Albert Barnes Commentary Psalms 71:2

"Deliver me in thy righteousness, and rescue me: Bow down thine ear unto me, and save me." — Psalms 71:2 (ASV)

Deliver me in thy righteousness — See the notes at Psalms 31:1. The first three verses of this psalm seem in fact to have been taken, with slight variations, from the first three verses of Psalms 31:1-3.

And cause me to escape — That is, from impending dangers; from the power of my enemies.

Incline thine ear unto me — In Psalms 31:2, this is, Bow down thine ear to me. The idea is the same. See the notes at that place. Compare the notes at Psalms 17:6.

And save me — In Psalms 31:2, this is, Deliver me speedily.