Psalm 71 7

Psalm 71:7 kjv

I am as a wonder unto many; but thou art my strong refuge.

Psalm 71:7 nkjv

I have become as a wonder to many, But You are my strong refuge.

Psalm 71:7 niv

I have become a sign to many; you are my strong refuge.

Psalm 71:7 esv

I have been as a portent to many, but you are my strong refuge.

Psalm 71:7 nlt

My life is an example to many,
because you have been my strength and protection.

Psalm 71 verses

Psalm 71 7 Meaning

Psalm 71:7 powerfully contrasts the psalmist's external perception with his internal reality of faith. He states, "I am as a wonder unto many; but thou art my strong refuge." This conveys that, in the eyes of others, he appears as a strange or remarkable object, possibly of scorn, perplexity, or hardship. Despite this public view of distress or vulnerability, he affirms God as his unyielding, mighty sanctuary and protection.

Psalm 71 7 Context

Psalm 71 is a poignant prayer of an aged psalmist, likely King David, who finds himself beleaguered by enemies and perceived as weakened or forsaken. He recalls God's faithfulness throughout his life, from youth into old age, and petitions for continued deliverance from those who seek to harm or discredit him. The verse (71:7) is embedded within his lament, where he expresses the personal pain of being seen as an outcast or one abandoned by God due to his prolonged suffering or perceived decline. It captures the struggle between his outward appearance of vulnerability and his profound, unwavering trust in God, contrasting human judgment with divine steadfastness.

Psalm 71 7 Word analysis

• I (אֲנִי - ’ani): A strong first-person pronoun, emphasizing the psalmist's personal experience and profound individual confession. It underlines the vulnerability and directness of his prayer.

• am (הָיִיתִי - hayiti): From the verb hayah, "to be," "to become," "to exist." It signifies a state of being that he has arrived at, suggesting a public or perceived transformation of his status or circumstances.

• as a wonder (כְּמוֹפֵת - k'môphēt):

  • כְּ (k’): A preposition meaning "as" or "like," indicating that he is perceived similarly to a wonder or sign, rather than being one literally in the positive sense.
  • מוֹפֵת (môphēt): This significant Hebrew term means "wonder," "sign," or "portent." While it can denote a miraculous sign from God (e.g., in the context of the Exodus), here, especially in light of the psalmist's distress and enemies, it strongly suggests a negative connotation—being a public spectacle, an anomaly, or an example of hardship, perhaps even perceived as cursed or bizarre by others.

• unto many (לְרַבִּים - l'rabbim):

  • לְ (l'): A preposition meaning "to," "for," "unto." It points to the audience or beneficiaries of the "wonder."
  • רַבִּים (rabbim): Meaning "many," "a great number," or "the multitude." It indicates that this perception of him as a "wonder" is widespread among the public or his adversaries, amplifying his isolation or the severity of his circumstances.

• but (וְאַתָּה - v'attah):

  • וְ (v'): The Hebrew conjunction "waw," used here in an adversative sense, meaning "but" or "yet." It introduces a sharp, emphatic contrast, pivoting immediately from his dire human perception to God's divine reality.
  • אַתָּה (’attah): The second-person masculine singular pronoun, meaning "You" (God). This direct and personal address immediately redirects the psalmist's focus and confidence from earthly observation to the steadfastness of the Divine.

• thou art: This is expressed by the pronoun ’attah (You) immediately followed by the possessive form of the nouns for "strong" and "refuge," conveying the meaning "You are my..."

• my strong (עֻזִּי - ‘uzzi):

  • עֹז (‘oz): Meaning "strength," "might," "power," "fortress," or "a place of refuge." It signifies God's absolute and prevailing power.
  • י (-i): The first-person singular possessive suffix ("my"). This intensely personalizes God's might; it's not just general divine power, but power applied directly to protect the psalmist.

• refuge (מַחֲסִי - maḥasi):

  • מַחֲסֶה (maḥaseh): A noun meaning "refuge," "shelter," "hiding place," or "place of safety." It signifies a place of ultimate security and protection from all dangers.
  • י (-i): Again, the first-person singular possessive suffix ("my"), underscoring that God is the psalmist's personal, ultimate sanctuary.

• "I am as a wonder unto many": This phrase paints a vivid picture of the psalmist's predicament, being publicly observed and perhaps derided due to his visible suffering or challenges. It signifies a painful vulnerability and a stark sense of being an object of curious scrutiny or scorn to a wide audience.

• "but thou art my strong refuge": This phrase functions as the powerful pivot of the verse. Despite the world's harsh gaze and misunderstanding, the psalmist's unwavering faith asserts God's supreme power and protective nature. This serves as his ultimate answer and security against all perceived weakness or abandonment, establishing God as his personal, unbreakable fortress and haven.

Psalm 71 7 Bonus section

The Hebrew word môphēt (מוֹפֵת) in this context is deeply significant. While often translated as "wonder" or "miracle" when referring to divine acts of deliverance (e.g., the plagues in Egypt were môphētîm), it also carries the nuance of being a "sign" or "portent" for others, whether good or bad. In the Psalms, coupled with the psalmist's distress, its use here implies a negative or peculiar sign—he is seen as a strange case, a cautionary tale, or a target of scorn, reflecting how his difficult circumstances lead others to view him. This highlights the ancient world's often superficial interpretation of suffering as a sign of divine disfavor, a perspective the psalmist counters by asserting God as his refuge. This theological tension reinforces the Old Testament's nuanced understanding of suffering and God's sovereignty. The strong personal possessives "my strong" and "my refuge" further emphasize the depth of the psalmist's individual relationship and reliance on God amidst the universal experience of misunderstanding and opposition.

Psalm 71 7 Commentary

Psalm 71:7 captures a profound spiritual tension between human perception and divine reality. The psalmist, enduring severe trials and possibly advanced age, feels exposed and observed by the general populace (rabbim) who see him as a môphēt, an "object of wonder." This "wonder" is likely not one of awe but of negative astonishment—a strange or unfortunate example of suffering, perhaps even seen as under a curse or divine abandonment, thus drawing ridicule or pity. However, the pivotal "but" (v’attah) forcefully shifts the focus from this outward, often judgmental, human perspective to the psalmist's intimate and unwavering conviction in God. Regardless of how the world views him, God remains his ‘uzzi maḥasi—his "strong refuge." This describes God as an unyielding, powerful source of safety and a personal sanctuary against all enemies and adversity. The verse thereby powerfully testifies that true security and identity are found not in human affirmation or the absence of suffering, but solely in the unshakeable might and sheltering presence of God. It encourages steadfast faith even when one is misunderstood or ridiculed by the world, emphasizing that divine protection far surpasses any earthly scorn.

• Example: Consider Noah, who built an ark in an age that scoffed at his warnings (Gen 6-7), appearing a peculiar "wonder," yet God was his refuge from the flood. Similarly, Jeremiah, seen as a laughingstock for his prophecies (Jer 20:7-8), found his "strong refuge" in the Lord during immense opposition.