Psalms 71:11

Authorized King James Version

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Saying, God hath forsaken him: persecute and take him; for there is none to deliver him.

Original Language Analysis

לֵ֭אמֹר Saying H559
לֵ֭אמֹר Saying
Strong's: H559
Word #: 1 of 8
to say (used with great latitude)
אֱלֹהִ֣ים God H430
אֱלֹהִ֣ים God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 2 of 8
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
עֲזָב֑וֹ hath forsaken H5800
עֲזָב֑וֹ hath forsaken
Strong's: H5800
Word #: 3 of 8
to loosen, i.e., relinquish, permit, etc
רִֽדְפ֥וּ him persecute H7291
רִֽדְפ֥וּ him persecute
Strong's: H7291
Word #: 4 of 8
to run after (usually with hostile intent; figuratively [of time] gone by)
וְ֝תִפְשׂ֗וּהוּ and take H8610
וְ֝תִפְשׂ֗וּהוּ and take
Strong's: H8610
Word #: 5 of 8
to manipulate, i.e., seize; chiefly to capture, wield, specifically, to overlay; figuratively, to use unwarrantably
כִּי H3588
כִּי
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 6 of 8
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אֵ֥ין H369
אֵ֥ין
Strong's: H369
Word #: 7 of 8
a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle
מַצִּֽיל׃ him for there is none to deliver H5337
מַצִּֽיל׃ him for there is none to deliver
Strong's: H5337
Word #: 8 of 8
to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense

Analysis & Commentary

Enemies conclude 'God hath forsaken him' and therefore 'persecute and take him; for there is none to deliver.' They interpret suffering as evidence of divine abandonment, emboldening their attacks. This lie—that trouble means God's absence—contradicts covenant promises. Satan used this tactic against Job. Christ's cry 'My God, why hast thou forsaken me?' (Matthew 27:46) experienced true abandonment for our sake, ensuring believers are never actually forsaken (Hebrews 13:5).

Historical Context

Ancient theology often equated prosperity with divine favor and suffering with divine judgment. While Scripture teaches God disciplines His children, it rejects the idea that all suffering indicates abandonment.

Questions for Reflection