John Gill Commentary


John Gill Commentary
"I am as a wonder unto many; But thou art my strong refuge." — Psalms 71:7 (ASV)
I am as a wonder unto many
To the multitude, to the populace, or "to the great" F21 and mighty; and indeed to both: which respects not his wonderful preservation from the womb, he had before observed; nor his being in a wonderful manner raised to the throne of Israel; nor the wonderful things and amazing exploits done by him, and victories he obtained; nor the wonderful instances of divine grace and goodness to him;
but rather the forlorn and distressed state and condition he was now in, being obliged to quit his palace, and flee from the face of his son, accompanied only with a few of his servants; and so was a shocking sight, a spectacle, as the apostle says of himself, to others, to the world, to angels, and to men, (1 Corinthians 4:9) ; so the Messiah and his children are said to be set for signs and wonders, (Isaiah 8:18) ; and Joshua and his fellows to be men wondered at, (Zechariah 3:8) ;
as the saints are by themselves, that they should partake of such favours; and by the angels, that they should be the objects of electing, redeeming, calling, adopting, justifying, and pardoning grace; and by the world, that they should choose to suffer affliction and reproach for Christ, bear it with so much patience, and be supported, and thrive under it; see (2 Corinthians 6:8–10) ;
but you [are] my strong refuge ;
or "my refuge of strength" F23 ; his refuge and strength, as in (Psalms 46:1) ; his refuge, to which he betook himself, when refuge failed him, and no man cared for him, and which he found to be a strong one, and in it safety.