(Continued from Psalm 71 (Part 1), 2nd October)

Though so far we’ve seen lessons of trust and hope, patience and confidence, here’s a great lesson regarding the role of testimony. When David writes of praising and singing, this is often private (even silent) in quiet times with the Lord. It can also be rather more public, such as in the company of God’s people – in the Tabernacle in David’s case; in the church fellowship in ours. However, some of the statements of David suggest that his testimony is not to be confined in these ways. So I want us to notice particularly the different kinds of testimony to which he committed himself.

In verse 15, as we have noticed, David says “My mouth shall tell of your righteousness and salvation all the day”. What commitment that is! In the old King James Version the expression is “my mouth shall shew forth” – today we might say ‘demonstrate’, but the Hebrew expression is richer, meaning ‘to enumerate, to recount important information’. Here is no momentary or casual comment. It is a determined, deliberate, detailed presentation of who God is and what he has done for David personally. What a challenge this is for us today! How do we measure up to this standard?

Entering into God’s strength

In verse 16, David states his determination to move forward in spite of his circumstances: “I will go in the strength of the Lord”. Here is an echo of the young David as he prepared to face Goliath: “I come to you in the Name of the LORD of Hosts …. whom you have defied” (1 Sam 17:45). Now, late in life, he knows his circumstances are so bad that he cannot proceed unaided. Any prospect of progress for him depends entirely upon his Saviour. In fact, a literal translation of David’s Hebrew could even be, “I will enter into the strength of the Lord” - rather like putting on the whole armour of God.

Such determination is coupled in this verse with his fixed intention to “make mention” of the Lord’s righteousness, not his own – “yours only”, he says to God! There’s nothing of David’s own merit or standing here, even though he has a reputation as a man after God’s own heart – “yours only, LORD”, he says.

Declaring God’s wondrous works

Now ‘mention’ sounds rather casual, lacking detail, a passing comment. However, this is not the sense of what David says here. The Hebrew word means ‘to make known something remembered’². It seems David is saying that when the Lord has brought him through his current troubles, he will testify to it being all based on the Lord’s doing. It’s not only a statement of David’s present commitment for the future. It’s a powerful declaration of faith that will resound to God’s glory and to the benefit of those who hear him! David’s commitment to testifying continues in verse 17. Now he’s already declaring God’s “wondrous works” – the works that he’s experienced from God since he was a lad! We might better translate David’s Hebrew as ‘boldly announcing’. His word here is based on the idea of ‘fronting-up’³, being bold in the face of opposition and making things conspicuous.

What testimony this is! It’s brave, it accepts the risk of facing disagreement, of being unpopular! What an encouragement this is for us in our own families and communities! Be bold, be strong, for the Lord your God is with you (Josh 1:6)!

Declaring to the generations

Next, I want you to notice David’s prayer in verse 18. It’s clear that he’s very conscious of the approaching end of his life. What does he ask for above all else at this stage? His burning desire is to influence for God the generations that are to follow him. And do you know what? His prayer has been answered, over and over again, for this Psalm has impacted generation upon generation, and continues to do so to this very day! Once again, there’s nothing of self in this request. Furthermore, David wants his influence to be very clear. Once again he uses the same Hebrew verb that we have just noted in verse 17, this time in his commitment to "declare" God’s strength . Not only does David want to be bold in his testimony, he wants to make it prominent and clear, that there should be no clouding of his message. His desire is to point to the Lord God, the One who he says has “done great things” (v.9), things so great that he cries out in wonder and awe, “O God, who is like you?”. This echoes the words of Moses following the miraculous deliverance of Israel at the Red Sea: “Who is like you, O LORD, among the gods? Who is like you? Glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing great wonders” (Ex.15:11).

Our heavenly hope

At this late stage in his life, David also testifies of his secure heavenly hope. In verse 23 he speaks of rejoicing in song because his soul is redeemed, as in v.20 he has spoken confidently of being “revived again”, brought “up again from the earth”. Here he delights in the certainty of a blessed resurrection, as he shares the vision of Job, who famously said, “I know that my Redeemer lives …… and after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see for myself and my eyes shall behold, and not another” (19:25-27).

With David, we say this day, “O God, who is like you?” What a hope we have: nothing wishy-washy about it, but rock solid, confirmed this side of the Cross by the mighty resurrection of the Lord Jesus Himself! Let your souls be encouraged by this mighty psalm. Live out its truth in your families and communities and testify to the glory of God and the honour of His Name.

Endnotes
1. Photo by David Longworth (2009), looking eastwards (Israelites on left, Philistines on right)
2. Zakar (Strong 2142) – to recall and make known
3. Nagad (Strong 5046) – to front, stand boldly out against