For thou art my hope, O Lord GOD: thou art my trust from my youth.
-The prayer in Psalms 71:4 is followed, first, by the basis on which it rests (Psalms 71:5-8); then by an expanded form of it (Psalms 71:9-13).
Verse 5. For thou art my hope - i:e., my object of hope (Psalms 40:4).
O Lord God - 'Adonaay (H136) Yahweh (H3068), implying a fullness of power, dominion, and unchangeable faithfulness, which fits Him for being his constant trust.
My trust from my youth. He does not hereby commend his own trust or faith, but the God in whom he had put his trust, and whose trustworthiness he had experienced from youth (literally, plural, the various stages of youth).
Verse 6. By thee have I been holden up from the womb - (Psalms 22:9-10.)
Thou art he that took me out of my mother's bowels - literally, 'thou hast been my going forth out of my mother's bowels;' i:e., the Author of my going forth. Psalms 22:9 establishes the English version against the Septuagint [skepastees], 'Protector,' 'Benefactor' (Gesenius, from an Arabic root).
My praise shall be continually of thee - (Psalms 22:25; Psalms 44:8.)
Verse 7. I am as a wonder unto many - because of my great sufferings (Deuteronomy 28:46; Isaiah 52:14, "Many were astonished at thee (Messiah); His visage was so marred more than any man"). So also Messiah's people (1 Corinthians 4:9).
But thou my strong refuge - great as are my afflictions, greater is thy power of deliverance: therefore I have good hope (Psalms 71:14).
Verse 8. Let my mouth be filled with thy praise and with thy honour all the day - i:e., Let my mouth be still given, by thy now delivering me, fresh cause to praise thee as heretofore (Psalms 71:6, end). The answer follows in Psalms 71:15, "My mouth shall show forth thy righteousness (or faithfulness to thy word, which is thy glory; answering to "thy honour" here) and thy salvation (answering to "thy praise," the salvation vouchsafed being the theme of the praise) all the day."