Psalms 71 and 83

Some various points about two of the psalms in today's reading:

• 71:6, "From birth I have relied on you; you brought me forth from my mother's womb" points out the value of the life of the pre-born.
• 71:7, "I have become like a portent to many." I had to look up "portent." It is "an indication or omen of something about to happen, especially something momentous." The word seems to carry a negative connotation. This line seems to point to David's troubles being a sign of weakness to his enemies. Verse 11 says, "They say, 'God has forsaken him; pursue him and seize him, for no one will rescue him.'" However, verse 7 finishes with David trusting in God: "but you are my strong refuge."
• Verse 15 shows faith in God's righteousness and salvation, and verse 20 shows faith in life with God after death.
• Psalm 83:13--I have nothing really deep to share. It just struck me how Asaph refers to tumbleweed. I guess I didn't know there was tumbleweed in the Middle East, did you?