Psalms 71:2

“Deliver me in thy righteousness, and cause me to escape: incline thine ear unto me, and save me.”

Psalm 71:2 (KJV): “Deliver me in thy righteousness, and cause me to escape: incline thine ear unto me, and save me.”

Context: Before diving into a specific verse, it is important to understand its context. Psalm 71 is attributed to King David, and it is a prayer for deliverance from enemies and affliction. David seeks God’s help and protection, expressing his trust and dependence on God.

Deliverance in righteousness: In this verse, David calls upon God to deliver him in His righteousness. David recognizes that God is just and righteous, and he seeks deliverance in accordance with God’s righteous character. This implies that David is not relying on his own merits but on the righteousness of God to rescue him from his troubles.

Escape and salvation: David also asks God to cause him to escape and save him. He desires to be delivered from his enemies and the afflictions he is facing. This shows David’s vulnerability and his need for God’s intervention. David recognizes that God is his ultimate source of safety and salvation.

God’s attentiveness: David pleads with God to incline His ear unto him. This indicates David’s longing for God’s attention and his belief that God is listening to his prayers. David knows that he can pour out his heart before God, confident that God hears his cries.

Application: Psalm 71:2 teaches us several important lessons:

• Trust in God’s righteousness: We can rely on God’s righteousness and justice when seeking deliverance or help. It is not about our own merit but about trusting in God’s character and His faithfulness to His promises.
• Dependence on God’s intervention: Just as David looked to God for escape and salvation, we should acknowledge our dependence on God in times of trouble. We can bring our concerns to Him, knowing that He is able to deliver us.
• Persistent prayer: David’s plea for God to incline His ear implies persistent prayer. We should approach God with perseverance, pouring out our hearts and making our requests known to Him.
• God’s attentiveness: The verse also reminds us of God’s attentiveness to His children. He hears our prayers and listens to our cries. We can find comfort in knowing that God is always there, ready to listen and respond.