Psalms 71:9

71:9 Do not reject me in my old age! ¹ 

When my strength fails, do not abandon me!

Psalms 71:18

71:18 Even when I am old and gray, ² 

O God, do not abandon me,

until I tell the next generation about your strength,

and those coming after me about your power. ³ 

Proverbs 16:31

16:31 Gray hair is like ⁴  a crown of glory; ⁵ 

it is attained ⁶  in the path of righteousness. ⁷ 

Isaiah 46:4

46:4 Even when you are old, I will take care of you, ⁸ 

even when you have gray hair, I will carry you.

I made you and I will support you;

I will carry you and rescue you. ⁹ 

[71:9]  ¹ tn Heb “do not cast me away at the time of old age.”

[71:18]  ² tn Heb “and even unto old age and gray hair.”

[71:18]  ³ tn Heb “until I declare your arm to a generation, to everyone who comes your power.” God’s “arm” here is an anthropomorphism that symbolizes his great strength.

[16:31]  ⁴ tn The comparative “like” does not appear in the Hebrew text, but is implied by the metaphor; it is supplied for the sake of clarity.

[16:31]  ⁵ sn The proverb presents the ideal, for it is not concerned with old people who may be evil. The KJV tried to qualify the interpretation by making the second half of the verse a conditional clause (“if it be found in the way of righteousness”). This is acceptable but unnecessary. The book of Proverbs is simply laying out the equity of longevity for righteousness and premature death for wicked people. In this line “gray hair” is a metonymy of adjunct/effect, representing old age; and the “glorious crown” (taking the genitive as attributive) provides a fitting metaphor to compare the hair on the head with a crown.

[16:31]  ⁶ tn Heb “it is found” (so NASB) or “it will be found.”

[16:31]  ⁷ sn While the proverb presents a general observation, there is a commendable lesson about old people who can look back on a long walk with God through life and can anticipate unbroken fellowship with him in glory.

[46:4]  ⁸ tn Heb “until old age, I am he” (NRSV similar); NLT “I will be your God throughout your lifetime.”

[46:4]  ⁹ sn Unlike the weary idol gods, whose images must be carried by animals, the Lord carries his weary people.