Psalms 71:9

9 Do not cast me away when I am old; do not forsake me when my strength is gone.

Psalms 71:9 in Other Translations

KJV
9 Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength faileth.
ESV
9 Do not cast me off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength is spent.
NLT
9 And now, in my old age, don’t set me aside. Don’t abandon me when my strength is failing.
MSG
9 But don't turn me out to pasture when I'm old or put me on the shelf when I can't pull my weight.
CSB
9 Don't discard me in my old age: as my strength fails, do not abandon me.

Psalms 71:9 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 71:9

Cast me not off in the time of old age
The Lord never casts off nor casts away his people, whom he foreknew; they are near unto him; they are on his heart, and are engraven on the palms of his hands; and they shall never be removed from his heart's love, nor out of his arms, nor out of his covenant, and shall always be the objects of his care: he bears and carries them to old age, and even to hoary hairs: the Lord had been the guide of David's youth, and his trust then, ( Psalms 71:5 ) ; and now he desires he would be the staff of his old age; at which age he was when Absalom rebelled against him;

forsake me not when my strength faileth:
as it does when old age comes on; then the keepers of the house tremble, and the strong men bow themselves, and especially at death, when flesh and heart fail; but God will never forsake his people, neither in youth nor in old age, neither in life nor at death.

Psalms 71:9 In-Context

7 I have become a sign to many; you are my strong refuge.
8 My mouth is filled with your praise, declaring your splendor all day long.
9 Do not cast me away when I am old; do not forsake me when my strength is gone.
10 For my enemies speak against me; those who wait to kill me conspire together.
11 They say, “God has forsaken him; pursue him and seize him, for no one will rescue him.”

Cross References 3

  • 1. S Psalms 51:11
  • 2. ver 18; Psalms 92:14; Isaiah 46:4
  • 3. S Deuteronomy 4:31; S Deuteronomy 31:6
Scripture quoted by permission.  Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.  NIV®.  Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica.  All rights reserved worldwide.