Psalms 71:9 Meaning and Explanation
“Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength faileth.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The psalmist asks God not to abandon him in old age when he becomes vulnerable.
The Context of Psalms 71:9
The psalmist's deepest fear: being abandoned when he is weakest.
What Does Psalms 71:9 Mean?
Age and failing strength bring vulnerability: the speaker cannot defend or provide for himself as once he could. 'Cast off' and 'forsake' name the deepest fear—not death but abandonment, being left to face ruin alone. The prayer is most poignant here because the psalmist acknowledges his own limitations.
This verse speaks to a universal anxiety: that God's care depends on our utility or strength. The prayer implicitly asserts that God's covenant is not conditional on vitality, and that the most vulnerable deserve the most faithful protection.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psalms 71:9
What does Psalms 71:9 mean?
The psalmist asks God not to abandon him in old age when he becomes vulnerable.
What is the context of Psalms 71:9?
The psalmist's deepest fear: being abandoned when he is weakest.