Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength faileth.
The verse is a prayer asking God not to cast off or forsake the speaker in the time of old age when strength fails, but to continue His presence and help. David prayed it after seeing jealousy, covetousness, fear, and loss of self-control grow worse in some people as they aged, fearing that he himself might become unhappy and bring reproach upon God's name. He had also seen aged persons become unhappy as closeness, covetousness, jealousy, fretfulness, and impatience intensified in them, and had seen some lose discernment, trust deceptive advice, and become objects of ridicule, fearing he might suffer the same fate.
The verse thus teaches the need to guard against the evils that can accompany aging. Its aim is to remain able to declare God's works and power to the coming generation. When life draws near its end, one facing death may use this same plea, as Hezekiah did after faithfully serving God, asking to remain alive and be sustained so he could proclaim God's strength to his own generation and to those to come.
The verse is a prayer asking God not to cast off or forsake the speaker in the time of old age when strength fails, but to continue His presence and help. David prayed it after seeing jealousy, covetousness, fear, and loss of self-control grow worse in some people as they aged, fearing that he himself might become unhappy and bring reproach upon God's name. He had also seen aged persons become unhappy as closeness, covetousness, jealousy, fretfulness, and impatience intensified in them, and had seen some lose discernment, trust deceptive advice, and become objects of ridicule, fearing he might suffer the same fate.
The verse thus teaches the need to guard against the evils that can accompany aging. Its aim is to remain able to declare God's works and power to the coming generation. When life draws near its end, one facing death may use this same plea, as Hezekiah did after faithfully serving God, asking to remain alive and be sustained so he could proclaim God's strength to his own generation and to those to come.