Psalms 71:17

KJV

O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works.

KJV (with Strong's)

O God {H430}, thou hast taught {H3925}{H8765)} me from my youth {H5271}: and hitherto have I declared {H5046}{H8686)} thy wondrous works {H6381}{H8737)}.

Complete Jewish Bible

God, you have taught me since I was young, and I still proclaim your wonderful works.

Berean Standard Bible

O God, You have taught me from my youth, and to this day I proclaim Your marvelous deeds.

American Standard Version

O God, thou hast taught me from my youth; And hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 71:17 presents the profound testimony of an aged psalmist, reflecting on a lifetime marked by God's consistent divine instruction and an unwavering commitment to proclaim His magnificent and miraculous deeds. This verse serves as a foundational declaration within a larger prayer for deliverance, affirming God's steadfast faithfulness from the psalmist's earliest days and expressing a resolute determination to continue testifying to His wondrous works. It encapsulates a deeply personal and continuous relationship with the Almighty, characterized by both the reception of divine wisdom and the active, public sharing of that wisdom with the world.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 71 is a poignant prayer of an elderly individual, likely a king or a prominent figure, facing significant distress, feelings of abandonment, and opposition from enemies who mock his trust in God. The psalmist appeals to God for continued deliverance and protection, grounding his plea in God's past faithfulness and a lifelong covenant relationship. Verse 17 is a pivotal statement within this appeal, serving as a powerful retrospective declaration. It looks back with profound gratitude, using a lifetime of God's instruction and miraculous interventions as the very basis for present and future trust. This personal history of divine involvement, stretching "from my youth" to "hitherto," undergirds the psalmist's confidence that God will not abandon him in his old age, as expressed in his earnest plea, "[Do not cast me off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength faileth](/psalms/71-9 "Psalm 71:9 - A Prayer in Old Age")." The psalmist's commitment to declare God's works also sets the stage for his subsequent vows to praise God continually and teach others about His righteousness, as seen in his resolve to "[My mouth shall shew forth thy righteousness and thy salvation all the day](/psalms/71-15-16 "Psalm 71:15-16 - My Mouth Shall Tell of Your Righteousness")."
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, old age was generally viewed as a blessing and a sign of God's favor, often associated with wisdom and honor, exemplified by the proverb, "[The hoary head is a crown of glory](/proverbs/16-31 "Proverbs 16:31 - Gray Hair is a Crown of Glory"), if it be found in the way of righteousness." Elders were deeply respected as sources of counsel and tradition, bearing the crucial responsibility of passing on the knowledge of God's mighty acts to younger generations, as commanded in [Deuteronomy 6:7](/deuteronomy/6-7 "Deuteronomy 6:7 - Teach Your Children Diligently"): "And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children." The concept of "teaching from youth" implies a communal and familial context where children were instructed in the Torah and the history of God's redemptive acts from an early age. The public "declaration of wondrous works" was a common form of worship and testimony, often performed in the temple or during festivals, serving to remind the community of God's power and faithfulness. This public proclamation was not merely personal but served a pedagogical and evangelistic purpose, reinforcing the covenant relationship between God and His people. The psalmist's emphasis on a lifelong journey with God underscores the deeply personal yet publicly accountable nature of faith in this cultural setting.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully articulates several core themes central to the book of Psalms and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it highlights **Lifelong Divine Instruction**, emphasizing that God's guidance and wisdom are not sporadic but a continuous, foundational presence throughout the psalmist's entire life. This speaks to the consistent nature of God's relationship with His people, shaping their understanding and path from an early age, as also seen in the wisdom literature's counsel to "[Train up a child in the way he should go](/proverbs/22-6 "Proverbs 22:6 - Train Up a Child")." Secondly, the verse underscores **Faithful Testimony**, revealing the psalmist's active response to God's teaching. The commitment to "declare thy wondrous works" is a powerful testament to a life lived in service and worship, proclaiming God's amazing deeds, miracles, and interventions. This declaration is not just a past activity but an ongoing one, a public witness to God's character and power, echoing the psalmist's resolve in [Psalms 9:1](/psalms/9-1 "Psalm 9:1 - I Will Give Thanks to the Lord"): "I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works." Thirdly, the verse is steeped in a spirit of **Gratitude and Remembrance**, acknowledging God's consistent presence and powerful acts. It underscores the vital importance of remembering and recounting God's faithfulness, which serves to strengthen faith in present challenges and future uncertainties, a theme also prominent in [Psalms 77:11](/psalms/77-11 "Psalm 77:11 - I Will Remember the Deeds of the Lord"): "I will remember the works of the Lord: surely I will remember thy wonders of old."

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Taught (Hebrew, _lâmad'_):** The Hebrew verb לָמַד (_lâmad_) signifies more than mere intellectual instruction. It encompasses a deep, formative process of learning through experience, discipline, and training, akin to "goading" one into a path. It implies a pedagogical relationship where God is the active, consistent teacher, and the psalmist is the lifelong student. This teaching involves not just conveying information but shaping character, imparting wisdom, and guiding one's path through life's trials and triumphs, making one "skilful" and "expert" in God's ways.
* **Declared (Hebrew, _nâgad'_):** The verb נָגַד (_nâgad_) means "to tell, to make known, to report, to announce," implying a public and active proclamation. It literally means "to front," or "stand boldly out opposite," thus to manifest or announce by word of mouth to one present. The psalmist is not merely reflecting inwardly but is actively sharing God's deeds with others. This is a deliberate, vocal act of testimony, fulfilling a duty to bear witness to God's character and actions, to "show forth" His truth.
* **Wondrous works (Hebrew, _pâlâʼ'_):** The underlying root (H6381) for "wondrous works" (נִפְלָאוֹת, _niphla'ot_) is פָּלָא (_pâlâʼ_), which means "to be great, difficult, wonderful," or "to separate, distinguish." It refers to extraordinary, amazing, or miraculous deeds that evoke awe and demonstrate God's unique power, majesty, and intervention in the world. These are acts that transcend human capability and often relate to God's redemptive history, such as the Exodus or other acts of salvation and creation. They are deeds that are "too wonderful" or "too high" for human comprehension, revealing God's transcendence and immanence through His "marvelous works."

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"O God, thou hast taught me from my youth":** This opening clause establishes a profound, personal, and enduring relationship between the psalmist and God. The psalmist acknowledges God as his lifelong instructor, implying a continuous process of divine guidance, wisdom, and spiritual formation that began in his earliest, most impressionable years. This speaks to God's proactive, faithful involvement in the psalmist's life, shaping his understanding, character, and spiritual journey from its very inception. It is a testament to God's faithfulness as a divine mentor and the psalmist's receptiveness as a lifelong student.
* **"and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works.":** This second clause reveals the psalmist's faithful and active response to God's lifelong teaching. "Hitherto" (Hebrew: עד־הנה, _'ad-hennah_) emphasizes that this declaration has been continuous and extends up to the present moment of the psalmist's old age. It signifies a commitment to actively proclaim, bear witness to, and make known God's extraordinary, awe-inspiring, and miraculous deeds. This declaration is not merely a private reflection but a public testimony, fulfilling a duty to share God's power and faithfulness with others, a direct and faithful outcome of having been taught by God.

#### Literary Devices
The verse primarily employs **Testimony**, as the psalmist offers a deeply personal and retrospective account of God's faithfulness throughout his life. This testimony is structured with a clear **Cause and Effect** relationship: because God has "taught" him, the psalmist has "declared" God's works. There is also an implicit **Parallelism** between God's action ("taught me") and the psalmist's reciprocal response ("declared thy wondrous works"), suggesting a harmonious and obedient relationship between divine grace and human faithfulness. The phrases "from my youth" and "hitherto" create a powerful sense of **Continuity** and **Lifelong Devotion**, emphasizing the unbroken span of God's presence and the psalmist's unwavering faithfulness across his entire life. This continuous timeframe also serves as a form of **Emphasis**, underscoring the completeness and totality of God's instruction and the psalmist's proclamation. The "wondrous works" function as a **Metonymy** for God's power, character, and redemptive activity, as these deeds are the tangible manifestations of who God is and what He does.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse powerfully articulates the covenantal relationship between God and humanity, where divine initiative (God teaching) elicits a human response (declaring His works). It underscores God's role as the ultimate educator, patiently guiding His people throughout their lives, not just through formal instruction but through lived experience and providential care. The psalmist’s declaration of God’s "wondrous works" is a profound theological act, acknowledging God’s sovereignty, power, and redemptive activity in history and in personal life. It highlights the importance of remembering and rehearsing God's past faithfulness as a foundation for present trust and future hope, especially in times of distress. This lifelong pattern of receiving and proclaiming forms the essence of a vibrant faith, demonstrating that true discipleship involves both internal transformation and external witness, a cycle of grace received and grace extended.

* [Deuteronomy 4:9](/deuteronomy/4-9 "Deuteronomy 4:9 - Teach Your Children and Grandchildren")
* [Psalms 145:4](/psalms/145-4 "Psalm 145:4 - One Generation Shall Commend Your Works to Another")
* [Isaiah 43:21](/isaiah/43-21 "Isaiah 43:21 - The People I Formed for Myself that They May Proclaim My Praise")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 71:17 provides a timeless blueprint for a life lived in faithful response to God's grace. It challenges believers to embrace a posture of lifelong learning, recognizing that God's instruction is not confined to childhood or formal education, but is a continuous process that shapes us through every season, trial, and triumph. Just as the psalmist was taught from youth, we are called to remain humble students of God's Word and His ways, allowing His truth to guide our understanding and actions daily. Furthermore, this verse serves as a powerful reminder of our sacred responsibility to bear witness to God's "wondrous works." Our personal testimonies—the stories of God's intervention, provision, and transformation in our lives—are not meant to be kept private. They are powerful tools for evangelism, encouragement, and edification, demonstrating God's living presence in a world that desperately needs to see His hand at work. By intentionally remembering and recounting God's faithfulness, we not only strengthen our own faith but also inspire others to trust in the God who teaches, delivers, and performs wonders.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific ways has God "taught" you from your youth or throughout your life, and how have those lessons shaped who you are today?**
* **What are some of God's "wondrous works" you have personally experienced or witnessed, and how can you more intentionally "declare" them to others in your sphere of influence?**
* **How does remembering God's past faithfulness strengthen your trust in Him for present challenges and future uncertainties, particularly when facing trials?**
* **What role do you play, or what role could you play, in passing on the knowledge of God's works and His truth to younger generations or those new in faith?**

### FAQ
**What does "hitherto" mean in the context of Psalms 71:17?**

Answer: In Psalms 71:17, "hitherto" (Hebrew: עד־הנה, _'ad-hennah_) means "up to this point" or "until now." It emphasizes the continuous nature of the psalmist's declaration of God's wondrous works, stretching from his youth all the way to his current old age. It signifies that the commitment to proclaim God's deeds has been unbroken throughout his entire life, underscoring the psalmist's consistent faithfulness in response to God's consistent teaching. This lifelong commitment forms a powerful testimony to God's enduring presence and power, as the psalmist has seen God's faithfulness manifest across decades, much like the prophet Samuel's declaration at Ebenezer, "[Hitherto hath the Lord helped us](/1_samuel/7-12 "1 Samuel 7:12 - Ebenezer: Thus Far the Lord Has Helped Us")."

**Why is the psalmist emphasizing his youth in this verse?**

Answer: The psalmist emphasizes being "taught from my youth" to highlight the comprehensive and foundational nature of God's instruction. It signifies that God's guidance was not a late-life conversion or a sporadic intervention, but a consistent, formative presence from his earliest, most impressionable years. This deep, lifelong relationship with God provides the bedrock for his present plea for help and his unwavering commitment to declare God's works. It underscores the idea that a life steeped in divine teaching from its very beginning naturally leads to a life of faithful witness and proclamation, reinforcing the wisdom of early spiritual formation as seen in [Proverbs 22:6](/proverbs/22-6 "Proverbs 22:6 - Train Up a Child in the Way He Should Go"): "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 71:17 finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in Jesus Christ. He is the preeminent "teacher" (Rabbi) sent from God, whose very life and words embody the divine instruction the psalmist received. Just as God taught the psalmist, Jesus, as the incarnate Word, fully reveals the Father, teaching with unparalleled authority and wisdom, as the crowds observed, "[He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes](/matthew/7-29 "Matthew 7:29 - Jesus Taught as One Having Authority")." Moreover, the "wondrous works" the psalmist declared pale in comparison to the miracles, healings, and ultimately, the resurrection performed by Jesus. These are the supreme "wondrous works" that demonstrate God's power, love, and redemptive purpose for humanity, beginning with His first sign, "[This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory](/john/2-11 "John 2:11 - Jesus' First Sign at Cana")." The psalmist's lifelong declaration foreshadows the New Testament call for believers to proclaim the good news of Christ. We are now commissioned to declare not just God's general wondrous works, but specifically the saving work of Jesus Christ—His death, burial, and resurrection—which is the greatest wonder of all, as Paul reminds us, "[Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures](/1_corinthians/15-3-4 "1 Corinthians 15:3-4 - The Gospel Message")." Our "hitherto" is a continuous testimony to the finished work of Christ and His ongoing presence through the Holy Spirit, empowering us to be His witnesses "[unto the uttermost part of the earth](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - You Will Be My Witnesses")." Thus, the psalmist's experience becomes a profound type of the Christian's call to be taught by Christ and to declare His glorious deeds throughout their lives.

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 71:5

For thou [art] my hope, O Lord GOD: [thou art] my trust from my youth.

Psalms 119:9

¶ BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed [thereto] according to thy word.

Psalms 119:102

¶ I have not departed from thy judgments: for thou hast taught me.

1 Samuel 17:36

Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God.

1 Samuel 17:37

David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee.

2 Samuel 4:9

¶ And David answered Rechab and Baanah his brother, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, and said unto them, [As] the LORD liveth, who hath redeemed my soul out of all adversity,

Psalms 66:16

Come [and] hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul.