What does "a portent to many" mean in the context of Psalm 71:7? Setting and Flow of Psalm 71 • Psalm 71 presents an elderly believer recalling a lifetime of God’s rescuing grace. • He is surrounded by enemies (vv. 4, 10–11) yet repeatedly declares, “You are my refuge” (vv. 1, 7). • Verse 7 sits at the center of this testimony: “I have become a portent to many, but You are my strong refuge.” The Hebrew Word Behind “Portent” • Hebrew מוֹפֵת (môphet) = sign, miracle, wonder, public display. • Elsewhere it refers to God’s mighty acts (Exodus 7:3; Deuteronomy 4:34). • In Psalm 71 it describes the psalmist himself—his life has turned into a living “sign.” How the Psalmist Became a “Portent to Many” 1. A Spectacle of Affliction – Years of attacks, betrayals, and frailty made him look doomed (vv. 9–11). – Observers viewed him as a warning of what happens to the righteous (cf. Job 2:12–13). 2. A Showcase of Deliverance – God kept intervening (vv. 20–21). – His improbable survival became a public “wonder,” proving God’s faithfulness (Isaiah 8:18). 3. A Signal Pointing to God – The contrast—“but You are my strong refuge”—shifts attention from the psalmist to the Lord. – His life functions like a directional sign, urging onlookers to seek the same refuge (Psalm 34:8). Old and New Testament Parallels • Psalm 41: “My enemies say of me in malice…” yet God upholds him (vv. 5–12). • Zechariah 3:8: Joshua the high priest is called “a sign” foreshadowing cleansing through the Branch. • Luke 2:34: Jesus is “a sign that will be spoken against,” revealing hearts. • 2 Corinthians 4:7–10: Believers carry “treasure in jars of clay,” displaying that “the surpassing power is from God and not from us.” Take-Home Insights • God may allow prolonged trials so that His sustaining power becomes unmistakable. • Being a “portent” is less about personal honor and more about magnifying God’s refuge. • When our weakness meets His strength, our lives speak louder than words to those watching. |
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