Psalm 71:11
ESV
and say, "God has forsaken him; pursue and seize him, for there is none to deliver him."
NIV
They say, "God has forsaken him; pursue him and seize him, for no one will rescue him."
NASB
Saying, 'God has abandoned him; Pursue and seize him, for there is no one to save him.'
CSB
saying, "God has abandoned him; chase him and catch him, for there is no one to rescue him."
NLT
They say, 'God has abandoned him. Let’s go and get him, for no one will help him now.'
KJV
Saying, God hath forsaken him: persecute and take him; for there is none to deliver him.
NKJV
Saying, “God has forsaken him; Pursue and take him, for there is none to deliver him.”
What does Psalm 71:11 mean?
Please see our chapter commentary on Psalm 71, verse-level content coming soon!Psalm 71:9–13 follows an explanation of the psalmist's lifelong faith (Psalm 71:5–8). Now he is older, and not as strong as he once was. Perhaps because of this, enemies think God has abandoned the psalmist, so they can attack him at will. The psalm calls on the Lord to turn the hurtful mockery of these liars back against them. Rather than their conspiracy succeeding, the psalmist prays these foes would quickly be thwarted and shamed for what they attempt to do.
The psalmist—possibly David—repeats a prayer for rescue resembling the opening verses of psalm 31. After a lifetime of noticeable faithfulness, the psalmist is fully confident that God will provide a rescue from his troubles. Again, the psalmist asks God to be with him despite his old age. When the expected salvation is accomplished, the psalmist plans to continue to worship the Lord and invite others to do the same.
