◄ Psalm 71:1 ►
In You, O LORD, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame.
Study Bible
In You, O LORD, I have taken refuge
The phrase "In You, O LORD" begins with a direct address to God, using the covenant name "LORD" (YHWH in Hebrew), which signifies the personal and relational nature of God with His people. This name is deeply rooted in the history of Israel, reminding us of God's eternal presence and faithfulness. The psalmist's declaration of taking refuge "in You" emphasizes a personal trust and reliance on God, rather than on human strength or wisdom. The Hebrew word for "refuge" (חָסָה, chasah) conveys a sense of seeking shelter or protection, akin to a vulnerable creature finding safety under the wings of a mighty protector. This imagery is consistent throughout the Psalms, portraying God as a fortress and a shield for those who trust in Him.

let me never be put to shame
The plea "let me never be put to shame" reflects a deep concern for honor and reputation, which were of utmost importance in the ancient Near Eastern culture. The Hebrew word for "shame" (בּוֹשׁ, bosh) implies a state of disgrace or humiliation, often associated with being abandoned or defeated. In the biblical context, shame is not merely a personal feeling but a public state that affects one's standing in the community. The psalmist's request is rooted in the belief that God's protection and faithfulness will prevent such disgrace. This plea is not just for personal vindication but also for the honor of God's name, as the psalmist's trust in God is a testimony to others. The assurance that God will not allow His faithful ones to be put to shame is a recurring theme in Scripture, reinforcing the idea that those who trust in the LORD will ultimately be vindicated.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Psalmist
Traditionally attributed to David, the psalmist is seeking refuge and deliverance from God, expressing trust and dependence on the Lord.

2. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant name of God, emphasizing His faithfulness and relationship with His people.

3. Enemies/Oppressors
Though not mentioned in this specific verse, the context of the psalm includes adversaries from whom the psalmist seeks protection.
Teaching Points
Trust in God as Refuge
The Hebrew word for "refuge" (chasah) implies seeking shelter and protection. Believers are encouraged to actively place their trust in God, especially in times of trouble.

Avoiding Shame through Faith
The plea to "never be put to shame" reflects a deep trust that God will uphold His promises. Believers can have confidence that their faith in God will not lead to disgrace.

God's Faithfulness
The use of "LORD" (Yahweh) emphasizes God's covenant faithfulness. This assures believers that God is reliable and steadfast in His promises.

Prayer as a Means of Seeking Refuge
The psalmist's direct address to God models how believers can approach God in prayer, seeking His protection and deliverance.

Living with Confidence in God's Protection
Understanding God as a refuge allows believers to live with confidence and peace, knowing that God is their ultimate protector.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the concept of God as a refuge influence your daily life and decision-making?

2. In what ways can you actively seek refuge in God during times of trouble or uncertainty?

3. How does the assurance of not being put to shame impact your faith and trust in God?

4. Can you identify a situation in your life where you experienced God's protection as described in Psalm 71:1?

5. How do other scriptures, such as Proverbs 18:10 or Romans 10:11, reinforce the message of Psalm 71:1 in your personal faith journey?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Psalm 31:1
This verse echoes the same plea for refuge and deliverance, highlighting the psalmist's trust in God.

Proverbs 18:10
This verse speaks of the name of the Lord as a strong tower, where the righteous find safety, reinforcing the theme of God as a refuge.

Isaiah 50:7
This verse discusses the confidence in God that prevents shame, similar to the psalmist's plea.

Romans 10:11
Paul references the idea that those who trust in God will not be put to shame, connecting Old Testament trust with New Testament faith.
Sermons
The Suffering Righteous Man in His Old AgeC. Short Psalm 71:1-13
A Picture of a Pious Old ManHomilistPsalm 71:1-24
Godly Old AgeW. Forsyth Psalm 71:1-24
The Vow of FaithR. C. Ford, M. A.Psalm 71:1-24
People
Psalmist, Solomon
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Age, Ashamed, Confusion, Disappointed, Hope, O, Refuge, Shame, Shamed, Trust, Trusted
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Psalm 71:1

     8224   dependence

Psalm 71:1-3

     5290   defeat

Psalm 71:1-4

     8730   enemies, of believers

Library
December 22. "My Tongue Also Shall Talk of Thy Righteousness all the Day Long" (Ps. Lxxi. 24).
"My tongue also shall talk of Thy righteousness all the day long" (Ps. lxxi. 24). It is a simple law of nature, that air always comes in to fill a vacuum. You can produce a draught at any time, by heating the air until it ascends, and then the cold air rushes in to supply its place. And so we can always be filled with the Holy Spirit by providing a vacuum. This breath is dependent upon exhausting the previous breath before you can inhale a fresh one. And so we must empty our hearts of the last breath …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

More and More
David had not been slack in praise: indeed, he was a sweet singer in Israel, a very choir-master unto the Lord yet he vowed to praise him more and more. Those who do much already, are usually the people who can do more. He was old. Would he praise God more when he was infirm than he had done when he was young and vigorous? If he could not excel with loudness of voice, yet would he with eagerness of heart; and what his praise might lack in sound, it should gain in solemn earnestness. He was in trouble …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 17: 1871

Of Four Things which Bring Great Peace
"My Son, now will I teach thee the way of peace and of true liberty." 2. Do, O my Lord, as Thou sayest, for this is pleasing unto me to hear. 3. "Strive, My Son, to do another's will rather than thine own. Choose always to have less rather than more. Seek always after the lowest place, and to be subject to all. Wish always and pray that the will of God be fulfilled in thee. Behold, such a man as this entereth into the inheritance of peace and quietness." 4. O my Lord, this Thy short discourse …
Thomas A Kempis—Imitation of Christ

Of the Day of Eternity and of the Straitnesses of this Life
Oh most blessed mansion of the City which is above! Oh most clear day of eternity which the night obscureth not, but the Supreme Truth ever enlighteneth! Day always joyful, always secure and never changing its state into those which are contrary. Oh would that this day might shine forth, and that all these temporal things would come to an end. It shineth indeed upon the Saints, glowing with unending brightness, but only from afar and through a glass, upon those who are pilgrims on the earth. …
Thomas A Kempis—Imitation of Christ

For Old Age. --Ps. Lxxi.
For Old Age.--Ps. lxxi. Lord, I have put my trust in Thee, Turn not my confidence to shame; Thy promise is a rock to me, A tower of refuge is Thy name. Thou hast upheld me from the womb; Thou wert my strength and hope in youth; Now trembling, bending o'er the tomb, I lean upon Thine arm of truth. Though I have long outlived my peers, And stand amid the world alone, (A stranger left by former years), I know my God,--by Him am known. Cast me not off in mine old age, Forsake me not in my last hour; …
James Montgomery—Sacred Poems and Hymns

They all Hold Swords, Being Expert in War; Every Man Hath his Sword Upon his Thigh Because of Fear in the Night.
They all hold swords to engage in combat with the soul which, by a secret presumption, attributes to self what belongs to God only; and this causes them to exclaim with united voice; Who is like unto God? The Divine Righteousness is the first that comes to fight with and destroy the self-righteousness of the creature, and then comes strength to bring to naught the power of man, and causing him to enter by experience of his own infinite weakness into the strength of the Lord (Psalm lxxi. 16), teaches …
Madame Guyon—Song of Songs of Solomon

Letter Xlv (Circa A. D. 1140) to the Canons of Lyons, on the Conception of S. Mary.
To the Canons of Lyons, on the Conception of S. Mary. Bernard states that the Festival of the Conception was new; that it rested on no legitimate foundation; and that it should not have been instituted without consulting the Apostolic See, to whose opinion he submits. 1. It is well known that among all the Churches of France that of Lyons is first in importance, whether we regard the dignity of its See, its praiseworthy regulations, or its honourable zeal for learning. Where was there ever the vigour …
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux

The Baptismal Covenant Can be Kept Unbroken. Aim and Responsibility of Parents.
We have gone "to the Law and to the Testimony" to find out what the nature and benefits of Baptism are. We have gathered out of the Word all the principal passages bearing on this subject. We have grouped them together, and studied them side by side. We have noticed that their sense is uniform, clear, and strong. Unless we are willing to throw aside all sound principles of interpretation, we can extract from the words of inspiration only one meaning, and that is that the baptized child is, by virtue …
G. H. Gerberding—The Way of Salvation in the Lutheran Church

But Concerning True Patience, Worthy of the Name of this virtue...
12. But concerning true patience, worthy of the name of this virtue, whence it is to be had, must now be inquired. For there are some [2650] who attribute it to the strength of the human will, not which it hath by Divine assistance, but which it hath of free-will. Now this error is a proud one: for it is the error of them which abound, of whom it is said in the Psalm, "A scornful reproof to them which abound, and a despising to the proud." [2651] It is not therefore that "patience of the poor" which …
St. Augustine—On Patience

The Christian's Hope
Scripture references: 1 Timothy 1:1; Colossians 1:27; Psalm 130:5; 43:5; Proverbs 10:8; Acts 24:15; Psalm 71:5; Romans 5:1-5; 12:12; 15:4; 1 Corinthians 9:10; Galatians 5:5; Ephesians 1:18; Philippians 1:20; Colossians 1:5; 1 Thessalonians 1:3; 2:19; Titus 1:2; 2:13; 3:7; Psalm 31:24; 71:14,15. HOPE IN THE PRESENT LIFE That which a man ardently hopes for he strives to realize. If he desires fame, office or wealth he will seek to set forces in motion, here and now, which will bring him that which …
Henry T. Sell—Studies in the Life of the Christian

Let Thus Much have Been Said with Regard to Charity...
20. Let thus much have been said with regard to charity, without which in us there cannot be true patience, because in good men it is the love of God which endureth all things, as in bad men the lust of the world. But this love is in us by the Holy Spirit which was given us. Whence, of Whom cometh in us love, of Him cometh patience. But the lust of the world, when it patiently bears the burdens of any manner of calamity, boasts of the strength of its own will, like as of the stupor of disease, not …
St. Augustine—On Patience

Psalms
The piety of the Old Testament Church is reflected with more clearness and variety in the Psalter than in any other book of the Old Testament. It constitutes the response of the Church to the divine demands of prophecy, and, in a less degree, of law; or, rather, it expresses those emotions and aspirations of the universal heart which lie deeper than any formal demand. It is the speech of the soul face to face with God. Its words are as simple and unaffected as human words can be, for it is the genius …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

Links
Psalm 71:1 NIV
Psalm 71:1 NLT
Psalm 71:1 ESV
Psalm 71:1 NASB
Psalm 71:1 KJV

Psalm 71:1 Commentaries

Bible Hub
Psalm 70:5
Top of Page
Top of Page