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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Psalm 71:11 saying, "God has forsaken him; pursue him and seize him, for there is no one to rescue him."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/71-11.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/13/19_Psa_071_011.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Psalm 71:11 - In You, O LORD, I Have Taken Refuge" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="saying, God has forsaken him; pursue him and seize him, for there is no one to rescue him." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/psalms/71-11.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/psalms/71-11.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/psalms/">Psalms</a> > <a href="/psalms/71.htm">Chapter 71</a> > Verse 11</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad11.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/psalms/71-10.htm" title="Psalm 71:10">◄</a> Psalm 71:11 <a href="/psalms/71-12.htm" title="Psalm 71:12">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/psalms/71.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/psalms/71.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />They say, &#8220God has forsaken him; pursue him and seize him, for no one will rescue him.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/psalms/71.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />They say, “God has abandoned him. Let’s go and get him, for no one will help him now.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/psalms/71.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />and say, “God has forsaken him; pursue and seize him, for there is none to deliver him.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/psalms/71.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />saying, “God has forsaken him; pursue him and seize him, for there is no one to rescue him.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/psalms/71.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Saying, God hath forsaken him: persecute and take him; for <i>there is</i> none to deliver <i>him</i>.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/psalms/71.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Saying, “God has forsaken him; Pursue and take him, for <i>there is</i> none to deliver <i>him.</i>”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/psalms/71.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Saying, “God has abandoned him; Pursue and seize him, for there is no one to save <i>him.</i>”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/psalms/71.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Saying, &#8220God has forsaken him; Pursue and seize him, for there is no one to deliver.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/psalms/71.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Saying, “God has forsaken him; Pursue and seize him, for there is no one to deliver.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/psalms/71.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Saying, “God has forsaken him; Pursue and seize him, for there is no one to deliver.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/psalms/71.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Saying, “God has abandoned him; Pursue and seize him, for there is no one to rescue <i>him</i>.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/psalms/71.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />saying, “God has abandoned him; chase him and catch him, for there is no one to rescue him.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/psalms/71.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />saying, &#8220God has abandoned him; chase him and catch him, for there is no one to rescue him.&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/psalms/71.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Saying, God hath forsaken him: Pursue and take him; for there is none to deliver.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/psalms/71.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />They say, "Now we'll catch you! God has deserted you, and no one can save you." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/psalms/71.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Saying, God hath forsaken him: pursue and take him; for there is none to deliver.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/psalms/71.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />They say, "God has abandoned him. Pursue him and grab him because there is no one to rescue him."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/psalms/71.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />They say, "God has abandoned him; let's go after him and catch him; there is no one to rescue him." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/psalms/71.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />and say, "God has abandoned him. Run after him and seize him, because there's no deliverer."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/psalms/71.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />saying, ?God has forsaken him; pursue him and seize him, for there is no one to rescue him.?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/psalms/71.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />They say, "God has abandoned him. Run and seize him, for there is no one who will rescue him!" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/psalms/71.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />saying, "God has forsaken him. Pursue and take him, for no one will rescue him."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/psalms/71.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Saying, God hath forsaken him: persecute and take him; for there is none to deliver him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/psalms/71.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />saying, “God has forsaken him. Pursue and take him, for no one will rescue him.” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/psalms/71.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Saying, “God has forsaken him, "" Pursue and catch him, for there is no deliverer.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/psalms/71.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Saying, 'God hath forsaken him, Pursue and catch him, for there is no deliverer.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/psalms/71.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Saying, God forsook him: pursue him and take him, for none delivering.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/psalms/71.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Saying: God hath forsaken him: pursue and take him, for there is none to deliver him. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/psalms/71.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 70:11>saying: “God has abandoned him. Pursue and overtake him. For there is no one to rescue him.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/psalms/71.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />They say, “God has abandoned him. Pursue, and seize him! No one will come to the rescue!” <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/psalms/71.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />They say, “Pursue and seize that person whom God has forsaken, for there is no one to deliver.”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/psalms/71.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Saying, God has forsaken him; pursue and take him; for there is none to deliver him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/psalms/71.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And they said, "God has forsaken him; pursue him and take him because he has no Savior."<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/psalms/71.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Saying: 'God hath forsaken him; Pursue and take him; for there is none to deliver.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/psalms/71.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />saying, God has forsaken him: persecute ye and take him; for there is none to deliver <i>him</i>.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/psalms/71-11.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nFaD2oDhKPc?start=8516" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/psalms/71.htm">In You, O LORD, I Have Taken Refuge</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">10</span>For my enemies speak against me, and those who lie in wait for my life conspire, <span class="reftext">11</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: lê·mōr (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">saying,</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: ’ĕ·lō·hîm (N-mp) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">“God</a> <a href="/hebrew/5800.htm" title="5800: ‘ă·zā·ḇōw (V-Qal-Perf-3ms:: 3ms) -- To loosen, relinquish, permit. A primitive root; to loosen, i.e. Relinquish, permit, etc.">has forsaken him;</a> <a href="/hebrew/7291.htm" title="7291: riḏ·p̄ū (V-Qal-Imp-mp) -- To pursue, chase, persecute. A primitive root; to run after (of time) gone by).">pursue him</a> <a href="/hebrew/8610.htm" title="8610: wə·ṯip̄·śū·hū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-Imp-mp:: 3ms) -- A primitive root; to manipulate, i.e. Seize; chiefly to capture, wield, specifically, to overlay; figuratively, to use unwarrantably.">and seize him,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî- (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">for</a> <a href="/hebrew/369.htm" title="369: ’ên (Adv) -- As if from a primitive root meaning to be nothing or not exist; a non-entity; generally used as a negative particle.">there is no</a> <a href="/hebrew/5337.htm" title="5337: maṣ·ṣîl (V-Hifil-Prtcpl-ms) -- To strip, plunder, deliver oneself, be delivered, snatch away, deliver. ">one to rescue him.”</a> </span><span class="reftext">12</span>Be not far from me, O God. Hurry, O my God, to help me.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/27-43.htm">Matthew 27:43</a></span><br />He trusts in God. Let God deliver Him now if He wants Him. For He said, ‘I am the Son of God.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/49-14.htm">Isaiah 49:14</a></span><br />But Zion said, “The LORD has forsaken me; the Lord has forgotten me!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/19-13.htm">Job 19:13-19</a></span><br />He has removed my brothers from me; my acquaintances have abandoned me. / My kinsmen have failed me, and my friends have forgotten me. / My guests and maidservants count me as a stranger; I am a foreigner in their sight. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/lamentations/3-31.htm">Lamentations 3:31-33</a></span><br />For the Lord will not cast us off forever. / Even if He causes grief, He will show compassion according to His abundant loving devotion. / For He does not willingly afflict or grieve the sons of men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_timothy/4-16.htm">2 Timothy 4:16-17</a></span><br />At my first defense, no one stood with me, but everyone deserted me. May it not be charged against them. / But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message would be fully proclaimed, and all the Gentiles would hear it. So I was delivered from the mouth of the lion.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/22-7.htm">Psalm 22:7-8</a></span><br />All who see me mock me; they sneer and shake their heads: / “He trusts in the LORD, let the LORD deliver him; let the LORD rescue him, since He delights in him.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/54-7.htm">Isaiah 54:7-8</a></span><br />“For a brief moment I forsook you, but with great compassion I will bring you back. / In a surge of anger I hid My face from you for a moment, but with everlasting kindness I will have compassion on you,” says the LORD your Redeemer.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/16-32.htm">John 16:32</a></span><br />“Look, an hour is coming and has already come when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and you will leave Me all alone. Yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/31-11.htm">Psalm 31:11-12</a></span><br />Among all my enemies I am a disgrace, and among my neighbors even more. I am dreaded by my friends—they flee when they see me on the street. / I am forgotten like a dead man, out of mind. I am like a broken vessel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/13-5.htm">Hebrews 13:5-6</a></span><br />Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, for God has said: “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.” / So we say with confidence: “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/38-11.htm">Psalm 38:11</a></span><br />My beloved and friends shun my disease, and my kinsmen stand at a distance.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/4-9.htm">2 Corinthians 4:9</a></span><br />persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/41-9.htm">Psalm 41:9</a></span><br />Even my close friend whom I trusted, the one who shared my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/8-31.htm">Romans 8:31</a></span><br />What then shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/42-9.htm">Psalm 42:9-10</a></span><br />I say to God my Rock, “Why have You forgotten me? Why must I walk in sorrow because of the enemy’s oppression?” / Like the crushing of my bones, my enemies taunt me, while they say to me all day long, “Where is your God?”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Saying, God has forsaken him: persecute and take him; for there is none to deliver him.</p><p class="hdg">God</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/3-2.htm">Psalm 3:2</a></b></br> Many <i>there be</i> which say of my soul, <i>There is</i> no help for him in God. Selah.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/37-25.htm">Psalm 37:25,28</a></b></br> I have been young, and <i>now</i> am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/41-7.htm">Psalm 41:7,8</a></b></br> All that hate me whisper together against me: against me do they devise my hurt… </p><p class="hdg">for there</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/7-2.htm">Psalm 7:2</a></b></br> Lest he tear my soul like a lion, rending <i>it</i> in pieces, while <i>there is</i> none to deliver.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/50-22.htm">Psalm 50:22</a></b></br> Now consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear <i>you</i> in pieces, and <i>there be</i> none to deliver.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_chronicles/32-13.htm">2 Chronicles 32:13,14</a></b></br> Know ye not what I and my fathers have done unto all the people of <i>other</i> lands? were the gods of the nations of those lands any ways able to deliver their lands out of mine hand? … </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/psalms/35-8.htm">Catch</a> <a href="/psalms/71-4.htm">Deliver</a> <a href="/psalms/70-5.htm">Deliverer</a> <a href="/psalms/38-10.htm">Forsaken</a> <a href="/psalms/54-4.htm">Helper</a> <a href="/psalms/69-26.htm">Persecute</a> <a href="/psalms/56-2.htm">Pursue</a> <a href="/psalms/71-4.htm">Rescue</a> <a href="/psalms/69-24.htm">Seize</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/psalms/109-11.htm">Catch</a> <a href="/psalms/72-12.htm">Deliver</a> <a href="/psalms/140-7.htm">Deliverer</a> <a href="/psalms/88-5.htm">Forsaken</a> <a href="/psalms/72-12.htm">Helper</a> <a href="/psalms/83-15.htm">Persecute</a> <a href="/psalms/83-15.htm">Pursue</a> <a href="/psalms/72-14.htm">Rescue</a> <a href="/psalms/109-8.htm">Seize</a><div class="vheading2">Psalm 71</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/71-1.htm">David, in confidence of faith, and experience of God's favor, prays both for himself, </a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/71-10.htm">and against the enemies of his soul</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/71-14.htm">He promises constancy</a></span><br><span class="reftext">17. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/71-17.htm">He prays for perseverance</a></span><br><span class="reftext">19. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/71-19.htm">He praises God, and promises to do it cheerfully</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/71.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/psalms/71.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>saying, “God has forsaken him;</b><br>This phrase reflects a common theme in the Psalms where the psalmist feels abandoned by God. It echoes the sentiments found in <a href="/psalms/22.htm">Psalm 22:1</a>, which Jesus quotes on the cross, highlighting a moment of deep distress and perceived divine abandonment. Historically, this reflects the trials faced by David, who often felt pursued by enemies and isolated. Theologically, it underscores the testing of faith and the human experience of feeling distant from God, a theme that resonates throughout Scripture.<p><b>pursue him and seize him,</b><br>This part of the verse captures the aggressive intent of the psalmist's enemies. In the historical context of David's life, he was frequently pursued by King Saul and later by his own son Absalom. The language of pursuit and capture is reminiscent of military tactics in ancient Israel, where enemies would relentlessly chase their targets. This phrase also typifies the spiritual warfare believers face, as described in <a href="/ephesians/6-12.htm">Ephesians 6:12</a>, where the forces of evil seek to capture and destroy the faithful.<p><b>for there is no one to rescue him.”</b><br>The assertion that there is no one to rescue the psalmist highlights a moment of vulnerability and desperation. In the cultural context of ancient Israel, community and kinship were vital for protection and support. The absence of a rescuer implies a complete isolation, which is a powerful image of despair. This phrase can be seen as a type of Christ, who, during His crucifixion, was seemingly abandoned and without rescue, fulfilling the prophecy of the suffering servant in <a href="/isaiah/53.htm">Isaiah 53</a>. It also points to the ultimate reliance on God as the true deliverer, as seen in the eventual vindication and deliverance of the psalmist in the broader context of the Psalm.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/p/psalmist.htm">Psalmist</a></b><br>The author of <a href="/bsb/psalms/71.htm">Psalm 71</a>, traditionally attributed to David, who is expressing a plea for God's protection and deliverance in the face of adversaries.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/a/adversaries.htm">Adversaries</a></b><br>The unnamed enemies who are speaking against the psalmist, claiming that God has abandoned him.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The central figure whom the psalmist trusts for deliverance and protection, despite the claims of his enemies.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_presence.htm">Trust in God's Presence</a></b><br>Despite the claims of adversaries, believers can trust that God has not forsaken them. The Hebrew root for "forsaken" ('azab) implies a complete abandonment, which God promises never to do to His faithful.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/responding_to_false_accusations.htm">Responding to False Accusations</a></b><br>When others claim that God has abandoned us, we should respond with faith and reliance on God's promises rather than fear or despair.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god_as_our_rescuer.htm">God as Our Rescuer</a></b><br>The psalmist's confidence in God as a rescuer is a model for us. We should remember that God is our ultimate deliverer, even when human help seems absent.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/e/endurance_in_trials.htm">Endurance in Trials</a></b><br>Trials and adversities are opportunities to deepen our faith and reliance on God. The psalmist's experience encourages us to endure with hope and trust.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/community_support.htm">Community Support</a></b><br>While the psalmist feels isolated, the broader biblical account encourages believers to seek and offer support within the community of faith, reflecting God's presence through mutual encouragement.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_psalm_71.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Psalm 71</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_can_a_baby_rely_on_god_in_psalm_71_6.htm">In Psalm 71:6, how can the psalmist claim reliance on God 'from birth' if an infant cannot consciously exercise faith?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_psalm_43_2_imply_god_forsakes.htm">Why does Psalm 43:2 suggest God has forsaken the writer, when other passages emphasize God's constant presence?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_romans_7_23-24_conflict_with_psalms.htm">Does Romans 7:23-24's depiction of a 'law waging war' conflict with Psalms and other texts that describe humans as inherently capable of righteousness?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_god_heal_the_brokenhearted.htm">Are you weary and seeking rest in God?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/71.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 11.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Saying, God hath forsaken him: persecute and take him; for there is none to deliver him.</span> Compare the words of Ahithophel, "Let me now choose out twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue alter David this night; and I will come upon him while he is <span class="accented">weary and weak handed</span>; and all the people that are with him shall flee; and I will smite the king only" (<a href="/2_samuel/17-1.htm">2 Samuel 17:1, 2</a>). It no doubt appeared to Absalom's party generally, as it did to Shimei, that God had "forsakes" David, and turned against him (<a href="/2_samuel/16-8.htm">2 Samuel 16:8</a>). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/psalms/71-11.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">saying,</span><br /><span class="heb">לֵ֭אמֹר</span> <span class="translit">(lê·mōr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“God</span><br /><span class="heb">אֱלֹהִ֣ים</span> <span class="translit">(’ĕ·lō·hîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> </span><span class="str2">gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative</span><br /><br /><span class="word">has forsaken him;</span><br /><span class="heb">עֲזָב֑וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(‘ă·zā·ḇōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5800.htm">Strong's 5800: </a> </span><span class="str2">To loosen, relinquish, permit</span><br /><br /><span class="word">pursue him</span><br /><span class="heb">רִֽדְפ֥וּ</span> <span class="translit">(riḏ·p̄ū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7291.htm">Strong's 7291: </a> </span><span class="str2">To pursue, chase, persecute</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and seize him,</span><br /><span class="heb">וְ֝תִפְשׂ֗וּהוּ</span> <span class="translit">(wə·ṯip̄·śū·hū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8610.htm">Strong's 8610: </a> </span><span class="str2">To manipulate, seize, chiefly to capture, wield, to overlay, to use unwarrantably</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּי־</span> <span class="translit">(kî-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">there is no</span><br /><span class="heb">אֵ֥ין</span> <span class="translit">(’ên)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_369.htm">Strong's 369: </a> </span><span class="str2">A non-entity, a negative particle</span><br /><br /><span class="word">one to rescue him.”</span><br /><span class="heb">מַצִּֽיל׃</span> <span class="translit">(maṣ·ṣîl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5337.htm">Strong's 5337: </a> </span><span class="str2">To strip, plunder, deliver oneself, be delivered, snatch away, deliver</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/psalms/71-11.htm">Psalm 71:11 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/psalms/71-11.htm">Psalm 71:11 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/psalms/71-11.htm">Psalm 71:11 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/psalms/71-11.htm">Psalm 71:11 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/psalms/71-11.htm">Psalm 71:11 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/psalms/71-11.htm">Psalm 71:11 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/psalms/71-11.htm">Psalm 71:11 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/psalms/71-11.htm">Psalm 71:11 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/psalms/71-11.htm">Psalm 71:11 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/psalms/71-11.htm">Psalm 71:11 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/psalms/71-11.htm">OT Poetry: Psalm 71:11 Saying God has forsaken him (Psalm Ps Psa.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/psalms/71-10.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Psalm 71:10"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Psalm 71:10" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/psalms/71-12.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Psalm 71:12"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Psalm 71:12" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>