Psalms 71:18
Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come.
Study Note
Study Note
The elderly psalmist's petition — 'so even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come' — frames old age not as retirement from witness but as the season of intergenerational testimony. The prayer grounds the request for divine presence in the specific purpose of proclamation: the aging believer needs continued life not for personal comfort but to transmit the story of divine faithfulness to the next generation. The psalm (71) has no superscription but is widely associated with David's aged perspective, and its movement from lament to praise models the pattern of faithful response to the vulnerability of old age. The verse has been central to Christian reflection on the vocation of the elderly and the theological importance of living memory within a worshiping community.
Other Translations
Yea, even when I am old and grayheaded, O God, forsake me not, Until I have declared thy strength unto the next generation, Thy might to every one that is to come.
And also unto old age and grey hairs, O God, forsake me not, Till I declare Thy strength to a generation, To every one that cometh Thy might.
Now when I am old and grey-headed, O God, give me not up; till I have made clear your strength to this generation, and your power to all those to come.
Cross References
And it came to pass, that when Isaac was old, and his eyes were dim, so that he could not …
And thou shalt shew thy son in that day, saying, This is done because of that which the Lord did …
And it shall be when thy son asketh thee in time to come, saying, What is this? that thou shalt …
And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not through the way …
Now Eli was ninety and eight years old; and his eyes were dim, that he could not see.
And it came to pass, when he made mention of the ark of God, that he fell from off the …
Wherefore David blessed the Lord before all the congregation: and David said, Blessed be thou, Lord God of Israel our …
With all his reign and his might, and the times that went over him, and over Israel, and over all …
They shall come, and shall declare his righteousness unto a people that shall be born, that he hath done this.
Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength faileth.