332. PSA 71:9. THE PRAYER OF THE AGED
Psa_71:9. The Prayer of the Aged
"Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength falleth."’97Psa_71:9.
This Psa. was penned by David in old age, and may be properly called the aged disciple’s portion. He commences it by expressing his confidence in God, ver. 1; he fervently supplicates deliverance and salvation, ver. 2; he expresses his earnest desire to dwell in God, ver. 3; again, solicits deliverance from the hands of his enemies; he avows his hope in God, and takes a retrospect of his ground of trust from his youth up, ver. 5; he then acknowledges the providential care of God, even from his birth, ver. 6; and states that he is a wonderful monument of the goodness of God; he wishes to feel truly grateful, and to rejoice in God, ver. 8; then as it were apprized of his old age and increasing frailties, he prays in the text, "Cast me not off," &c. Let us notice,
I. The Period referred to.
"The time of old age."
II. The Prayer presented.
"Cast me not off."
III. The Reasons the aged Pious may entertain that this Prayer shall be answered.
I. The Period referred to.
"Time of old age." Now we remark,
1. That this is a period at which few of our fellow-creatures arrive.
Take a survey of any assembly, and how few aged persons are to be seen by many, like the May flower, only live a day and then fade and die; every year of child hood is alike the year of death; here and there we see a man or woman laden with years, but facts fully attest that very few reach that period.
2. It is a period of weakness and infirmities.
This is beautifully expressed in the 91st Psa., ascribed to Moses, ver. 9, 10. Even if health be continued, yet the system weakens, and all its parts become impaired; the effects of time are observable on every earthly object. See that monument of ancient architectural grandeur. Its beauty is effaced, its massive pillars crumble, its foundation totters, and at last falls into a heap of ruins. The oak, of which it is said that three centuries are necessary to its growth, three more it flourishes in maturity, and then requires three more to effect its decay; yet it does decay, by a load of years it withers, and is borne down to the earth, and passes away Need we wonder, then, that man, frail man, who is but as grass, and as the flower of the field, should wither away? Solomon has given us a most striking view of the infirmities attending old age, in the book of Ecc_12:13. When the arms and hands tremble, the knees and legs totter, when food can scarcely be masticated, because the teeth fail, &c. when the eyes become dim, &c.; when the mouth is pressed together by reason of the loss of teeth, and the person almost has to return to the food of children; when the rest is broken and unrefreshing, that they arise at the voice of the birds, &c. when the voice loses its melody and power, and the daughter of music, &c.; where natural courage and intrepidity fails, and they are afraid of that which is high, and fears shall greatly occupy and disturb the mind; when the almond tree, that is, the head, shall flourish with gray hairs; when even the smallest exercise shall exhaust so that the grasshopper be a burden; when the earth, amid all its rich variety, shall cease to interest and attract, so that all desire and enjoyment shall fail; when every thing about the man denotes decay, and that he is hastening to his long home, and to the house appointed for all living.
3. It is often the period of sufferings and adversity.
Not only of natural weakness, but often connected with disease and pain. We seldom meet with a man entirely free from all diseases, how much less is it to be expected in old age; often, too, old age and poverty are allied; in that class who have to depend entirely on their own labor for subsistence, the aged must of necessity suffer. Some have been improvident, and have wasted what would have secured old age from want. Others have been unfortunate, they have never been able to do more than supply the wants of the day. Others have had afflictions which have drained them of all their pecuniary resources, and now they have not bodily energy to toil, &c. Old age is often,
4. The period of solitude and desertion.
The aged man often looks around, and finds himself a stranger in the world where he has resided so long. The face of nature, by cultivation and changes, is totally altered; the village in which he was born has become a populous town; those who were his contemporaries in youth, have all perished from the earth; "Lover and friend," he exclaims, "thou hast put far from me;" perhaps his family have died before him, and he remains like a solitary tree in the wilderness. It seldom happens that the aged meet with that respect and veneration to which they are entitled: their habits are peculiar, their language is often the antiquated speech of the past generation; very often their own children are cold, and careless, and unkind; and often they are doomed to feel that they are a burden to all around.
5. It is a period of peculiar solemnity.
Such are in the evening of life’s day; such are necessarily on the borders of eternity; with such the harvest is nearly past. Little alteration can be expected in old age, except the gradual mellowing of the ripe corn for the garner of eternal glory; such have great opportunities and blessings to account for; "where much is given," &c.; seventy years of reason, temporal blessings, sabbaths, bibles, spiritual influence, &c. oh, it is indeed a deeply affecting period. Let us glance, II At the Prayer Presented.
"Cast me not off’97forsake me not" &c.
1. Cast me not from thy directing and supporting care, and forsake me not in the times of weakness and perplexity.
Who can do without God? he is the Guide of his people. "If thy presence go not," &c. Without Christ we can do nothing; he must strengthen and uphold.
2. Cast me not off in seasons of sorrow and infirmity, and forsake me not in the day of darkness and trouble.
In sorrow we require solace; a infirmity, comfort; in darkness, light; and in trouble, help.
3. Cast me not off from thy friendship, and forsake me not when earthly comforts fail me.
Earthly comforts do fail; friends die or desert us; God can make up for all; see Hab_3:17.
4. Cast me not off from thy forbearing regards, and forsake me not on account of my unworthiness.
We all need God’s forbearing regards; but when we can do nothing, when we seem useless in the world, then we are in danger of desponding, of writing bitter things, &c.
5. Cast me not off when my flesh faileth, and forsake me not in the valley of dissolution.
When flesh and heart fail, we shall especially need God’s help; so, too, when we pass through the valley and the shadow of death. Such, then, is the prayer.
III. What Reasons have aged Disciples to expect God will answer it.
1. From the nature of the divine love.
It is not founded on our youth, beauty, parts, or usefulness, but on his own spontaneous goodness. The source and medium of God’s love cannot alter.
2. From the examples recorded in revelation.
See Jacob dying in peace, and exclaiming, "I have waited for thy salvation;" behold David, and as the power of sense and reason weakens, the visions of prophecy brighten, and he utters the 72nd Psa., and concludes, ver. 18, &c. See Simeon, Luk_2:28, &c.
3. From the fulness of scripture declarations and promises.
"The hoary head shall be," &c., Isa_46:4; Psa_91:15; Job_5:19, to the end.
Application
1. Comfort the aged.
2. Exhort them to prayer, patience, and usefulness.
8. Warn the aged sinner, &c.
Autor: JABEZ BURNS