Introduction: Reading this portion of Psalm 71, I checked to make sure that my understanding of the word ‘portent’ was accurate. Wikipedia says that its meaning is “a sign or warning that a momentous or calamitous event is likely to happen.” and as an example gives the phrase “many birds are regarded as being portents of death” Their example makes my mind think of circling vultures above a dying animal or over an abattoirs in Africa! Do you know what a ‘Books Ngram Viewer‘ is? I suspect not! It gives the frequency of usage (the meaning not the word) in different cultures. Between 2000 and now in English its usage as a word has increased by by 50%; in Hebrew it has increased by about 5,000%; in French its usage has decreased a little. I wonder why in Hebrew its usage has grown so much. I also wonder why David used the word?
In you, O LORD, do I take refuge; let me never be put to shame! In your righteousness deliver me and rescue me; incline your ear to me, and save me! – Comment: In some ways I have destroyed the poetry by getting rid of the verses, but I have tried to group the thoughts. I take it that the phrase ‘In your righteousness’ is a call to God to be true to His character of ‘steadfast love’, because if it meant according to his ‘holiness’ I think that David (or you or I) would have shuddered at his own sinfulness! Comparing myself with other people lets me have some hope but comparing myself to God surely makes us all fall to our knees as failures!
Be to me a rock of refuge, to which I may continually come; you have given the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress.
Rescue me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the grasp of the unjust and cruel man. – Comment: I think that to shelter in a bunker would be better than to hide behind a rock! But, although I’d be prepared to enter a bunker, I’d certainly pray that God would have His hand hiding me!
For you, O Lord, are my hope, my trust, O LORD, from my youth.
Upon you I have leaned from before my birth; you are he who took me from my mother’s womb. My praise is continually of you. – Comment: Not all have trusted nor hoped in God from their youth! But thank God that for the repentant He forgives and takes us as repentant believing people into His own family!
I have been as a portent to many, but you are my strong refuge. – I encourage you to start thinking about the word ‘portent’. We have another day or two reading the rest of this Psalm, lets hope that David tells us why he used it! Meaning often lies in the context!
My mouth is filled with your praise, and with your glory all the day.
Do not cast me off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength is spent. – Comment: I turned 87 a few months ago. I have, as David had, much to be thankful for and as time here gets less by the minute, I have cause to think in thankfulness for what God has made the future to mean to me! ‘Please God I’m but a shell of the past; please don’t assign me to the place of waste!’ For my enemies speak concerning me; those who watch for my life consult together and say, “God has forsaken him; pursue and seize him, for there is none to deliver him.” – Comment: David’s fear was for his life. Facing Eternity, I guess that I could fear Satan, but Thank You, Jesus, for Your victory over him!
Proverbs 3:3&4 – Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favour and good success in the sight of God and man.
Prayer: Help me to keep singing and praying ‘I’m pressing on the upward way,
New heights I’m gaining every day;
Still praying as I onward bound,
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.‘
As I read it! 