A Mature Prayer Life – Psalm 71

Psalm 71 provides us the rarest of treasures: a perfectly preserved, Spirit inspired, song and prayer of an elderly and godly man. The value of this Psalm is further appreciated as we consider the context of the author's appeal. He finds himself at the weakest stage of life in need of intense help. This is something of a classic example of prayer, given these extremes. As the Psalmist is aging, he finds his needs are greater than ever and his ability to address them has never been so lacking. Only a vibrant, growing faith can bridge this widening chasm. Our author, evidencing the sovereign grace of God, demonstrates a faith sufficient for the aged. Here we behold the ripening fruit of a mature prayer life. We are listening to the heart cry of a life- long expert in bending the ear of God. To illustrate the effects of Ps 71, both to the positive by the presence of its principles and the negative in the absence of its principles, consider this song alongside the life of David (who many think is its likely author) vs. the life of Sampson...