Psalms 115:14

KJV

The LORD shall increase you more and more, you and your children.

KJV (with Strong's)

The LORD {H3068} shall increase {H3254} you more and more, you and your children {H1121}.

Complete Jewish Bible

May ADONAI increase your numbers, both yours and those of your children.

Berean Standard Bible

May the LORD give you increase, both you and your children.

American Standard Version

Jehovah increase you more and more, You and your children.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 115:14 is a profound declaration of Yahweh's active and continuous blessing upon His people and their descendants. It promises an ever-increasing, compounding favor that extends beyond the immediate generation, encompassing both quantitative growth and qualitative flourishing. This verse serves as a powerful assurance of divine faithfulness, contrasting the living God's boundless capacity to prosper with the impotence of human-made idols, thereby reinforcing the call to trust in the Lord for all provision and perpetuation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 115 is an integral part of the Egyptian Hallel (Psalms 113-118), a collection of psalms traditionally recited during significant Jewish festivals, most notably Passover. These psalms commemorate God's deliverance of Israel from Egypt and anticipate future redemption. The immediate literary flow of Psalm 115 begins with a fervent plea for God's glory to be magnified among the nations, who question, "[Where is their God?](/psalms/115-2 "Psalms 115:2 - Where is their God?")" The psalmist then starkly contrasts the living, sovereign God of Israel, who "[hath done whatsoever he hath pleased](/psalms/115-3 "Psalms 115:3 - Our God is in the Heavens")", with the lifeless, impotent idols of the nations, which "[have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not](/psalms/115-5 "Psalms 115:5 - The Impotence of Idols")". Following this powerful theological distinction, the psalm pivots to an exhortation for Israel, the house of Aaron, and those who fear the Lord to "[Trust in the LORD](/psalms/115-9 "Psalms 115:9-11 - Trust in the Lord")". This call to trust is immediately followed by the declaration that "[The LORD hath been mindful of us: he will bless us](/psalms/115-12 "Psalms 115:12 - The Lord Has Been Mindful")", setting the stage for the specific promise of increase in verse 14, which targets "you and your children" and those who "[fear the LORD, both small and great](/psalms/115-13 "Psalms 115:13 - Those Who Fear the Lord")".

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, and particularly within Israelite culture, blessing was often understood in tangible terms, including numerical increase (of people, livestock), fertility of the land, and prosperity. The concept of "children" or "seed" was paramount, representing not only the continuation of the family line but also the perpetuation of the covenant community and the legacy of God's promises. A large family was seen as a sign of divine favor and a source of strength and security, while barrenness was often perceived as a curse. The promise of increase in Psalms 115:14 resonates deeply with the foundational covenant promises given to Abraham, where God pledged to multiply his descendants "[as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore](/genesis/22-17 "Genesis 22:17 - Abrahamic Covenant of Multiplication")". This cultural backdrop highlights that the "increase" promised by the Lord was not merely a spiritual concept but encompassed the holistic flourishing of the people of God in every sphere of life, ensuring their vitality and continuity across generations in a world where lineage and posterity were crucial.

* **Key Themes:**
* **Divine Increase and Multiplication:** The central theme of Psalms 115:14 is God's active commitment to bless His people with growth and abundance. This "increase" (Hebrew: *yāsaph*) signifies not just numerical expansion but also qualitative enrichment, encompassing spiritual fruitfulness, material prosperity, influence, and the overall flourishing of life. It underscores God's character as a generous and active provider, who delights in prospering those who belong to Him. This theme stands in stark contrast to the barrenness and impotence associated with idol worship, emphasizing that true life and growth come only from the living God, as highlighted in the psalm's earlier condemnation of "[dumb idols](/psalms/115-5 "Psalms 115:5 - The Impotence of Idols")".
* **Generational Blessing and Covenant Faithfulness:** A profound aspect of this promise is its explicit extension to "you and your children." This highlights the enduring nature of God's covenant faithfulness, where blessings are not confined to a single generation but are intended to flow through families and lineages. It speaks to the hope of legacy, the perpetuation of faith, and the continuation of God's redemptive plan through successive generations. This echoes the Abrahamic covenant, where God promised to bless Abraham and his "[seed](/genesis/12-2 "Genesis 12:2 - The Abrahamic Blessing")", establishing a pattern of generational blessing that is foundational to Israel's identity and hope.
* **God's Active Provision and Sovereignty:** The verse powerfully underscores the unwavering nature of God's promises and His active involvement in the lives of His people. Unlike the "[dumb idols](/psalms/115-5 "Psalms 115:5 - The Impotence of Idols")" that cannot see, hear, or help, the true God (Yahweh) is an omnipotent and ever-present provider who continually works for the good of His people. This aligns with the broader biblical truth that God is the source of all blessing and will "[supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus](/philippians/4-19 "Philippians 4:19 - God's Abundant Provision")". The promise of increase is a direct outflow of God's sovereign care and His commitment to those who trust in Him.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** This is the sacred, covenantal name of God, derived from the root meaning "to be" or "to exist." As the "self-Existent or Eternal" One, Yahweh signifies God's absolute sovereignty, unchanging nature, and His active presence in the lives of His people. The use of this specific name emphasizes that the increase promised in this verse originates from the one true, living God who is eternally faithful to His covenant, distinguishing Him from the powerless idols mentioned earlier in the psalm.
* **increase (Hebrew, _yâçaph'_):** A primitive root meaning "to add or augment," often used adverbially to signify continuing to do a thing. In the Hiphil stem, as used here, it means "to cause to increase" or "to make more." The repetition of the verb, "increase you more and more" (יֹסֵף עֲלֵיכֶם, _yōsef ‘alêkem_ – literally, "He will add upon you"), creates an intensified meaning. It emphasizes a continuous, compounding, and ever-growing nature of the divine blessing. This is not a static or diminishing blessing, but one that progressively expands and accumulates, suggesting an overflowing abundance that is perpetually renewed and enlarged by God Himself.
* **children (Hebrew, _bên'_):** This word primarily means "son," but in its widest sense, it refers to a child or descendant, often functioning as a "builder of the family name." It encompasses not only immediate offspring but also subsequent generations, symbolizing the perpetuation of a lineage, a community, or a legacy. In the context of Psalms 115:14, its inclusion underscores the generational scope of God's blessing, indicating that His favor is intended to flow through families and the covenant community, ensuring their continuity and flourishing across time.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The LORD shall increase you more and more,"**: This opening clause establishes Yahweh (the covenant God of Israel) as the sole and active agent of the promised blessing. The future tense "shall increase" indicates a divine promise and a certain outcome, highlighting God's initiative and power. The intensifying phrase "more and more" (derived from the repeated form of _yâçaph_) underscores the boundless and continuous nature of this increase. It implies not just a one-time addition, but a progressive, compounding growth that is qualitative as well as quantitative, touching every aspect of life. This increase flows directly from God's character as a generous and faithful provider, the living God who acts decisively on behalf of His people.
* **"you and your children."**: This phrase specifies the recipients and the scope of God's promised increase. "You" refers to the immediate generation of believers, those who trust in the Lord and fear Him, as mentioned in the preceding verses of Psalm 115. Crucially, the blessing extends to "your children," signifying a generational blessing. This highlights God's covenant faithfulness, demonstrating that His favor is not limited to a single lifetime but is intended to flow through families and lineages, ensuring the perpetuation of His people and His purposes across successive generations. It speaks to the legacy of faith and the enduring nature of God's promises, providing hope for the future of the covenant community.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several impactful literary devices. **Repetition** is evident in the intensified phrase "more and more," which is a direct translation of the Hebrew idiom *yāsaph ‘al yāsaph* (literally, "add upon add"). This **Intensification** emphasizes the continuous, compounding, and abundant nature of the divine blessing, assuring the recipients that God's favor is not finite but ever-expanding. The structure of the verse also functions as a **Divine Declaration** or **Promise**, beginning with "The LORD shall increase," which conveys certainty and divine authority, stemming from the sovereign character of Yahweh. Furthermore, the explicit mention of "you and your children" serves as a form of **Generational Scope**, highlighting the enduring and covenantal nature of God's blessing, extending beyond the immediate recipients to their descendants. This underscores the theme of legacy and the perpetuation of God's people through time.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 115:14 resonates deeply with the biblical narrative of God's character as a generous, covenant-keeping God who delights in blessing His people. This promise of "increase" is not merely about material prosperity, though it does not exclude it; rather, it encompasses a holistic flourishing that includes numerical growth of the community, spiritual vitality, fruitfulness in purpose, and the perpetuation of faith through generations. It underscores that true abundance comes from Yahweh alone, contrasting sharply with the futility of relying on lifeless idols. This divine increase is rooted in God's faithfulness to His covenant promises, especially those made to Abraham concerning his innumerable descendants, and it serves as a powerful encouragement for believers to trust in His ongoing provision and care. It reminds us that our God is a God of more than enough, whose blessings are designed to multiply and extend beyond our immediate grasp, ensuring the continuity of His people and His purposes on earth.

* [Genesis 1:28](/genesis/1-28 "Genesis 1:28 - The First Command and Blessing")
* [Deuteronomy 28:1-14](/deuteronomy/28-1 "Deuteronomy 28:1-14 - Blessings for Obedience")
* [Proverbs 10:22](/proverbs/10-22 "Proverbs 10:22 - The Blessing of the Lord")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 115:14 offers a profound wellspring of encouragement and hope for believers today. It calls us to embrace a mindset of abundance, recognizing that our God is a God of increase, not scarcity. This promise encourages us to trust in His ongoing provision for every area of our lives – not only material needs but, more importantly, spiritual growth, the multiplication of faith within us, the expansion of God's kingdom through our efforts, and the blessing of our families. It challenges us to live with an expectation of God's active and ever-increasing favor, inspiring us to be faithful stewards of the blessings we receive, knowing that they are intended to flow through us to impact others, especially our children and future generations. This verse invites us to pray for and actively pursue spiritual and relational fruitfulness, confident that God desires to prosper us in ways that bring Him glory and advance His purposes in the world.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific areas of your life (spiritual, relational, vocational) are you seeking God's "increase" today?**
* **How does the promise of generational blessing in this verse influence your prayers and actions for your family and future generations?**
* **How does this verse challenge any scarcity mindsets or fears of inadequacy you might hold, especially when contrasted with the impotence of idols?**
* **What practical steps can you take to live in greater expectation and stewardship of God's ongoing increase in your life, recognizing His faithfulness?**

### FAQ
**Does "increase" in Psalms 115:14 primarily refer to material wealth?**

Answer: While the ancient Near Eastern context often associated blessing with tangible prosperity, including material wealth, livestock, and abundant harvests, the "increase" in Psalms 115:14 should be understood holistically. The Hebrew word *yâçaph* (increase) and its intensified repetition suggest a comprehensive, compounding growth that extends beyond mere material possessions. It encompasses spiritual fruitfulness, numerical growth of the community of faith, increase in wisdom and understanding, expansion of influence for God's kingdom, and the overall flourishing of life in every dimension. The psalm's broader context, contrasting the living God with lifeless idols, emphasizes that true life and blessing come from a relationship with Yahweh, not from accumulated wealth for its own sake. Therefore, while material provision may be a component, the primary focus is on the multi-faceted and continuous blessing that God bestows upon those who trust and fear Him, ensuring their vitality and the perpetuation of their legacy, echoing the comprehensive blessings promised in [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 115:14 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The promise of "increase" is not merely for a physical lineage but is gloriously expanded in the New Covenant to encompass the spiritual family of God, the Church, through faith in Christ. Jesus Himself is the ultimate "seed" through whom all the families of the earth are blessed, fulfilling the Abrahamic promise of multiplication in a spiritual sense, as highlighted in [Galatians 3:16](/galatians/3-16 "Galatians 3:16 - The Seed of Abraham"). Through His death and resurrection, Christ secured for believers an "increase" of spiritual blessings "[in heavenly places](/ephesians/1-3 "Ephesians 1:3 - Spiritual Blessings in Christ")" – an abundance of grace, peace, and righteousness, far surpassing any earthly gain. The multiplication of the early church, as recorded in Acts, where "the number of the disciples was multiplied greatly" ([Acts 6:7](/acts/6-7 "Acts 6:7 - The Word of God Increased") and [Acts 9:31](/acts/9-31 "Acts 9:31 - The Church Multiplied")), vividly demonstrates the ongoing increase of God's people through the power of the Holy Spirit. Furthermore, believers are called to bear spiritual "[much fruit](/john/15-5 "John 15:5 - Abiding in Christ and Bearing Fruit")" through abiding in Christ, signifying an increase in character, good works, and evangelistic impact, which in turn leads to the multiplication of disciples. Thus, the promise of God increasing "you and your children" is fulfilled in Christ through the spiritual increase of His body, the Church, and the generational legacy of faith passed down through the Holy Spirit from one generation of believers to the next, until the full number of the elect is gathered into His eternal kingdom, culminating in the glorious multitude that no one can number from every nation, kindred, people, and tongue, as seen in [Revelation 7:9](/revelation/7-9 "Revelation 7:9 - The Multitude from Every Nation").

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Deuteronomy 1:11

(The LORD God of your fathers make you a thousand times so many more as ye [are], and bless you, as he hath promised you!)

Acts 2:39

For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, [even] as many as the Lord our God shall call.

Genesis 17:7

¶ And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.

Acts 3:25

Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed.

Jeremiah 33:22

As the host of heaven cannot be numbered, neither the sand of the sea measured: so will I multiply the seed of David my servant, and the Levites that minister unto me.

2 Samuel 24:3

And Joab said unto the king, Now the LORD thy God add unto the people, how many soever they be, an hundredfold, and that the eyes of my lord the king may see [it]: but why doth my lord the king delight in this thing?

Genesis 13:16

And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, [then] shall thy seed also be numbered.