A quick Google search of “the Psalm of the Aged Man” immediately pulls up Psalm 71. This Psalm is also called the “Prayer of the Elderly Man” or “Prayer of an Old Man.” In it the psalmist expresses his heart for the younger generations.
This Psalm may have been written by King David late in his life. It is definitely the prayer of an older believer. In it the older man expresses his confidence in God. He speaks of how God has led and helped him throughout his life. The author asks God for help to deliver him from his present troubles, from his enemies that seek to harm him even still. This older man remembers God’s past faithfulness as he asks for further blessings.
When we read this psalm of the aged man, we also see his strong desire to be used of God to encourage the younger generations to serve Him. I would like to draw your attention to the second part of this prayer. It shows us some ways that older Christians today can be a godly influence on the younger generations.
Psalm 71:15-24
15 My mouth will tell of your righteous acts, of your deeds of salvation all the day, for their number is past my knowledge. 16 With the mighty deeds of the Lord GOD I will come; I will remind them of your righteousness, yours alone. 17 O God, from my youth you have taught me, and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds. 18 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. 19 Your righteousness, O God, reaches the high heavens. You who have done great things, O God, who is like you? 20 You who have made me see many troubles and calamities will revive me again; from the depths of the earth you will bring me up again. 21 You will increase my greatness and comfort me again. 22 I will also praise you with the harp for your faithfulness, O my God; I will sing praises to you with the lyre, O Holy One of Israel. 23 My lips will shout for joy, when I sing praises to you; my soul also, which you have redeemed. 24 And my tongue will talk of your righteous help all the day long, for they have been put to shame and disappointed who sought to do me hurt.
What can older believers in Jesus Christ today learn from this Psalm that would help influence younger generations for the Lord?
Be an example to younger generations of what it means to live for God.
This is most important. This is the main point. The author of this Psalm is determined to keep serving God in his older years: “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” (v.18).
Older saints provide an important example for younger believers. God’s people must not follow the world’s trends to become self-absorbed, worldly, and focused on recreation and pleasure seeking in their late years. Younger generations are watching.
Be concerned/burdened for the younger generations to know and serve God.
The love of Christ must dominate words and actions towards younger people. Every older saint should focus his/her heart on the importance of faith in Christ among the younger generations.
There is a strong temptation to become critical, judgmental, and impatient as we age. Older believers must resist this common ungodly attitude and instead embrace the law of Christ–His love–for younger people.
Take up the ministry of prayer for your children’s and grandchildren’s generation. This is an extremely important ministry for older believers! I encourage you to read the series of articles I have written to encourage this. The first article is: Still Fruitful: The Value of Senior Saints.
Tell younger generations stories from your journey with God.
Notice all of the mentions of speaking and singing about God and His ways. This older man wants to tell of his experience with God (at least 9x).
Psalm 71:15-24 again:
15 My mouth will tell of your righteous acts, of your deeds of salvation all the day, for their number is past my knowledge. 16 With the mighty deeds of the Lord GOD I will come; I will remind them of your righteousness, yours alone. 17 O God, from my youth you have taught me, and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds. 18 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. 19 Your righteousness, O God, reaches the high heavens. You who have done great things, O God, who is like you? 20 You who have made me see many troubles and calamities will revive me again; from the depths of the earth you will bring me up again. 21 You will increase my greatness and comfort me again. 22 I will also praise you with the harp for your faithfulness, O my God; I will sing praises to you with the lyre, O Holy One of Israel. 23 My lips will shout for joy, when I sing praises to you; my soul also, which you have redeemed. 24 And my tongue will talk of your righteous help all the day long, for they have been put to shame and disappointed who sought to do me hurt.
Do you want to influence the younger generation? This psalm tells us how:
- Tell them of how God has taught you from your youth (v.17)
- Tell them of how God has proved His power and faithfulness throughout your life (v.18-20).
- Tell them of your hope and confidence in God both now and forever (v.20-24).
Be human with them. Be honest.
We must tell them our stories—the real ones: both victories and failures, joys and sorrows, and how God taught us through these things. As appropriate, we need to tell them how God taught us when we struggled with sin, faced depression, failed the Lord. They need to hear about the ways God helped us through difficult trials. We must tell them about how we came to know Jesus.
Through example, love, prayer, and testimony, older believers can have a powerful influence on younger generations. This is the heart of the psalmist here. He knew that he needed God’s grace and blessing to enable him to do this, and so do we.
Photo courtesy of ecampusontario.
Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations are taken from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®).
