Psalm 71:4 Study Bible: Rescue me, my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man.

◄ Psalm 71:4 ►

Deliver me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the grasp of the unjust and ruthless.

Deliver me
The phrase "Deliver me" is a heartfelt plea for rescue and salvation. In Hebrew, the word used here is "הַצִּילֵנִי" (hatzileni), which comes from the root "נצל" (natsal), meaning to snatch away, rescue, or save. This word is often used in the context of God intervening to save His people from danger or distress. The psalmist's cry for deliverance reflects a deep trust in God's power and willingness to save. Historically, this plea resonates with the many instances in the Old Testament where God delivered Israel from their enemies, reinforcing the belief in God's protective nature.

O my God
The phrase "O my God" is a personal address to the divine, emphasizing a relationship between the psalmist and God. The Hebrew word for God here is "אֱלֹהַי" (Elohai), which is a possessive form of "אֱלֹהִים" (Elohim), indicating a personal God who is intimately involved in the life of the believer. This personal invocation underscores the psalmist's reliance on God as a personal protector and savior, highlighting the covenant relationship between God and His people.

from the hand of the wicked
The phrase "from the hand of the wicked" refers to being saved from the power or control of evil people. The Hebrew word for "hand" is "יָד" (yad), which often symbolizes power or control. The "wicked" (רָשָׁע, rasha) are those who act in opposition to God's will, often causing harm or injustice. This phrase reflects the psalmist's desire to be freed from the influence and oppression of those who do not follow God's ways. It is a common theme in the Psalms, where the righteous seek God's intervention against the wicked.

from the grasp of the unjust and ruthless
The phrase "from the grasp of the unjust and ruthless" further elaborates on the nature of the threat faced by the psalmist. The word "grasp" (כַּף, kaph) is another term for hand, emphasizing control or domination. The "unjust" (עָוֶל, avel) are those who pervert justice, while the "ruthless" (חֹמֵץ, chomets) are those who are cruel and oppressive. This plea highlights the psalmist's need for divine intervention against those who are morally corrupt and oppressive. It reflects a broader biblical theme of God's justice and His role as the defender of the oppressed.

Persons / Places / Events

1. The Psalmist
Traditionally attributed to David, the psalmist is a figure seeking God's deliverance from adversaries. He represents the faithful believer who turns to God in times of trouble.

2. The Wicked
This term refers to those who oppose God's ways and seek to harm the righteous. In the Hebrew text, "wicked" (rasha) often denotes those who are morally wrong or guilty.

3. The Unjust and Ruthless
These are individuals characterized by unfairness and cruelty. The Hebrew words used here emphasize their oppressive and violent nature.

Teaching Points

Dependence on God for Deliverance
The psalmist's plea underscores the importance of relying on God rather than human strength or wisdom in times of distress.

Recognition of Evil
Believers must be aware of the presence of wickedness and injustice in the world and seek God's guidance to navigate these challenges.

Prayer as a Weapon
The psalmist models how prayer can be a powerful tool in seeking God's intervention against evil forces.

Trust in God's Justice
Despite the presence of the unjust and ruthless, believers are called to trust in God's ultimate justice and righteousness.

Perseverance in Faith
The psalm encourages steadfastness in faith, even when faced with opposition and adversity.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does the psalmist's plea for deliverance in Psalm 71:4 reflect your own experiences with adversity?

2. In what ways can you identify the "wicked" and "unjust" influences in your life, and how can you seek God's help in dealing with them?

3. How does the theme of deliverance in Psalm 71:4 connect with the New Testament teachings on God's protection and salvation?

4. What practical steps can you take to strengthen your reliance on God when facing challenges from those who oppose your faith?

5. How can the assurance of God's justice and deliverance in Psalm 71:4 encourage you to persevere in your faith journey?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Psalm 37
This psalm also contrasts the fate of the wicked and the righteous, emphasizing God's protection over those who trust in Him.

2 Timothy 4:18
Paul speaks of the Lord's deliverance from evil, echoing the psalmist's plea for rescue from wickedness.

Proverbs 11:8
This proverb highlights the deliverance of the righteous from trouble, reinforcing the theme of divine rescue.

Sermons

The Suffering Righteous Man in His Old Age	C. Short	Psalm 71:1-13
A Picture of a Pious Old Man	Homilist	Psalm 71:1-24
Godly Old Age	W. Forsyth	Psalm 71:1-24
The Vow of Faith	R. C. Ford, M. A.	Psalm 71:1-24

People

Psalmist, Solomon

Places

Jerusalem

Topics

Cause, Cruel, Deliver, Escape, Evil, Grasp, O, Perverse, Rescue, Ruthless, Sinner, Unjust, Unrighteous, Violent, Wicked, Wrongdoer

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Psalm 71:4

     5568   suffering, causes
     5824   cruelty, examples
     6634   deliverance

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 71:4 NIV
Psalm 71:4 NLT
Psalm 71:4 ESV
Psalm 71:4 NASB
Psalm 71:4 KJV

Psalm 71:4 Commentaries

Bible Hub