71 verses

Psalm 71 2 Meaning

Psalm 71:2 is a fervent prayer from one who is deeply dependent on God, likely in a time of intense personal crisis and old age. It expresses a plea for divine rescue and escape, founded not on the psalmist's own merit but squarely on God's inherent character—His righteousness and unwavering faithfulness. The request for God to "incline His ear" emphasizes the psalmist's urgent desire for God's personal, attentive, and decisive intervention to bring salvation and deliverance.

Psalm 71 2 Context

Psalm 71 is a poignant prayer of a psalmist, traditionally identified as King David in his later years, facing intense adversity and surrounded by adversaries who seek his life and scoff at his reliance on God. This particular verse, Psalm 71:2, immediately follows the opening verse where the psalmist declares his lifelong trust in God and seeks refuge in Him. The psalmist expresses deep personal anguish, perhaps related to infirmity in old age (vv. 9, 18), abandonment by others, and constant threats from enemies who scheme against him (vv. 10-11). The entire psalm is a desperate appeal for deliverance, vindication, and continuous help, reflecting on a lifetime of God's faithfulness and proclaiming unwavering trust despite overwhelming circumstances. The plea for salvation in verse 2 sets the tone for the subsequent petitions for God to act decisively and visibly on his behalf, culminating in anticipated praise and proclamation of God's saving power. Historically, this type of individual lament from an aging leader reflects the precariousness of power and the constant need for divine protection in the ancient Near East, where leadership was often contested and external threats pervasive.

Psalm 71 2 Word analysis

• Deliver me (פַלְּטֵנִי - palleteni):

  • Word: Derived from the Hebrew root פָלַט (palat), meaning "to escape," "to slip away," or "to be rescued." Here it is in the Piel imperative, intensifying the command: "cause me to escape rapidly" or "rescue me quickly."
  • Significance: Implies a precarious situation where swift, decisive action is needed to extricate one from immediate danger or entrapment. It's a plea for God to actively extricate the psalmist from a desperate situation, almost like someone slipping out of a trap.

• in Your righteousness (בְּצִדְקָתְךָ - betzirkatecha):

  • Word: "Righteousness" is צְדָקָה (tzedakah), connected to צֶדֶק (tzedek). In biblical theology, God's righteousness is not merely abstract justice but His active faithfulness to His covenant, His commitment to upholding what is right, His character as a just and true God who vindicates the oppressed and fulfills His promises. It refers to God's inherent integrity and His way of acting according to His holy nature. The prefix "בְּ (be-)" means "in" or "by means of."
  • Significance: The psalmist appeals to God's own character as the basis for his deliverance, not his own deservingness or merit. It means "deliver me because You are righteous and must act in a way that aligns with Your nature as a just, covenant-keeping God." This implies God's righteousness requires Him to defend the helpless who trust in Him, distinguishing Him from capricious deities of surrounding cultures.

• and cause me to escape (וְהַפְלִיטֵנִי - vehaphliṭeini):

  • Word: From the same root פָלַט (palat), but this time in the Hiphil imperative, which means "cause to escape" or "enable to escape." The וְ (ve-) means "and."
  • Significance: The repetition and use of the Hiphil emphasize the urgency and the active nature of the deliverance requested. It's a more causative sense: "You, God, make me escape." This strengthens the preceding "deliver me," stressing the need for complete and irreversible liberation.

• incline Your ear to me (הַטֵּה אֵלַי אָזְנְךָ - hatteh elai oznecha):

  • Word: This is an idiomatic expression. הַטֵּה (hatteh) is Hiphil imperative of נָטָה (natah), meaning "to stretch out," "to bend," or "to incline." אָזְנְךָ (oznekha) is "Your ear." The phrase literally means "bend Your ear toward me."
  • Significance: This anthropomorphism portrays God as personally attentive, leaning in to hear the urgent prayer of the psalmist. It signifies a profound attentiveness and readiness to respond, indicating a relationship of close intimacy between the petitioner and the Divine. It underscores the belief that God listens carefully to His people's cries.

• and save me (וְהוֹשִׁיעֵנִי - vehoshieni):

  • Word: From the root יָשַׁע (yasha), meaning "to save," "to deliver," "to help," "to grant victory." This is the Hiphil imperative.
  • Significance: This is the climactic request, encompassing the entire scope of the desired deliverance—not just escape from immediate danger, but complete and comprehensive rescue, encompassing well-being and security. It represents the psalmist's ultimate need for God's full salvation, physically and perhaps spiritually, from all distress and adversaries. It emphasizes God's sovereign power to bring about comprehensive well-being.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "Deliver me in Your righteousness and cause me to escape": This phrase links the requested act of deliverance directly to God's character. It's a foundational plea built upon the immutable nature of God. The pairing of "deliver me" and "cause me to escape" creates a forceful plea for immediate and complete liberation, showcasing the psalmist's urgent plight and utter dependence on God's active intervention, guaranteed by His righteous nature.

Psalm 71 2 Bonus Section

The invocation of God's "righteousness" (צְדָקָה) in this verse resonates deeply throughout the biblical narrative, culminating in the New Testament's revelation of God's saving righteousness demonstrated in Jesus Christ. What the Old Testament psalmist petitions based on God's just character, the New Testament proclaims as already accomplished in Christ's perfect obedience and atoning sacrifice, providing the ultimate means for believers to "escape" sin and attain eternal salvation through His righteousness (Rom 3:21-26, 2 Cor 5:21, Phil 3:9). Thus, the ancient prayer for deliverance "in Your righteousness" finds its fullest echo in the salvation granted by God through the imputed righteousness of Christ.

Psalm 71 2 Commentary

Psalm 71:2 serves as a profound model of prayer rooted in radical trust in God's character, particularly in times of extreme vulnerability. The psalmist does not appeal based on his own merits or piety, but entirely on the bedrock of God's righteousness (צְדָקָה). This "righteousness" is understood as God's consistent faithfulness to His covenant, His inherent justice, and His active commitment to uphold what is right and just for His people. It is His righteous nature that compels Him to deliver those who call upon Him in faith.

The urgent cries, "Deliver me" and "cause me to escape," highlight the dire circumstances the psalmist faces, portraying a desperate need for swift extraction from danger. The petition for God to "incline Your ear" is a beautiful metaphor expressing a longing for personal, attentive divine engagement. It conveys the psalmist's desire that God would not merely hear but actively lean in, demonstrating profound care and readiness to respond intimately. This intimate listening is then anticipated to lead directly to holistic "salvation," encompassing not just an immediate rescue but a comprehensive well-being brought about by God's mighty hand.

This verse therefore encapsulates a vital theological truth: humanity's deepest need for salvation and deliverance finds its assurance and fulfillment not in human ability or virtue, but in the unwavering and righteous character of God. It's a prayer of desperation met with profound theological conviction in God's capacity and willingness to save.

Practical Examples:

• When facing an overwhelming crisis, pray directly for God's intervention, grounding the prayer in His known character of justice and love.
• In times of feeling unheard or ignored, take comfort in the invitation for God to "incline His ear," knowing He desires to listen intimately.
• When seeking deliverance, remember that it is God's nature to deliver the trusting, not just our desperate cries.