Psalms 71:11
Saying, God hath forsaken him: persecute and take him; for there is none to deliver him.
Psalms 71:11 (KJV)
Context
Psalm 71 is a heartfelt prayer of David, who cries out for God’s protection and deliverance amid relentless opposition. Throughout the psalm he recalls God’s past faithfulness and affirms his confidence that the same God who rescued him before will act again. In verse 11 the hostile crowd declares, “God hath forsaken him; persecute and take him; for there is none to deliver him,” echoing the slander and false accusations that David endures.
Meaning
The enemies’ words are a false accusation meant to undermine David’s credibility and faith. They see his distressed condition, perhaps his flight from his son and his small company, and conclude that God has abandoned him. Their call to “persecute and take him” means to pursue him eagerly, lose no time, and seize him without fear of God or man. The claim that “there is none to deliver him” reflects their belief that no one will rescue him, but it is their perspective, not David’s reality.
Biblical connections
David’s response stands in contrast to the enemies’ accusations. In the following verse he prays, “O God, be not far from me: O my God, make haste for my help” (Psalm 71:12), and he declares, “But I will hope continually, and will yet praise thee more and more” (Psalm 71:14). These verses show that even when others say God has forsaken him, David turns to God in trust. The broader biblical theme is that there is no saviour besides God; if He does not deliver His people, none can.
Application
Trusting God in Trials – When false accusations or hardships arise, we can follow David’s example by placing our trust in God, believing He works behind the scenes for our good even when He seems distant.
Seeking God’s Deliverance – Rather than relying on human retaliation, we are invited to bring our pleas before the Lord, trusting Him to be our vindicator and protector.
Encouraging Others – In moments when friends suffer slander, persecution, or feelings of abandonment, we can offer empathy, prayer, and reminders of God’s steadfast faithfulness, urging them to hold fast to the hope of divine deliverance.
Reflection
Good people may seem to others to be forsaken of God, and they themselves may sometimes think so. God may withdraw His gracious presence for a small moment, but He never finally and totally abandons His own. The enemies’ claim is ultimately false, for God does not desert His people. David’s unwavering trust reminds us that God’s presence is not dependent on human perception, and He remains the true Deliverer.
