Bible Strands
Psalms 71:9
Do not discard me in my old age; do not forsake me when my strength fails.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The psalmist addresses God directly, pleading for continued presence as physical decline sets in and enemies conspire to take his life.
The words — The Hebrew terms זִקְנָה (ziknah) and כֹּ֝חִ֗/י (koḥî) denote "old age" and "my strength," framing the plea around the failure of human vitality.
The thread — This appeal echoes God’s promise in Isaiah 46:4 to sustain the aging and the psalmist’s own vow in Psalms 71:18 to proclaim God’s power to the next generation.
Why it lands — The text demands acknowledgment of human frailty and a direct request for divine faithfulness rather than self-reliance.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength faileth.
Cross-references
- Isaiah 46:4 Even to your old age, I will be the same, and I will bear you up when you turn gray. I have made you, and I will carry you; I will sustain you and deliver you.
- 2 Timothy 1:12 For this reason, even though I suffer as I do, I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him for that day.
- Psalms 71:18 Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, until I proclaim Your power to the next generation, Your might to all who are to come.
- Psalms 73:26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
- Psalms 90:10 The length of our days is seventy years—or eighty if we are strong—yet their pride is but labor and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away.
- Psalms 92:13 Planted in the house of the LORD, they will flourish in the courts of our God.
- 2 Samuel 19:35 I am now eighty years old. Can I discern what is good and what is not? Can your servant taste what he eats or drinks? Can I still hear the voice of singing men and women? Why should your servant be an added burden to my lord the king?
- Ecclesiastes 12:1 Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of adversity come and the years approach of which you will say, “I find no pleasure in them,”
- 2 Timothy 4:18 And the Lord will rescue me from every evil action and bring me safely into His heavenly kingdom. To Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
- 2 Samuel 21:15 Once again the Philistines waged war against Israel, and David and his servants went down and fought against the Philistines. But David became exhausted.