Psalm 71 — A Sermon
“The God Who Never Lets Go”
Text: Psalm 71
There are some psalms that sound like the voice of a young warrior marching into battle. Psalm 71 sounds more like the voice of an older saint looking back over life’s journey and saying, “God has never failed me.”
The writer has seen joys and sorrows, victories and defeats, mountains and valleys. Yet through it all he has discovered one great truth: God is faithful.
The world changes. Governments change. Friends may come and go. Our strength may fade. But God remains the same.
David begins by saying:
“In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust.”
What a wonderful place to start. Before he talks about his troubles, he talks about his trust. Before he mentions his enemies, he mentions his God.
That is a lesson for every believer. Problems become smaller when we see them in the light of God’s greatness.
Life is not always easy. There are storms that we do not understand. There are tears we cannot explain. There are burdens we wish we did not have to carry. Yet David reminds us that God is a refuge in every season of life.
The psalmist then looks back over the years and remembers God’s hand upon him from childhood.
“By thee have I been holden up from the womb.”
David realizes that he did not arrive where he is by his own strength. Every breath, every blessing, every victory came from the hand of God.
When we stop and look back, we can say the same. The Lord protected us when we did not even know we needed protection. He opened doors we could never have opened ourselves. He carried us through trials that seemed impossible at the time.
Many of God’s greatest works are only seen clearly when we look in the rear-view mirror of life.
As the psalm continues, David speaks honestly about growing older.
“Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength faileth.”
The body may weaken. The hair may turn grey. The step may become slower. Yet God’s love never grows old.
The world often values youth, strength, and success. God values faithfulness.
An older believer who has walked with God for many years possesses something precious: a testimony of God’s faithfulness.
The enemy would like us to think that our usefulness ends when our strength decreases. Psalm 71 teaches the opposite. Some of the greatest ministries are ministries of prayer, encouragement, wisdom, and testimony.
David was not asking merely to survive old age. He wanted to serve God in old age.
That is why he says:
“I will hope continually, and will yet praise thee more and more.”
Notice those words: more and more.
Many people praise less as they grow older. David praised more.
Why? Because every year gave him more evidence of God’s goodness.
Every answered prayer became another reason to worship.
Every deliverance became another reason to sing.
Every trial survived became another testimony of grace.
Then David reveals one of his greatest desires:
“Until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come.”
He wanted the next generation to know about God.
Faith is never meant to stop with us. We are called to pass the torch to those who follow.
The younger generation does not simply need information. They need testimonies. They need to hear how God answers prayer, how God forgives sin, how God heals broken hearts, and how God remains faithful in difficult times.
David wanted his life to point others toward the Lord.
As the psalm draws to a close, David praises the greatness of God.
“O God, who is like unto thee!”
The answer is simple: no one.
No one loves like God.
No one saves like God.
No one forgives like God.
No one remains faithful like God.
People may disappoint us, but God never will.
Circumstances may change, but God never changes.
The psalm ends with praise. David lifts his voice in worship because he knows that the God who helped him yesterday will help him tomorrow.
Psalm 71 reminds us that the Christian life is not a sprint but a lifelong journey. From childhood to old age, from strength to weakness, from sunshine to storm, God’s hand remains upon His people.
Perhaps today you are facing difficulties. Perhaps you feel weak. Perhaps you wonder what lies ahead.
Psalm 71 gives the answer:
Trust the Lord.
Remember His faithfulness.
Keep praising Him.
Tell others about Him.
And never forget that the God who carried you this far will carry you all the way home.
Amen.
GOD IS A GOOD GOD
GOD KNOWS, GOD LOVES, GOD CARES
Written for georgeswebministries
15th June 2026