(5) My hope.--Comp. Jeremiah 14:8; Jeremiah 1:7. Also in New Testament, 1Timothy 1:1, "The Lord Jesus Christ our hope." Shakespeare, with his fine ear for scriptural expressions, caught this.

"And God shall be my hope, my stay."

"God, our hope, shall succour us."--2 Henry VI.

Verse 5. - For thou art my Hope, O Lord God (comp. Psalm 39:7; Jeremiah 14:8; Jeremiah 17:13; Jeremiah 50:7). Thou art my Trust from my youth (comp. Psalm 40:4).

71:1-13 David prays that he might never be made ashamed of dependence upon God. With this petition every true believer may come boldly to the throne of grace. The gracious care of Divine providence in our birth and infancy, should engage us to early piety. He that was our Help from our birth, ought to be our Hope from our youth. Let none expect ease or comfort from the world. Those who love the Lord, often are hated and persecuted; men wondered at for their principles and conduct; but the Lord has been their strong refuge. The faithful servants of God may be assured that he will not cast them off in old age, nor forsake them when their strength fails.For thou art my hope, O Lord God,.... The object, ground, and foundation of it, even of present deliverance, and of future and eternal salvation;

thou art my trust from my youth; in whom he trusted in his youthful days, of which there is an eminent instance in 1 Samuel 17:33.