Psalms 71:1
In you, O LORD, do I take refuge; let me never be put to shame!
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Psalms 71:1
In you, O LORD, do I take refuge; let me never be put to shame!
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
The psalmist isn't just saying he trusts God; he's declaring he takes refuge in Him, like seeking shelter in a fortress. This isn't a casual hope, but an active, strategic retreat into God's strength when trouble looms, so that his faith, when tested, won't end in shame.
This psalm opens with a plea for refuge and confidence in God, echoing words from an earlier psalm. The psalmist, likely an older individual facing intense distress and enemies, places their complete trust in the Lord. This verse sets the tone for a psalm that looks back on a lifetime of God's faithfulness while urgently praying for continued protection against those who seek their downfall.
This verse opens with a powerful declaration of trust. But what does it mean to 'take refuge' in God, especially when life feels unstable?
The phrase 'take refuge' paints a picture of seeking shelter in a safe place, like finding an oasis in a desert or a fortress against an enemy. The psalmist isn't just passively hoping for the best; they are actively running to God for protection and security.
This isn't a one-time decision, but a continuous posture of reliance. It means acknowledging that our ultimate safety isn't found in our own strength, our circumstances, or even other people, but solely in God's character and His promises.
Why does the psalmist immediately follow his declaration of trust with a plea to 'never be put to shame'?
To be 'put to shame' or 'confused' means to be disappointed, disgraced, or proven wrong in one's trust. The psalmist is praying that his faith in God will not be in vain.
This isn't about avoiding all hardship or difficulty. Instead, it's a prayer that even in the midst of trials, his reliance on God will ultimately be vindicated. He trusts that God's faithfulness will ensure that his hope is not misplaced, and that he won't be left looking foolish for believing in the Lord.
Understand the original words
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
The personal, covenantal name of God revealed to Israel, signifying His self-existence, faithfulness, and eternal nature as the Redeemer of His people.
chasah · Hebrew Verb
A place of safety or protection, often used metaphorically to describe God's presence as a secure defense against enemies, trouble, or judgment.
bosh · Hebrew Verb
A state of disgrace, humiliation, or disappointment, often associated with the failure of one's trust or the triumph of one's enemies, from which God delivers the faithful.
The opening lines of Psalm 71, with their plea for refuge and protection from shame, likely echo the personal anguish of King David during his son Absalom's rebellion. This event, which forced him to flee his own capital in his old age, provides a powerful backdrop to the psalm's expressions of deep trust and vulnerability.
c. 1000 BC
David's Reign as King
David is the established King of Israel, having successfully united the tribes and established Jerusalem as his capital.
c. 970 BC— this verse
Absalom's Rebellion
David's son Absalom leads a significant rebellion against his father's rule, forcing David to flee Jerusalem. This period of distress and personal danger is a likely context for Psalm 71.
c. 970 BC
David Flees Jerusalem
During Absalom's rebellion, David is forced to abandon his throne and flee the capital city, experiencing intense personal suffering and vulnerability.
c. 970 BC
David's Old Age
The psalm explicitly mentions David's old age (Psalm 71:18), aligning with the later years of his reign when Absalom's rebellion occurred.
This verse is a direct quotation, with minor wording changes, from Psalm 31:1, highlighting the foundational nature of taking refuge in God and the desire to not be put to shame.
Psalms 25:2This passage expresses a similar sentiment of trusting in God and a plea not to be put to shame, reinforcing the theme of reliance on divine protection.
Jeremiah 17:7This verse offers a strong parallel, stating that the one who trusts in the LORD is blessed, directly connecting the act of trust with a positive outcome, contrasting with the shame the psalmist wishes to avoid.
Philippians 1:20The Apostle Paul echoes this desire for Christ to be magnified in his body, whether through life or death, leading to no shame, demonstrating that this plea for unashamed trust is a New Testament aspiration as well.
poolePsalms 71:1: "In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion."
THE ARGUMENT The matter of this Psalm plainly showeth that it was written in a time of David’s great distress, and his old age, mentioned Psalm 71:9 and Psalm 71:18 which proves that it belongs not to Saul’s time, but rather to the time of Absalom’s rebellion, which happened in his old age. The psalmist, in confidence of his faith, and in experience of past favours, prayeth unto God to deliver him, but consume…
bensonPsalms 71:1: "In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion."
Psalm 71:1-3 . In thee, O Lord, &c. — See notes on Psalm 31:1 . Thou hast given commandment to save me — By which he understands God’s purpose and promise, and his providence watching to execute them, all which are as powerful as a command.
The psalmist isn't just saying he trusts God; he's declaring he takes refuge in Him, like seeking shelter in a fortress. This isn't a casual hope, but an active, strategic retreat into God's strength when trouble looms, so that his faith, when tested, won't end in shame.
This psalm opens with a plea for refuge and confidence in God, echoing words from an earlier psalm. The psalmist, likely an older individual facing intense distress and enemies, places their complete trust in the Lord. This verse sets the tone for a psalm that looks back on a lifetime of God's faithfulness while urgently praying for continued protection against those who seek their downfall.
This psalm opens with a plea for refuge and confidence in God, echoing words from an earlier psalm. The psalmist, likely an older individual facing intense distress and enemies, places their complete trust in the Lord. This verse sets the tone for a psalm that looks back on a lifetime of God's faithfulness while urgently praying for continued protection against those who seek their downfall.
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c. 970 BC
Suppression of Rebellion
The rebellion is eventually put down, but not before causing significant turmoil and trauma for David and the kingdom.
"In you, O LORD, do I take refuge; let me never be put to shame!" — The psalmist isn't just saying he trusts God; he's declaring he takes refuge in Him, like seeking shelter in a fortress. This isn't a casual hope, but an active, strategic retreat into God's streng…