Psalms 71:19

KJV

Thy righteousness also, O God, [is] very high, who hast done great things: O God, who [is] like unto thee!

KJV (with Strong's)

Thy righteousness {H6666} also, O God {H430}, is very high {H4791}, who hast done {H6213}{H8804)} great things {H1419}: O God {H430}, who is like unto thee!

Complete Jewish Bible

your righteousness too, God, which reaches to the heights. God, you have done great things; who is there like you?

Berean Standard Bible

Your righteousness reaches to the heavens, O God, You who have done great things. Who, O God, is like You?

American Standard Version

Thy righteousness also, O God, is very high; Thou who hast done great things, O God, who is like unto thee?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 71:19 is a profound declaration by an aged psalmist, affirming God's transcendent righteousness, His mighty and awe-inspiring deeds throughout history, and His absolute incomparability. It serves as a foundational statement of God's character, upon which the psalmist's lifelong trust and hope for deliverance are firmly built, even amidst the vulnerabilities and challenges of old age.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 71 is a poignant prayer of an elderly individual, likely a king or leader, facing significant adversaries and the natural weakening that comes with age. The psalm opens with a plea for refuge and deliverance, immediately establishing a lifelong relationship of trust in God from youth ([Psalms 71:5-6](/psalms/71-5 "Psalms 71:5-6 - God My Trust from Youth")). Prior to verse 19, the psalmist recounts God's past faithfulness and miraculous interventions, using these as a basis for current pleas for vindication and rescue from those who seek his harm ([Psalms 71:9-13](/psalms/71-9 "Psalms 71:9-13 - Plea for Deliverance")). Verse 19, therefore, functions as a climactic theological anchor, a declaration of God's immutable character that undergirds all past deliverances and future hopes, leading into further vows of praise and testimony ([Psalms 71:22-24](/psalms/71-22 "Psalms 71:22-24 - Vows of Praise")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** While the psalmist is not explicitly named, the themes resonate with the experiences of figures like King David in his later years, facing rebellion or decline. In ancient Israel, old age often brought increased vulnerability, both physically and politically, making reliance on divine strength paramount. The concept of "righteousness" (Hebrew: *tsedaqah*) in this context extends beyond mere moral rectitude; it encompasses God's covenant faithfulness, His just and redemptive acts, and His unwavering adherence to His promises. The "great things" would have evoked collective memories of God's powerful interventions in Israel's history, such as the Exodus from Egypt ([Exodus/14](/exodus/14 "Exodus 14 - The Red Sea Crossing")), the giving of the Law at Sinai ([Exodus/19](/exodus/19 "Exodus 19 - The Giving of the Law")), and the conquest of Canaan ([Joshua/3](/joshua/3 "Joshua 3 - Crossing the Jordan")). The rhetorical question "who is like unto thee!" directly challenged the polytheistic worldview prevalent in the ancient Near East, asserting the unique and supreme sovereignty of Yahweh over all other gods and powers.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully encapsulates several overarching themes found throughout the Psalms and the broader Old Testament. It highlights **God's transcendent righteousness**, emphasizing His perfect moral integrity and unwavering faithfulness as the bedrock of His character and actions. It underscores **God's mighty acts**, showcasing His sovereign power and providential care demonstrated through historical interventions and creation itself, which serve as tangible proof of His benevolent nature and ability to deliver. Finally, it proclaims **God's absolute incomparability**, asserting His singular uniqueness and supremacy above all other beings, powers, or deities. This theme is foundational to Israel's monotheistic faith, as seen in passages like [Isaiah 40:25](/isaiah/40-25 "Isaiah 40:25 - To whom then will ye liken me?"). The psalmist's declaration of these divine attributes reinforces a lifelong **trust in God** as the ultimate refuge and source of hope, even in the face of profound personal and external challenges, echoing the sentiment found in [Psalm 91:2](/psalms/91-2 "Psalm 91:2 - My Refuge and My Fortress").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Righteousness (Hebrew, _tsedaqah'_):** This term is rich in meaning, encompassing not only justice and moral uprightness but also God's active faithfulness to His covenant promises and His redemptive acts. It signifies His integrity, His standard of right, and His saving activity on behalf of His people. God's *tsedaqah* is not passive; it is dynamic and manifest in His interventions.
* **Great things (Hebrew, _gadol'_):** This refers to deeds of immense power, significance, and awe-inspiring wonder. These are often God's miraculous interventions in history, His acts of creation, and His powerful deliverances. They are tangible demonstrations of His omnipotence and sovereignty, reinforcing His unique position.
* **Like unto thee (Hebrew, _kamocha'_):** This phrase, often found in rhetorical questions, asserts God's absolute uniqueness and supremacy. It declares that there is no one, no power, no being, no deity that can compare to Him in character, power, wisdom, or faithfulness. It is a declaration of His singular, incomparable nature.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thy righteousness also, O God, [is] very high":** This clause declares the transcendent nature of God's righteousness. "Very high" (Hebrew: *ad-me'od ramah*) emphasizes that God's moral perfection, justice, and covenant faithfulness are utterly exalted, beyond human comprehension or attainment. It signifies that His character is supreme and unblemished, serving as the ultimate standard for all existence and the unwavering basis for His actions and promises.
* **"who hast done great things":** This transitions from God's intrinsic character to His active demonstration of that character through His deeds. The "great things" refer to His powerful, awe-inspiring acts throughout history—creation, the Exodus, the giving of the Law, and countless deliverances. These acts provide concrete evidence of His power, sovereignty, and benevolent intervention, confirming His transcendent righteousness.
* **"O God, who [is] like unto thee!":** This climactic rhetorical question serves as a powerful affirmation of God's absolute uniqueness and incomparability. It is not a request for information but a declarative statement that no other being, deity, or power can possibly measure up to Him in character, might, or faithfulness. It underscores His singular position as the one true and living God, distinct from all created things and false idols.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 71:19 employs several potent literary devices to convey its profound theological message. The phrase "very high" utilizes **Hyperbole**, exaggerating the altitude to emphasize the absolute transcendence and supreme nature of God's righteousness, indicating it is far beyond human reach or comprehension. The concluding "O God, who [is] like unto thee!" is a classic **Rhetorical Question**, posed not to elicit an answer but to make a forceful, undeniable declaration of God's unparalleled uniqueness and supremacy. This question serves to challenge any notion of rivalry or comparison to the Almighty. The verse also exhibits a form of **Parallelism**, specifically synthetic or climactic, where the subsequent clauses build upon and intensify the initial declaration. It moves from God's inherent character ("righteousness is very high") to His active demonstration of that character ("hast done great things") and culminates in a declaration of His absolute distinctiveness ("who is like unto thee!"). Finally, the direct address "O God" is an example of **Apostrophe**, where the psalmist directly addresses God, creating a sense of intimacy and immediacy in the declaration of praise and trust.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly connects to the biblical understanding of God's attributes, particularly His holiness, omnipotence, and sovereignty. God's "very high" righteousness underscores His moral perfection and His unwavering commitment to justice and truth, which is the foundation of His covenant relationship with humanity. His "great things" testify to His active involvement in history, demonstrating His power to create, sustain, and redeem. The declaration of His incomparability is central to biblical monotheism, setting Yahweh apart from all false gods and affirming His singular authority over all creation. This truth provides immense comfort and assurance, for it means that the God in whom we trust is utterly reliable, supremely powerful, and uniquely capable of fulfilling His promises and bringing about His purposes.

* [Deuteronomy 32:4](/deuteronomy/32-4 "Deuteronomy 32:4 - God's Perfect Works")
* [Isaiah 40:25](/isaiah/40-25 "Isaiah 40:25 - God's Incomparability")
* [Psalm 145:3](/psalms/145-3 "Psalm 145:3 - God's Greatness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 71:19 offers profound encouragement and a robust foundation for faith, particularly in seasons of vulnerability, challenge, or old age. When we are confronted with the frailties of life, the injustices of the world, or the overwhelming power of adversaries, this verse calls us to lift our gaze to the God whose righteousness is "very high." This truth reassures us that His character is flawless, His promises are unbreakable, and His justice will ultimately prevail. Reflecting on the "great things" He has done in history and in our own lives reminds us of His proven power and faithfulness, strengthening our confidence that He is fully capable of acting powerfully in our present circumstances. The resounding declaration, "O God, who is like unto thee!", inspires deep worship and absolute trust, compelling us to place our hope solely in Him, knowing that we serve an incomparable God whose power is limitless and whose love is unwavering. It calls us to live lives of unwavering faith, testifying to His greatness in every season.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding God's "very high" righteousness impact your trust in His justice and promises, especially when life seems unfair or difficult?**
* **What "great things" has God done in your life or in the broader history of salvation that reinforce your belief in His power and faithfulness?**
* **In what ways does the incomparability of God ("who is like unto thee!") deepen your worship and commitment to Him alone, distinct from any other source of hope or security?**

### FAQ
**What does "Thy righteousness also, O God, [is] very high" mean in a practical sense for believers?**

Answer: In a practical sense, this phrase assures believers of God's absolute moral perfection and unwavering integrity. It means that God always acts in accordance with His perfect character; He is just, faithful, and true in all His dealings. For us, this provides an unshakable foundation for trust: we can be confident that God's promises are reliable, His judgments are righteous, and His ultimate plan for redemption and justice will prevail. Even when circumstances seem chaotic or unjust, knowing that God's righteousness is "very high" allows us to rest in His sovereign control and anticipate His perfect resolution. It also implies that His standard for us is high, calling us to pursue righteousness in our own lives, empowered by His Spirit.

**How does this verse relate to God's "great things" mentioned elsewhere in the Bible?**

Answer: The "great things" mentioned in Psalms 71:19 refer to God's powerful, awe-inspiring, and often miraculous interventions throughout history. These are not merely impressive feats but acts that demonstrate His sovereignty, power, and covenant faithfulness. Examples abound throughout Scripture:
* The creation of the cosmos ([Genesis/1](/genesis/1 "Genesis 1 - The Creation Account"))
* The deliverance of Israel from Egyptian bondage through the Red Sea ([Exodus/14](/exodus/14 "Exodus 14 - The Red Sea Crossing"))
* The provision of manna in the wilderness ([Exodus/16](/exodus/16 "Exodus 16 - Manna in the Wilderness"))
* The conquest of Canaan ([Joshua/3](/joshua/3 "Joshua 3 - Crossing the Jordan"))
* Countless acts of salvation and judgment throughout the Old Testament narratives.
These "great things" serve as tangible proofs of God's character and His ability to act decisively on behalf of His people. For the psalmist, recalling these past deeds reinforces confidence in God's present and future ability to deliver, echoing themes found in [Psalm 106:2](/psalms/106-2 "Who can utter the mighty acts of the LORD?").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 71:19 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the very embodiment of God's "very high" righteousness, for He lived a perfectly righteous life, fulfilling all the Law and demonstrating divine holiness in human flesh ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Our High Priest")). Indeed, He is our righteousness, for through faith in Him, God imputes His perfect righteousness to us, making us acceptable in His sight ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Our Righteousness")). Furthermore, Jesus' life, death, and resurrection constitute the greatest "great things" God has ever done. His atoning sacrifice on the cross and His triumphant resurrection from the dead are the supreme demonstrations of God's power, love, and redemptive purpose, far surpassing all previous acts of deliverance ([Ephesians 1:19-20](/ephesians/1-19 "Ephesians 1:19-20 - God's Power in Christ")). Finally, the rhetorical question "O God, who is like unto thee!" is answered definitively in Christ, for He is the unique Son of God, the exact imprint of God's nature, and the incomparable image of the invisible God ([Colossians 1:15-17](/colossians/1-15 "Colossians 1:15-17 - Christ's Supremacy")). In Him, all the fullness of God dwells, making Him utterly unique and supreme, the one through whom all things were created and in whom all things hold together ([Colossians 1:19](/colossians/1-19 "Colossians 1:19 - All Fullness Dwells in Christ")). Thus, through Christ, believers not only witness God's high righteousness and great deeds but also participate in them, being made righteous and empowered by the incomparable One.

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 35:10

All my bones shall say, LORD, who [is] like unto thee, which deliverest the poor from him that is too strong for him, yea, the poor and the needy from him that spoileth him?

Psalms 36:5

¶ Thy mercy, O LORD, [is] in the heavens; [and] thy faithfulness [reacheth] unto the clouds.

Psalms 36:6

Thy righteousness [is] like the great mountains; thy judgments [are] a great deep: O LORD, thou preservest man and beast.

Psalms 57:10

For thy mercy [is] great unto the heavens, and thy truth unto the clouds.

Isaiah 55:9

For [as] the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Isaiah 40:25

To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One.

Psalms 72:18

¶ Blessed [be] the LORD God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things.