Meaning of Psalms 71:20

This verse from Psalm 71 expresses a profound trust in God's redemptive power amidst extreme suffering. The psalmist, likely an aging individual reflecting on a lifetime of trials, acknowledges the severity and pervasive nature of the hardships he has endured ("troubles, many and bitter"). However, this acknowledgment is not one of despair but rather a prelude to an unwavering conviction that God, who has allowed him to experience these depths, will also be the source of his restoration and renewal. The imagery of being brought up "from the depths of the earth" signifies a complete reversal of fortune, a resurrection from a state of profound distress, hopelessness, or even a metaphorical death. It speaks to God's sovereign ability to not only permit suffering but also to ultimately overcome it and bring life and hope where there was none.

Context and Background

Psalm 71 is a psalm of lament and trust, often attributed to David in his later years, though its authorship is debated. Throughout the psalm, the speaker recounts past deliverances and current afflictions, pleading for continued divine protection and vindication. The context here is one of prolonged hardship, possibly including persecution, illness, or the general weariness of old age coupled with ongoing difficulties. The phrase "depths of the earth" evokes imagery of the grave or the underworld, suggesting a situation so dire it felt like the brink of death or utter oblivion.

Key Themes and Messages

• Sovereignty of God in Suffering: The verse acknowledges that God is the one who has "made me see troubles." This highlights the theological understanding that even difficult circumstances operate within God's permissive will or sovereign plan.
• God's Restorative Power: The core message is God's promise to "restore my life again" and "bring me up." This speaks to divine intervention that can reverse dire situations and bring about renewal.
• Hope Beyond Despair: Despite the overwhelming nature of the troubles, the psalmist maintains a confident hope, rooted in his past experiences with God's faithfulness.
• Resurrection and New Life: The imagery of being brought up from the depths carries a strong connotation of resurrection or a new beginning after a period of profound difficulty.

Spiritual Significance and Application

For believers, this verse offers immense encouragement during times of personal crisis, chronic illness, or profound spiritual dryness. It reminds us that our suffering is not necessarily an indicator of God's abandonment, but can be a pathway through which He will ultimately bring about greater good and deeper faith. The assurance of restoration points to the ultimate hope found in Christ's resurrection, where death and suffering are overcome. It calls for perseverance and a steadfast reliance on God's character, even when circumstances seem to contradict His promises.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

This verse resonates deeply with the overarching biblical narrative of God's redemptive work. It foreshadows the ultimate redemption achieved through Jesus Christ, who experienced immense suffering and death ("depths of the earth") only to be resurrected, thereby restoring life and hope to humanity. The Exodus narrative, where God delivered Israel from the bondage of Egypt, also mirrors this theme of rescue from a state of oppression and despair. Furthermore, the concept of God bringing his people back from exile, a period of profound spiritual and national "death," aligns with this promise of restoration.

Analogies

• A Shipwreck Survivor: Imagine a sailor who has been tossed by a violent storm, his ship broken, and himself cast into the raging sea. He feels as though he is sinking into the depths. Yet, the verse assures that the rescuer will not only pull him from the water but will restore him to safety and a new life on solid ground.
• A Seed Buried: A seed buried deep in the earth undergoes a period of apparent death and decay. However, this "death" is a necessary precursor to new life, as the seed germinates and breaks forth into a new plant, reaching towards the light.
• Winter to Spring: The harshness and apparent lifelessness of winter, where the earth seems dead and buried under snow, is a period of deep dormancy. Yet, the unfailing cycle of nature promises the eventual return of spring, bringing vibrant life and renewal.

Relation to Other Verses

• Job 19:25-26: "But I know that my Redeemer lives, and he will stand upon the earth in the end. And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God." This passage expresses a similar conviction of future vindication and restoration even in the face of immense suffering and physical decay.
• Romans 8:18: "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed in us." This New Testament passage echoes the psalmist's perspective, framing current troubles as temporary in light of future, glorious redemption.
• 2 Corinthians 4:8-9: "We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed." This verse highlights the resilience and divine preservation that believers can experience amidst suffering, aligning with the psalmist's trust in God's restorative power.
• Psalm 23:4: "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me." This familiar psalm speaks to God's presence and comfort during the darkest of times, supporting the psalmist's confidence that God's presence will ultimately lead to deliverance.