Bible Study Guide–(Psalm 71)
19-BSG-71C: CHAPTER OVERVIEW.
Characters: God, Psalmist.
Key Word: Trust, Ps. 71:1, 5, 14.
Strong Verses: Ps. 71:1-2, 3-4, 7, 9, 13, 15, 16, 22, 23, 24.

KEY WORD STUDY.
71:1 bosh, “shame.”
71:4 me’awwel, (evildoer); chomets (oppressor).
71:7 mopheth, (wonder), a sign from God that serves as a warning (see Exod 7:3; Deut 6:22; 1 Kgs 13:3).

ISSUES AT A GLANCE.
What to do when facing the challenges of growing older:
Trust in God and cry out to Him (vv. 1–4).
Reaffirm your confidence in God (vv. 5–8).
Ask God not forsake you (vv. 9–14).
Be a strong witness for God (vv. 15–21).
Praise God all day long (vv. 22–24).

ISSUES FOR FURTHER STUDY.
How God fight our battles by confounding our enemies (Ps. 71:10-11, 13, 24, etc.)

19-BSG-71D: CHAPTER INTRODUCTION.
The psalmist, apparently aged and in trouble, cries out to God for deliverance and is confident that God will answer him. This chapter can be divided into three section – [1] The Psalmist’s Trouble (Ps. 71:10–11). He cries out for God to rescue him from his enemies, who are plotting to destroy him. [2] The Psalmist’s Triumph. His confidence is bolstered by two truths: First, God is his help (Ps. 71:1–4, 7, 12–13); Second, God is his hope (Ps. 71:5–6, 9, 14, 17–18). [3] The Psalmist’s Testimony. He praises God for His righteous acts (Ps. 71:16, 19, 24); and for His faithfulness (Ps. 71:22). Please note that, he praises God all day long, (Ps. 71:8, 15); finally, he praises God with his voice and his harp and lyre, (Ps. 71:22–23).

This psalm is a prayer of the psalmist for deliverance from his enemies. They are speaking against him, and are plotting to kill him, saying, “God has forsaken him; pursue and take him, for there is none to deliver him” (v. 10). But God is his refuge, and has given the command to save him (see v. 3). This event happened when the psalmist was old and gray headed (see v. 18).

Life Application: “We may retire from work because of old age, but nobody retires from troubles so long as we are in this sinful world. Hence we should continue to hold onto God in our later years as the psalmist is doing here. He says, “In You, O Lord, I put my trust; Let me never be put to shame” (v. 1). There is no letting go the hand of God at any time, for “he who endures to the end shall be saved” (Matt. 24: 13). Therefore, I dedicate today’s comment to fellow senior citizens. Keep on keeping on!” (Onaolapo Ajibade)

Psalm 71: Bible Study Guide
19-BSG-71J: QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.

SEEING WHAT’S THERE.
What is the main content of this chapter? This psalm is a psalm of various petitions for deliverance from trouble and these petitions are interwoven with praise for God.

What does the chapter say about God? He delivers, saves (v. 2, 4); He sustains (v. 6); He protect and provide for us even “in the time of old age’ (v. 9); He is available, accessible, and near for help when we are in trouble (12); He deliver us from adversaries (v. 13) and frustrate their evil schemes (v. 24); He is the Great Teacher—teaching us ‘from my youth’ (v. 17); He is the mighty God (v. 18 c-d); He is a righteous God (v. 19); He ‘increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side (v. 21); He is a faithfulness God (v. 22).

CAPTURE THE ESSENCE.
What was God to the psalmist? (3, 5, 7) His rock and fortress, his hope, his strong refuge.

Why did the psalmist fear that God would abandon him in his old age? Can we relate to this? (9) The old age comes with its infirmities; its weaknesses; its trials—our strength fails me; our eyes grow dim; our knees totter. In the old age, some of our friends will have died; we will no longer able to labor for our sustenance; It a difficult time—when we will be left (at home) alone.

What did the psalmist desire to do when he was old and gray headed? (18) He longed to declare the Lord’s [mighty] strength to his generation, and His power [that is His greatness; majesty; glory] to all who are to come” – meaning all future generations. The psalmist wanted to state these truths for the benefit of future ages.

Does God send troubles? Does God intentionally bring troubles into our lives? (20) Sometimes yes—to correct us. Do you remember Jonah?

How does this differ from the divine discipline? God disciplines His people through His word, through their experiences, and through punishment, so that they may live in ways pleasing to him.

Three points to note here about the divine discipline: —- [1] It is a sign of God’s love: “For the Lord corrects and disciplines everyone whom He loves, and He punishes, even scourges, every son whom He accepts and welcomes to His heart and cherishes.” (Hebrews 12:6, AMP) “For whom the Lord loves He corrects, even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights.” (Proverbs 3:12, AMP)

[2] It is a sign of belonging to God’s family –“Know also in your [minds and] hearts that, as a man disciplines and instructs his son, so the Lord your God disciplines and instructs you.” (Deuteronomy 8:5, AMP)

[3] It trains God’s people — “For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” (Hebrews 12:11, ESV)

How had God delivered the psalmist? (23) God delivered (rescued) the psalmist from those who wanted to do him harm. God did this by preserving him and putting them to shame and confusion (v. 24).

Psalm 71: Bible Study Guide
19-BSG-71K: DISCUSSION QUESTIONS.

TO THINK ABOUT AND DISCUSS.
Why does the psalmist call God a rock of refuge? (v. 1)

Why does the psalmist ask God to remain faithful? (9–18)

In v. 7, the psalmist says –“I am as a wonder to many.” What things excited wonder or admiration in his life?

FOR SELF-EXAMINATION.
The psalmist saw his troubles as a ‘warning’ to others (v. 7), but he was determined to trust in God despite his difficulties. How can we trust in God in the midst of difficulties?

FOR LIFE TODAY.
What is the central lesson of the chapter?

What response do you think this chapter should inspires us to do?