So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This isn't just a prayer for God's continued presence; it's a plea for purpose. The psalmist isn't just asking to live, but to live long enough to serve as a living testament, sharing God's power with those who will come after him.
So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The psalmist, facing the prospect of old age and even death, pleads with God not to abandon him. This isn't just a personal cry for survival; it's a passionate desire to live long enough to share God's mighty acts and power with the current generation and those yet to come. He sees his remaining years as a vital opportunity to leave a legacy of faith for posterity.
The Psalmist isn't just afraid of getting old; he's praying for God's continued presence and strength when his own naturally wanes.
Imagine reaching old age, the years of active service behind you, and feeling your physical strength fade. This isn't just a personal fear; it's a moment where our dependence on God becomes even more profound. The Psalmist pleads, 'Do not forsake me... until I proclaim your might.' He understands that even in weakness, God's power can still shine through him. This prayer acknowledges that our value to God isn't tied to our physical capacity, but to our willingness to be His vessel, no matter our age.
This isn't just a personal plea for survival; it's a mission statement for legacy, a burning desire to ensure God's story continues.
The heart of this verse isn't just about the Psalmist's personal experience, but about his drive to share it. He asks God to keep him until he can tell 'your might to another generation, your power to all those to come.' This is the essence of discipleship – not just receiving God's grace, but passing it on. It speaks to the responsibility we have to share our faith, our experiences of God's faithfulness, with those who follow us, so that His power continues to be known throughout history.
The Psalmist's desire to speak of God's power isn't just for his contemporaries; it's for the ages.
The prayer isn't limited to the 'this generation' but extends 'to all those to come.' This highlights the profound, lasting impact of personal testimony. When we share our encounters with God's strength and power, we're not just impacting the people around us today; we're creating a historical record, a spiritual inheritance. Each story of faithfulness serves as a testament, a 'lasting monument' (as one commentary puts it), that fuels the faith of future generations, reminding them that the God of yesterday is the God of tomorrow.
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Understand the original words
azab · Hebrew Verb
To 'forsake' or abandon is to withdraw help, presence, or support. Biblically, the plea for God not to forsake His people is rooted in the promise of His steadfast presence and covenant commitment to never leave those who belong to Him.
geburah · Hebrew Noun
God’s 'might' or 'power' refers to His strength, omnipotence, and ability to execute His will in the universe. It is the active display of His divine authority and sovereign control over all circumstances.
This psalm reflects the anxieties and hopes of an aging leader, possibly King David himself during a time of political turmoil like Adonijah's rebellion, praying for God's continued presence to witness and pass on God's power to future generations amidst Israel's turbulent history.
c. 1010 BC
David appointed King of Israel
David is established as the sole king over all Israel, marking a period of national consolidation and expansion.
c. 970 BC— this verse
David's later years and Adonijah's rebellion
As David aged, his son Adonijah attempted to seize the throne, highlighting the challenges and political instability that could arise in later life.
c. 970 BC
Solomon crowned King
Solomon is made king, largely through the efforts of his mother Bathsheba and the prophet Nathan, ensuring a peaceful succession.
c. 931 BC
The Divided Kingdom
After Solomon's death, the kingdom splits into Israel (northern) and Judah (southern), leading to centuries of conflict and divine judgment.
c. 722 BC
Fall of the Northern Kingdom
The Assyrian Empire conquers the Northern Kingdom of Israel, exiling its population and marking a significant loss of God's people.
c. 586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and the Southern Kingdom
The Babylonian Empire destroys Jerusalem and its Temple, exiling the people of Judah, a profound crisis for God's covenant people.
This passage directly echoes the psalmist's plea, assuring that God carries His people from birth through old age, highlighting His enduring strength and faithfulness. It reinforces the idea that God's power is constant, even for those who are old and gray.
Deuteronomy 32:7This verse urges remembrance of past deeds and the instruction of future generations, mirroring the psalmist's desire to proclaim God's might to those who will come after. It emphasizes the intergenerational transmission of faith and God's works.
Joel 2:28-29This prophecy speaks of God pouring out His Spirit on all people, causing both the old and young to prophesy. This connects to the psalmist's desire to share God's message, suggesting that God equips all ages to declare His power.
Luke 2:25-32Simeon, an old and righteous man, recognized the Messiah and proclaimed his salvation, fulfilling a similar longing to witness God's power before his death. His testimony serves as an example of an elderly person proclaiming God's might to a new generation.
Acts 13:36This verse describes David serving his own generation by God's purpose and then falling asleep, connecting to the psalmist's desire to fulfill his purpose of declaring God's strength within his generation and for those to come. It highlights the importance of fulfilling one's God-given mission throughout life.
clarkePsalms 71:18: "Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come."
Old and grey-headed - In the ninth verse he mentioned the circumstance of old age; here he repeats it, with the addition of hoary-headedness, which, humanly speaking, was calculated to make a deeper impression in his favor. Though all these things are well known to God, and he needs not our information, yet he is pleased…
poolePsalms 71:18: "Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come."
Thy strength; either, 1. This further act or instance of thy strength. Or rather, 2. Thy great power, which will more eminently appear in this than it hath done in former deliverances, as my danger is now greater, because this is a civil war, and the generality of mine own people are engaged against me, and my forces are…
This isn't just a prayer for God's continued presence; it's a plea for purpose. The psalmist isn't just asking to live, but to live long enough to serve as a living testament, sharing God's power with those who will come after him.
The psalmist, facing the prospect of old age and even death, pleads with God not to abandon him. This isn't just a personal cry for survival; it's a passionate desire to live long enough to share God's mighty acts and power with the current generation and those yet to come. He sees his remaining years as a vital opportunity to leave a legacy of faith for posterity.
The psalmist, facing the prospect of old age and even death, pleads with God not to abandon him. This isn't just a personal cry for survival; it's a passionate desire to live long enough to share God's mighty acts and power with the current generation and those yet to come. He sees his remaining years as a vital opportunity to leave a legacy of faith for posterity.
"So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come." — This isn't just a prayer for God's continued presence; it's a plea for purpose. The psalmist isn't just asking to live, but to live long enough to serve as a living testament, sharing God's power wit…
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Last reviewed October 2026