Psalms 71:14

KJV

¶ But I will hope continually, and will yet praise thee more and more.

KJV (with Strong's)

But I will hope {H3176}{H8762)} continually {H8548}, and will yet praise {H8416} thee more {H3254}{H8689)} and more {H3254}{H8689)}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But I, I will always hope and keep adding to your praise.

Berean Standard Bible

But I will always hope and will praise You more and more.

American Standard Version

But I will hope continually, And will praise thee yet more and more.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 71:14 presents a powerful declaration of unwavering faith and escalating devotion from an aging psalmist facing profound adversity. It encapsulates a resolute commitment to maintain continuous hope in God's steadfast faithfulness and to offer Him ever-increasing praise, regardless of the challenging circumstances. This verse stands as a profound testament to the enduring nature of trust in the Divine and the dynamic growth of worship in the life of a believer, even in the face of life's most formidable trials.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 71 is a deeply personal and poignant prayer of an elderly individual, likely a king or leader, who is experiencing significant distress, possibly from enemies seeking his downfall or the debilitating effects of old age. The psalm opens with an urgent plea for deliverance and protection, immediately recalling God's steadfast help and faithfulness from his youth, as seen in [Psalms 71:5-6](/psalms/71-5 "Psalms 71:5-6 - God's Help from Youth"). Throughout the preceding verses, the psalmist expresses profound vulnerability and a sense of being forsaken by men, yet he consistently anchors his trust in God as his refuge and stronghold, declaring, "Be thou my strong habitation, whereunto I may continually resort" ([Psalms 71:3](/psalms/71-3 "Psalms 71:3 - God as a Stronghold")). Verse 14, therefore, emerges as a powerful, proactive declaration of faith and commitment, contrasting sharply with any potential despair or weariness that might accompany such prolonged trials. It follows a direct appeal for God not to forsake him in old age, "Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength faileth" ([Psalms 71:9](/psalms/71-9 "Psalms 71:9 - Do Not Forsake Me in Old Age")), demonstrating a defiant stance of hope and worship despite the immediate circumstances and the perceived vulnerability of his advanced years.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** While the specific historical setting of Psalm 71 is not explicitly stated, its themes resonate deeply with the experiences of a leader, possibly David in his later years, who faced persistent opposition and relied heavily on divine intervention. In ancient Israelite society, old age was generally revered as a time of honor and wisdom, often associated with a deeper relationship with God. However, it also brought physical decline and increased vulnerability, especially for those in positions of power who might be challenged by younger rivals or external enemies who "lay wait for my soul" ([Psalms 71:10](/psalms/71-10 "Psalms 71:10 - Enemies Lie in Wait")). The psalmist's declaration of hope and praise is rooted in the cultural understanding of Yahweh as a covenant-keeping God, who remembers His promises from generation to generation. This theological conviction forms the bedrock of the psalmist's unwavering trust, allowing him to declare continuous reliance even when human strength and societal support fail. The cultural context also highlights the importance of public testimony and praise, as the psalmist intends to "declare thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come" ([Psalms 71:18](/psalms/71-18 "Psalms 71:18 - God's Power to Every Generation")), indicating that his personal resolve has communal implications.
* **Key Themes:** This psalm, and particularly verse 14, powerfully articulates several core themes. **Unwavering Trust in God's Faithfulness** is paramount, as the psalmist consistently recounts God's past deliverance as the basis for future hope, proclaiming, "O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works" ([Psalms 71:17](/psalms/71-17 "Psalms 71:17 - God's Teaching from Youth")). The theme of **Enduring Hope** is central, portraying hope not as a passive wish but as an active, persistent expectation rooted in God's immutable character, providing an anchor for the soul amidst life's storms, much like the steadfast hope described in [Hebrews 6:19](/hebrews/6-19 "Hebrews 6:19 - Hope as an Anchor for the Soul"). Furthermore, the verse highlights **Dynamic and Growing Praise**, suggesting that worship is not static but deepens and intensifies over time, reflecting a progressive spiritual maturity and a continually deepening appreciation for God's goodness and acts of salvation. This commitment to increasing praise underscores a profound **Dependence on God**, recognizing Him as the sole source of strength, deliverance, and ultimate joy, regardless of external circumstances or the perceived abandonment by others.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Hope (Hebrew, _yâchal'_):** (H3176) This word signifies more than a mere wish; it conveys a patient, confident waiting, a strong expectation, and an enduring trust. It implies a stretching forth, a longing, and a confident reliance on God's future action and provision. It is an active, settled conviction that God will fulfill His promises, often in the face of adversity or delay.
* **Continually (Hebrew, _tâmîyd'_):** (H8548) This adverb emphasizes persistence, constancy, and perpetuity. It means "always," "regularly," or "without ceasing." When applied to hope, it underscores an unwavering, unbroken reliance on God, regardless of the ebb and flow of circumstances. It suggests a habitual posture of the heart, a perpetual state of trust.
* **Praise (Hebrew, _tᵉhillâh'_):** (H8416) Derived from the root `halal` (to shine, boast, laud), this noun refers to laudation, a hymn, or an act of praise. It is a concrete expression of adoration, often involving exultation and public declaration of God's greatness. It is not a quiet contemplation but an outward, vibrant expression of worship, a song of praise.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But I will hope continually":** This clause opens with a strong adversative "But," indicating a deliberate contrast to the surrounding difficulties, the psalmist's perceived weakness, or the potential for despair. It is a resolute personal declaration ("I will") of the psalmist's unwavering commitment to maintain an active, persistent, and unbroken hope in God. This hope is not circumstantial but grounded in God's unchanging character and past faithfulness, serving as a constant anchor for his soul amidst the storms of life. It signifies a conscious choice to lean into divine promises despite present realities.
* **"and will yet praise thee more and more":** This second clause builds upon the first, expressing a dynamic and escalating commitment to worship. The phrase "yet praise" implies that despite current struggles and the passage of time, praise will not diminish but intensify. "More and more" (Hebrew: עוֹד וָעוֹד, _od va'od_) signifies an increasing quantity, intensity, and frequency of praise. It speaks to a deepening understanding of God's goodness, a growing appreciation for His acts of salvation, and a desire to give Him ever-greater glory, reflecting a progressive spiritual maturity and a continually deepening relationship with the Divine.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices that amplify its message of enduring faith. **Contrast** is evident in the opening "But," which sharply sets the psalmist's resolute hope and praise against the backdrop of his trials, the infirmities of old age, and the potential for despair. The phrase "more and more" utilizes **Repetition** (of the Hebrew word _od_) to emphasize the escalating nature of the praise, creating a sense of growth, abundance, and an ever-increasing devotion. This also functions as a form of **Hyperbole**, suggesting an boundless and ever-expanding adoration that transcends limitations. The verse is a strong **Personal Declaration**, using the emphatic first-person "I will," which conveys conviction, agency, and a deliberate, unwavering choice to maintain faith and worship. This personal resolve in the face of profound adversity makes the declaration particularly impactful and serves as an inspiring model for the reader, demonstrating active spiritual resilience.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 71:14 stands as a profound theological statement on the nature of enduring faith and dynamic worship. It teaches that true hope is not a fleeting emotion dependent on favorable circumstances, but a steadfast trust rooted in the unchanging character and promises of God, even amidst the infirmities of age or the assaults of enemies. This continuous hope fuels a growing, intensifying praise, demonstrating that worship is not merely a response to blessings but a deliberate act of devotion that deepens through trials. The verse underscores the sovereignty of God as the ultimate source of strength and deliverance, inviting believers to cultivate a life marked by persistent reliance and escalating adoration, recognizing that God's faithfulness warrants an ever-increasing response of gratitude and glory. It highlights that spiritual maturity often manifests as an increasing capacity for both hope and praise, even as external circumstances may worsen.

* [Hebrews 6:19](/hebrews/6-19 "Hebrews 6:19 - Hope as an Anchor for the Soul")
* [Romans 5:3-5](/romans/5-3-5 "Romans 5:3-5 - Suffering Produces Perseverance, Character, and Hope")
* [1 Thessalonians 5:18](/1_thessalonians/5-18 "1 Thessalonians 5:18 - Give Thanks in All Circumstances")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 71:14 offers a timeless blueprint for navigating the complexities of life with spiritual resilience. In a world often characterized by uncertainty, personal struggles, and the inevitable challenges of aging, this verse calls believers to cultivate a spirit of persistent hope and escalating praise. It encourages us to anchor our souls not in the shifting sands of earthly circumstances, but in the immutable character of God, who remains faithful through all seasons. This means actively choosing to believe in God's goodness and sovereign control even when logic dictates otherwise, and intentionally seeking reasons to magnify His name, transforming our perspective from one of complaint to one of profound gratitude. The commitment to praise "more and more" challenges us to move beyond perfunctory worship, inviting us into a deeper, more vibrant relationship with our Creator, where our appreciation for Him grows daily, regardless of our trials. This posture of continuous hope and increasing praise not only sustains us through adversity but also serves as a powerful testimony to the world about the unwavering faithfulness and worthiness of our God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you find it most challenging to "hope continually," especially when God's timing seems slow or His presence distant?**
* **How has your praise for God grown or deepened over time, particularly through seasons of difficulty? What might it look like to "praise Him more and more" in your daily life?**
* **How does the psalmist's declaration, made in the context of old age and adversity, speak to your own current season of life, whether you are facing physical decline, relational struggles, or professional challenges?**
* **What practical disciplines or spiritual practices can help you maintain a posture of continuous hope and increasing praise, even when circumstances are overwhelmingly difficult?**

### FAQ
**How can one "hope continually" when circumstances are dire and God's intervention seems delayed?**

Answer: To "hope continually" is not to deny the reality of dire circumstances or the pain of delay, but to actively choose to fix one's gaze on God's unchanging character and His proven faithfulness throughout history. It's a theological conviction that God is good, sovereign, and faithful to His promises, even when His timing or methods are beyond our understanding. This continuous hope is cultivated through remembering past deliverances, as the psalmist recalls God's help "from my youth" ([Psalms 71:5-6](/psalms/71-5-6 "Psalms 71:5-6 - God's Help from Youth")), meditating on His Word, and engaging in fervent prayer. It's a spiritual discipline that acknowledges human weakness but leans fully on divine strength, understanding that God's power is made perfect in weakness, as articulated in [2 Corinthians 12:9](/2_corinthians/12-9 "2 Corinthians 12:9 - God's Power in Weakness"). It means holding onto the truth that God is working, even when we cannot see it, and that His ultimate purposes are always for our good and His glory. This hope is not a passive waiting but an active trust that persists despite the absence of immediate visible evidence.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 71:14 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The psalmist's declaration of continuous hope and ever-increasing praise points forward to the perfect hope embodied by Christ, who, "for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God" ([Hebrews 12:2](/hebrews/12-2 "Hebrews 12:2 - Jesus, the Author and Finisher of Our Faith")). Jesus Himself lived a life of perfect dependence on the Father, continually entrusting Himself to God's will even unto death, praying, "Nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done" ([Luke 22:42](/luke/22-42 "Luke 22:42 - Jesus' Prayer in Gethsemane")). His resurrection is the definitive ground of our hope, transforming it from a mere expectation into a certainty, for "Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep" ([1 Corinthians 15:20](/1_corinthians/15-20 "1 Corinthians 15:20 - Christ's Resurrection, Firstfruits")). Because of Christ's finished work, believers can truly hope continually, knowing that their future is secure in Him, and that He is "the hope of glory" ([Colossians 1:27](/colossians/1-27 "Colossians 1:27 - Christ in You, the Hope of Glory")). Furthermore, the "praise thee more and more" finds its fullest expression in the worship of the Lamb of God, whose sacrifice redeems humanity and elicits eternal adoration. Our praise grows as we increasingly comprehend the immeasurable depths of His love and grace, joining the heavenly chorus that cries, "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!" ([Revelation 5:12](/revelation/5-12 "Revelation 5:12 - Worthy is the Lamb")). In Christ, our hope is perfected, and our praise finds its eternal and ever-expanding object.

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

Psalms 130:7

Let Israel hope in the LORD: for with the LORD [there is] mercy, and with him [is] plenteous redemption.

Lamentations 3:26

[It is] good that [a man] should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.

Psalms 71:6

By thee have I been holden up from the womb: thou art he that took me out of my mother's bowels: my praise [shall be] continually of thee.

1 John 3:3

And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

Psalms 43:5

Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, [who is] the health of my countenance, and my God.

Hebrews 10:35

Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.

1 Peter 1:13

¶ Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;