Psalms 71 in the early church

72 passages quote, allude to, or echo Psalms 71, grouped by verse; passages on the same verse are in date order. Verse text from the Berean Standard Bible (public domain). References use the Protestant English Bible's numbering, with a writer's own numbering in brackets where it differs.

Verses: 1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · 7 · 8 · 11 · 12 · 13 · 14 · 15 · 16 · 17 · 18 · 19 · 20 · 22 · 23

Psalms 71:1

In You, O LORD, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Ps 71:1 (70:1 LXX)PG 12:1515 (Ps 70 LXX) · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 220-254
Ps 71:1 (70:1 LXX)Acts of the Abitinian Martyrs 7 · Anonymousecho, low confidence304 (12 February)
Ps 71:1 (70:1 LXX)Letter to Marcellinus 20 · Athanasius of Alexandriaallusion, high confidenceuncertain, after 335
Ps 71:1 (70:1 LXX)Letter 58.5 · Jeromequotation, medium confidenceca. 370–419
Ps 71:1 (70:1 LXX)Letter 125.7 · Jeromeallusion, medium confidenceca. 370–419
Ps 71:1–24 (70:1-Ps LXX)Psalm 70 · Apollinaris of Laodiceaquotation, high confidenceuncertain (fourth to sixth century)
Ps 71:1 (70:1 Vulg.)Sermon 160.1 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 391-430

Psalms 71:2

In Your justice, rescue and deliver me; incline Your ear and save me.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Ps 71:2 (70:2 Vulg.)Sermon 160.1 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 391-430
Ps 71:2 (70:2 Vulg.)Sermon 160.7 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 391-430

Psalms 71:3

Be my rock of refuge, where I can always go. Give the command to save me, for You are my rock and my fortress.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Ps 71:3 (70:3 LXX)PG 12:1513 (Ps 68–70 LXX) · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 220-254
Ps 71:3 (70:3 LXX)Letter 228.1 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 386–430

Psalms 71:4

Deliver me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the grasp of the unjust and ruthless.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Ps 71:4 (70:4 LXX)PG 12:1515 (Ps 70 LXX) · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 220-254
Ps 71:4 (70:4 LXX)On Patience 12 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 415

Psalms 71:5

For You are my hope, O Lord GOD, my confidence from my youth.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Ps 71:5 (70:5 LXX)PG 12:1191 (Ps 9 LXX) · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 220-254
Ps 71:5 (70:5 Vulg.)Sermon 261.1 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, medium confidenceca. 391-430
Ps 71:5 (70:5 Vulg.)Sermon 274.1 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 391-430
Ps 71:5 (70:5 Vulg.)Confessions 6.1 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 397–401
Ps 71:5 (70:5 LXX)On the Trinity 15.17 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 399–419
Ps 71:5 (70:5 LXX)On Nature and Grace 25 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidence415
Ps 71:5 (70:5 LXX)On Patience 12 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 415
Ps 71:5 (70:5 LXX)On Patience 22 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 415

Psalms 71:6

I have leaned on You since birth; You pulled me from my mother’s womb. My praise is always for You.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Ps 71:6 (70:6 LXX)PG 12:1515 (Ps 70 LXX) · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 220-254
Ps 71:6 (70:6 LXX)Commentary on Matthew 13.27 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 246–248
Ps 71:6 (70:6 LXX)On the Holy Spirit 5.11 · Basil of Caesareaquotation, high confidenceca. 374–375
Ps 71:6 (70:6 Vulg.)On the Complaints of Job and David 4.21 · Ambrosequotation, medium confidenceca. 383-390
Ps 71:6 (70:6 Vulg.)On the Complaints of Job and David 4.23 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 383-390
Ps 71:6 (70:6 LXX)Explanation of Twelve Psalms 40.35.1 · Ambroseallusion, medium confidenceca. 387-397
Ps 71:6 (70:6 LXX)Sermon 216.8 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 391-430
Ps 71:6 (70:6 Vulg.)Poem 24, lines 509–540 · Paulinus of Nolaallusion, medium confidenceca. 393–431

Psalms 71:7

I have become a portent to many, but You are my strong refuge.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Ps 71:7 (70:7 LXX)PG 12:1515 (Ps 70 LXX) · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 220-254

Psalms 71:8

My mouth is filled with Your praise and with Your splendor all day long.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Ps 71:8 (70:8 LXX)PG 12:1515 (Ps 70 LXX) · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 220-254
Ps 71:8 (70:8 LXX)Homily 7 · Gregory of Nyssaallusion, medium confidenceca. 379–394
Ps 71:8 (70:8 LXX)Exposition of Psalm 118 22.19.1 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 386-397

Psalms 71:11

saying, “God has forsaken him; pursue him and seize him, for there is no one to rescue him.”

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Ps 71:11 (70:11 LXX)PG 12:1515 (Ps 70 LXX) · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 220-254

Psalms 71:12

Be not far from me, O God. Hurry, O my God, to help me.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Ps 71:12 (70:12 LXX)PG 12:1517 (Ps 70–71 LXX) · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 220-254
Ps 71:12 (70:12 LXX)Letter 106.43 · Jeromequotation, high confidenceca. 370–419

Psalms 71:13

May the accusers of my soul be ashamed and consumed; may those who seek my harm be covered with scorn and disgrace.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Ps 71:13 (70:13 LXX)PG 12:1517 (Ps 70–71 LXX) · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 220-254

Psalms 71:14

But I will always hope and will praise You more and more.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Ps 71:14 (70:14 LXX)PG 12:1515 (Ps 70 LXX) · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 220-254
Ps 71:14 (70:14 LXX)PG 12:1517 (Ps 70–71 LXX) · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 220-254

Psalms 71:15

My mouth will declare Your righteousness and Your salvation all day long, though I cannot know their full measure.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Ps 71:15 (70:15 LXX)PG 12:1515 (Ps 70 LXX) · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 220-254
Ps 71:15 (70:15 LXX)PG 12:1517 (Ps 70–71 LXX) · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 220-254
Ps 71:15 (70:15 LXX)On the Duties of the Clergy 3.6 · Ambroseallusion, medium confidenceca. 386–390
Ps 71:15–16 (70:15-Ps LXX)Book 3, lines 176–201 · Seduliusquotation, medium confidenceca. 425-450
Ps 71:15–16 (70:15-Ps LXX)Book 3, section 14 · Seduliusquotation, medium confidenceca. 425-450
Ps 71:15–16 (70:15-Ps Vulg.)Part 3, chapter 17 · Quodvultdeus of Carthagequotation, high confidenceca. 445-450

Psalms 71:16

I will come in the strength of the Lord GOD; I will proclaim Your righteousness—Yours alone.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Ps 71:16 (70:16 LXX)PG 12:1517 (Ps 70–71 LXX) · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 220-254

Psalms 71:17

O God, You have taught me from my youth, and to this day I proclaim Your marvelous deeds.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Ps 71:17 (70:17 Vulg.)On the Holy Spirit 31 · Didymus the Blindquotation, high confidenceGreek ca. 360-390; Latin 387-391
Ps 71:17 (70:17 LXX)Letter 106.43 · Jeromequotation, high confidenceca. 370–419

Psalms 71:18

Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, until I proclaim Your power to the next generation, Your might to all who are to come.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Ps 71:18 (70:18 Vulg.)Against Praxeas 11 · Tertullianquotation, high confidenceca. 213 or later
Ps 71:18 (70:18 LXX)PG 12:1515 (Ps 70 LXX) · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 220-254
Ps 71:18 (70:18 LXX)PG 12:1517 (Ps 70–71 LXX) · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 220-254
Ps 71:18 (70:18 LXX)Letter 106.43 · Jeromequotation, high confidenceca. 370–419

Psalms 71:19

Your righteousness reaches to the heavens, O God, You who have done great things. Who, O God, is like You?

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Ps 71:19 (70:19 LXX)PG 12:1517 (Ps 70–71 LXX) · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 220-254
Ps 71:19 (70:19 LXX)Homilies on Ezekiel 13.2 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 238–250 (Jerome's translation in the 380s)
Ps 71:19 (70:19 LXX)On Receiving the Homoousion 4 · Marius Victorinusquotation, medium confidenceca. 357–362
Ps 71:19 (70:19 LXX)Eleven Tractates 10.133 · Priscillianquotation, high confidenceca. 380–385

Psalms 71:20

Though You have shown me many troubles and misfortunes, You will revive me once again. Even from the depths of the earth You will bring me back up.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Ps 71:20 (70:20 LXX)PG 12:1515 (Ps 70 LXX) · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 220-254
Ps 71:20 (70:20 LXX)PG 12:1517 (Ps 70–71 LXX) · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 220-254
Ps 71:20 (70:20 LXX)Eleven Tractates 10.133 · Priscillianquotation, high confidenceca. 380–385
Ps 71:20 (70:20 LXX)Commentary on the Apostles' Creed 30 · Rufinus of Aquileiaquotation, high confidenceca. 404

Psalms 71:22

So I will praise You with the harp for Your faithfulness, O my God; I will sing praise to You with the lyre, O Holy One of Israel.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Ps 71:22 (70:22 LXX)PG 12:1517 (Ps 70–71 LXX) · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 220-254
Ps 71:22 (70:22 Vulg.)On the Christian Faith 1.20 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 378–380
Ps 71:22 (70:22 LXX)Exposition of Psalm 118 7.29.1 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 386-397
Ps 71:22 (70:22 LXX)Explanation of Twelve Psalms 1.12.1 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 387-397
Ps 71:22 (70:22 LXX)Explanation of Twelve Psalms 38.39.1 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 387-397
Ps 71:22 (70:22 LXX)Explanation of Twelve Psalms 40.38.1 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 387-397
Ps 71:22 (70:22 LXX)Explanation of Twelve Psalms 40.40.1 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 387-397

Psalms 71:23

When I sing praise to You my lips will shout for joy, along with my soul, which You have redeemed.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Ps 71:23 (70:23 Vulg.)On the Christian Faith 1.20 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 378–380
Ps 71:23 (70:23 LXX)Exposition of Psalm 118 7.29.2 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 386-397
Ps 71:23 (70:23 LXX)Explanation of Twelve Psalms 1.12.1 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 387-397
Ps 71:23 (70:23 LXX)Explanation of Twelve Psalms 38.39.1 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 387-397
Ps 71:23 (70:23 LXX)Explanation of Twelve Psalms 40.40.1 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 387-397