The Meaning of Psalms 71:7 Explained

Psalms 71:7

KJV: I am as a wonder unto many; but thou art my strong refuge.

YLT: As a wonder I have been to many, And Thou art my strong refuge.

Darby: I have been as a wonder unto many; but thou art my strong refuge.

ASV: I am as a wonder unto many; But thou art my strong refuge.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

I am as a wonder  unto many;  but thou [art] my strong  refuge. 

What does Psalms 71:7 Mean?

Context Summary

Psalms 71:1-12 - "my Trust From My Youth&Rdquo
Some commentators ascribe this psalm to Jeremiah. His pensive, plaintive tone is certainly present in it. But whoever the author, he must have written in his old age, Psalms 71:9; Psalms 71:17-18. One keynote is great and greatly, Psalms 71:19-21; Psalms 71:23; another is all the day, Psalms 71:8; Psalms 71:15; Psalms 71:24.
Old men need have no failure in their buoyancy and gladness, if they will fix their thoughts where the psalmist fixed his. Other subjects will soon wear out, but they who make God's righteousness and salvation their theme will ever have material for meditation and praise. We have here an inexhaustible subject, and one which will keep us young. Let us ask for help, that we may disappoint the calculations of those who hate us, whether men or demons. It is a piteous spectacle when apparently prosperous careers" are overclouded, and age is overwhelmed in catastrophes which there is no time to surmount. But such is not God's way with His loyal servants. His rivers do not end in swamps and marshes, but broaden and deepen till they kiss the mighty ocean. [source]

Chapter Summary: Psalms 71

1  David, in confidence of faith, and experience of God's favor, prays both for himself,
10  and against the enemies of his soul
14  He promises constancy
17  He prays for perseverance
19  He praises God, and promises to do it cheerfully

What do the individual words in Psalms 71:7 mean?

As a wonder I have become to many but You [are] my refuge strong
כְּ֭מוֹפֵת הָיִ֣יתִי לְרַבִּ֑ים וְ֝אַתָּ֗ה מַֽחֲסִי־ עֹֽז

כְּ֭מוֹפֵת  As  a  wonder 
Parse: Preposition-k, Noun, masculine singular
Root: מֹופֵת  
Sense: wonder, sign, miracle, portent.
הָיִ֣יתִי  I  have  become 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, first person common singular
Root: אֶהְיֶה 
Sense: to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out.
לְרַבִּ֑ים  to  many 
Parse: Preposition-l, Adjective, masculine plural
Root: רַב 
Sense: much, many, great.
וְ֝אַתָּ֗ה  but  You  [are] 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Pronoun, second person masculine singular
Root: אַתְּ 
Sense: you (second pers.
מַֽחֲסִי־  my  refuge 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, first person common singular
Root: מַחְסֶה  
Sense: refuge, shelter.
עֹֽז  strong 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: עֹז  
Sense: might, strength.