While the author of this psalm is not known, it sounds like much of David’s writings so we will assume it is his. David lived to be 70 years old. This psalm was written during his later years. He said in verse 18, “Now that I am old and gray, do not abandon me, O God. Let me proclaim Your power to this new generation, Your mighty miracles to all who come after me.” This verse jumped out at me and became my life’s verse; at the time I was near retirement age and was teaching the senior men’s Sunday School class, and I placed this verse on the outside of our classroom door.
David may have written this after his son, Absalom tried to overthrow him. Absalom was killed in battle and one of David’s trusted advisors who had turned against him committed suicide, but many of the opposing army were still alive. David said, “everyone who tried to hurt me has been shamed and humiliated”, but he could not be sure who to trust.
David knew who he could trust; it was God. “O Lord, You alone are my hope. I have trusted You, O Lord from childhood.” He mentioned how much praise he has given to God. “You have been my strength and protection. That is why I can never stop praising You.”
David, like Abraham and Moses, believed that God had a purpose for him in his old age. There is so much work God wants to accomplish, and He is looking to use all Christians until He calls us home. (Ref: Ephesians 2:10).