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Commentary on Psalms 71 verses 14–24
David is here in a holy transport of joy and praise, arising from his faith and hope in God; we have both together Psa 71:14, where there is a sudden and remarkable change of his voice; his fears are all silenced, his hopes raised, and his prayers turned into thanksgivings. "Let my enemies say what they will, to drive me to despair, I will hope continually, hope in all conditions, in the most cloudy and dark day; I will live upon hope and will hope to the end." Since we hope in one that will never fail us, let not our hope in him fail us, and then we shall praise him yet more and more. "The more they reproach me the more closely will I cleave to thee; I will praise thee more and better than ever I have done yet." The longer we live the more expert we should grow in praising God and the more we should abound in it. I will add over and above all thy praise, all the praise I have hitherto offered, for it is all too little. When we have said all we can, to the glory of God's grace, there is still more to be said; it is a subject that can never be exhausted, and therefore we should never grow weary of it. Now observe, in these verses,
I. How his heart is established in faith and hope; and it is a good thing that the heart be so established. Observe,
1.What he hopes in, Psa 71:16. (1.) In the power of God: "I will go in the strength of the Lord God, not sit down in despair, but stir up myself to and exert myself in my work and warfare, will go forth and go on, not in any strength of my own, but in God's strength - disclaiming my own sufficiency and depending on him only as all-sufficient - in the strength of his providence and in the strength of his grace." We must always go about God's work in his strength, having our eyes up unto him to work in us both to will and to do. (2.) In the promise of God: "I will make mention of thy righteousness, that is, thy faithfulness to every word which thou hast spoken, the equity of thy disposals, and thy kindness to thy people that trust in thee. This I will make mention of as my plea in prayer for thy mercy." We may very fitly apply it to the righteousness of Christ, which is called the righteousness of God by faith, and which is witnessed by the law and the prophets; we must depend upon God's strength for assistance and upon Christ's righteousness for acceptance. In the Lord have I righteousness and strength, Isa 45:24.
2.What he hopes for.
(1.)He hopes that God will not leave him in his old age, but will be the same to him to the end that he had been all along, Psa 71:17, Psa 71:18. Observe here, [1.] What God had done for him when he was young: Thou hast taught me from my youth. The good education and good instructions which his parents gave him when he was young he owns himself obliged to give God thanks for as a great favour. It is a blessed thing to be taught of God from our youth, from our childhood to know the holy scriptures, and it is what we have reason to bless God for. [2.] What he had done for God when he was middle-aged: He had declared all God's wondrous works. Those that have not good when they are young must be doing good when they are grown up, and must continue to communicate what they have received. We must own that all the works of God's goodness to us are wondrous works, admiring he should do so much for us who are so undeserving, and we must make it our business to declare them, to the glory of God and the good of others. [3.] What he desired of God now that he was old: Now that I am old and gray-headed, dying to this world and hastening to another, O God! forsake me not. This is what he earnestly desires and confidently hopes for. Those that have been taught of God from their youth, and have made it the business of their lives to honour him, may be sure that he will not leave them when they are old and gray-headed, will not leave them helpless and comfortless, but will make the evil days of old age their best days, and such as they shall have occasion to say they have pleasure in. [4.] What he designed to do for God in his old age: "I will not only show thy strength, by my own experience of it, to this generation, but I will leave my observations upon record for the benefit of posterity, and so who it to every one that is to come." As long as we live we should be endeavouring to glorify God and edify one another; and those that have had the largest and longest experience of the goodness of God to them should improve their experiences for the good of their friends. It is a debt which the old disciples of Christ owe to the succeeding generations to leave behind them a solemn testimony to the power, pleasure, and advantage of religion, and the truth of God's promises.
(2.)He hopes that God would revive him and raise him up out of his present low and disconsolate condition (Psa 71:20): Thou who hast made me to see and feel great and sore troubles, above most men, shalt quicken me again. Note, [1.] The best of God's saints and servants are sometimes exercised with great and sore troubles in this world. [2.] God's hand is to be eyed in all the troubles of the saints, and that will help to extenuate them and make them seem light. He does not say, "Thou hast burdened me with those troubles," but "shown them to me," as the tender father shows the child the rod to keep him in awe. [3.] Though God's people be brought ever so low he can revive them and raise them up. Are they dead? he can quicken them again. See Co2 1:9. Are they buried, as dead men out of mind? he can bring them up again from the depths of the earth, can cheer the most drooping spirit and raise the most sinking interest. [4.] If we have a due regard to the hand of God in our troubles, we may promise ourselves, in due time, a deliverance out of them. Our present troubles, though great and sore, shall be no hindrance to our joyful resurrection from the depths of the earth, witness our great Master, to whom this may have some reference; his Father showed him great and sore troubles, but quickened him and brought him up from the grave.
(3.)He hopes that God would not only deliver him out of his troubles, but would advance his honour and joy more than ever (Psa 71:21): "Thou shalt not only restore me to my greatness again, but shalt increase it, and give me a better interest, after this shock, than before; thou shalt not only comfort me, but comfort me on every side, so that I shall see nothing black or threatening on any side." Note, Sometimes God makes his people's troubles contribute to the increase of their greatness, and their sun shines the brighter for having been under a cloud. If he make them contribute to the increase of their goodness, that will prove in the end the increase of their greatness, their glory; and if he comfort them on every side, according to the time and degree wherein he has afflicted them on every side, they will have no reason to complain. When our Lord Jesus was quickened again, and brought back from the depths of the earth, his greatness was increased, and he entered on the joy set before him.
(4.)He hopes that all his enemies would be put to confusion, Psa 71:24. He speaks of it with the greatest assurance as a thing done, and triumphs in it accordingly: They are confounded, they are brought to shame, that seek my hurt. His honour would be their disgrace and his comfort their vexation.
II. Let us now see how his heart is enlarged in joy and praises, how he rejoices in hope, and sings in hope for we are saved by hope.
1.He will speak of God's righteousness and his salvation, as great things, things which he was well acquainted with, and much affected with, which he desired God might have the glory of and others might have the comfortable knowledge of (Psa 71:15): My mouth shall show forth thy righteousness and thy salvation; and again (Psa 71:24), My tongue shall talk of thy righteousness, and this all the day. God's righteousness, which David seems here to be in a particular manner affected with, includes a great deal: the rectitude of his nature, the equity of his providential disposals, the righteous laws he has given us to be ruled by, the righteous promises he has given us to depend upon, and the everlasting righteousness which his Son has brought in for our justification. God's righteousness and his salvation are here joined together; let no man think to put them asunder, nor expect salvation without righteousness, Psa 50:23. If these two are made the objects of our desire, let them be made the subjects of our discourse all the day, for they are subjects that can never be exhausted.
2.He will speak of them with wonder and admiration, as one astonished at the dimensions of divine love and grace, the height and depth, the length and breadth, of it: "I know not the numbers thereof, Psa 71:15. Though I cannot give a particular account of thy favours to me, they are so many, so great (if I would count them, they are more in number than the sand, Psa 40:5), yet, knowing them to be numberless, I will be still speaking of them, for in them I shall find new matter," Psa 71:19. The righteousness that is in God is very high; that which is done by him for his people is very great: put both together, and we shall say, O God! who is like unto thee? This is praising God, acknowledging his perfections and performances to be, (1.) Above our conception; they are very high and great, so high that we cannot apprehend them, so great that we cannot comprehend them. (2.) Without any parallel; no being like him, no works like his: O God! who is like unto thee? None in heaven, none on earth, no angel, no king. God is a non-such; we do not rightly praise him if we do not own him to be so.
3.He will speak of them with all the expressions of joy and exultation, Psa 71:22, Psa 71:23. Observe,
(1.)How he would eye God in praising him. [1.] As a faithful God: I will praise thee, even thy truth. God is made known by his word; if we praise that, and the truth of that, we praise him. By faith we set to our seal that God is true; and so we praise his truth. [2.] As a God in covenant with him: "O my God! whom I have consented to and avouched for mine." As in our prayers, so in our praises, we must look up to God as our God, and give him the glory of our interest in him and relation to him. [3.] As the Holy One of Israel, Israel's God in a peculiar manner, glorious in his holiness among that people and faithful to his covenant with them. It is God's honour that he is a Holy One; it is his people's honour that he is the Holy One of Israel.
(2.)How he will express his joy and exultation. [1.] With his hand, in sacred music - with the psaltery, with the harp; at these David excelled, and the best of his skill shall be employed in setting forth God's praises to such advantage as might affect others. [2.] With his lips, in sacred songs: "Unto thee will I sing, to thy honour, and with a desire to be accepted of thee. My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing unto thee, knowing they cannot be better employed." [3.] In both with his heart: "My soul shall rejoice which thou hast redeemed." Note, First, Holy joy is the very heart and life of thankful praise. Secondly, We do not make melody to the Lord, in singing his praises, if we do not do it with our hearts. My lips shall rejoice, but that is nothing; lip-labour, though ever so well laboured, if that be all, is but lost labour in serving God; the soul must be at work, and with all that is within us we must bless his holy name, else all about us is worth little. Thirdly, Redeemed souls ought to be joyful thankful souls. The work of redemption ought, above all God's works, to be celebrated by us in our praises. The Lamb that was slain, and has redeemed us to God, must therefore be counted worthy of all blessing and praise.
But this was discipline; admonition, not desertion. Lastly, giving thanks, he says what? "And being turned You have made me alive, and from the bottomless places of the earth again You have brought me back." But when before? What is this "again"? You have fallen from a high place, O man, disobedient slave, O thou proud against your Lord, you have fallen. There hast come to pass in you, "every one that exalts himself shall be humbled:" may there come to pass in you, "every one that humbles himself shall be exalted." [Luke 14:11] Return thou from the deep. I return, he says, I return, I acknowledge; "O God, who is like You? How great troubles have You shown to me, many and evil! And being turned You have made me alive, and from the bottomless places of the earth again You have brought me back." "We perceive," I hear. You have brought us back from the bottomless places of the earth, hast brought us back from the depth and drowning of sin. But why "again"? When had it already been done? Let us go on, if perchance the latter parts of the Psalm itself do not explain to us the thing which here we do not yet perceive, namely, why he has said "again." Therefore let us hear: "How great troubles You have shown to me, many and evil! And being turned You have made me alive, and from the bottomless places of the earth again You have brought me back." What then? "You have multiplied Your righteousness, and being turned You have comforted me, and from the bottomless places of the earth again You have brought me back" [Psalm 71:21]. Behold a second "again"! If we labour to unravel this "again" when written once, who will be able to unravel it when doubled? Now "again" itself is a redoubling, and once more there is written "again." May He be with us from whom is grace, may there be with us the arm also which we are telling forth to every generation that is to come: may He be with us Himself, and as with the key of His Cross open to us the mystery that is locked up. For it was not to no purpose that when He was crucified the veil of the temple was rent in the midst, but to show that through His Passion the secret things of all mysteries were opened. [Matthew 27:51] May He then Himself be with men passing over unto Him, be the veil taken away: [2 Corinthians 3:16] may our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ tell us why such a voice of the Prophet has been sent before, "You have shown to me troubles many and evil: and being turned You have made me alive, and from the bottomless places of the earth again You have brought me back." Behold this is the first "again" which has been written. Let us see what this is, and we shall see why there is a second "again."
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SUMMARY
Psalms 71:21 is a profound declaration of confident hope from an aging believer, who, having faced significant distress and opposition, anticipates God's comprehensive restoration and solace. Following fervent pleas for divine intervention and a lifelong declaration of trust, the psalmist expresses a deep conviction that God will not abandon His servant in old age or adversity. Instead, God will elevate his dignity and surround him with complete, all-encompassing comfort, affirming His unfailing faithfulness and power to vindicate and sustain.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The verse employs several impactful literary devices that enhance its meaning and emotional resonance. Parallelism is evident in the two clauses, "Thou shalt increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side." This is a form of synthetic or complementary parallelism, where the second line expands upon or completes the thought of the first. Increasing greatness (public honor and vindication) and providing comfort (inner peace and solace) represent two distinct yet interconnected facets of God's holistic restoration. The phrase "on every side" functions as both hyperbole and a merism. As hyperbole, it emphasizes the overwhelming and pervasive nature of the distress the psalmist has experienced, suggesting attacks or anxieties from all conceivable directions. As a merism, it signifies totality, indicating that God's comfort will be equally comprehensive, encompassing every aspect of the psalmist's being and every source of his affliction. Finally, the verse implicitly uses anthropomorphism by depicting God as an active agent who "increases" and "comforts," attributing human-like actions to the divine to convey God's personal, intimate, and powerful engagement with the psalmist's life and circumstances.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 71:21 profoundly underscores God's active sovereignty and unwavering faithfulness to His people, particularly in times of vulnerability and distress. It reveals that true "greatness" is not self-achieved but is a divine gift, a restoration of dignity and honor bestowed by God upon those who trust in Him, often in the face of public humiliation or perceived decline. This verse affirms God's commitment to vindicate the righteous and reverse their fortunes, demonstrating His power to uplift and restore. Furthermore, it highlights the comprehensive nature of God's comfort, which is not merely emotional solace but an all-encompassing peace that addresses every dimension of human suffering, enveloping the believer from all angles of attack. This holistic divine care speaks to God's intimate knowledge of His children's needs and His boundless capacity to provide complete security and well-being, even when external circumstances remain challenging.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 71:21 offers enduring hope and profound encouragement for believers today, particularly for those navigating the challenges of aging, prolonged adversity, or feeling diminished and overlooked. It serves as a powerful reminder that our ultimate worth and dignity are not derived from worldly achievements, societal recognition, or physical vitality, but from our relationship with God, who is the ultimate source of true honor. When we feel assailed from all sides by trials, anxieties, or the weight of life's burdens, this verse invites us to turn to God with confident expectation, trusting that His comfort is not superficial but comprehensive, capable of enveloping every area of our distress. It challenges us to cultivate a lifelong, unwavering faith in God's faithfulness, knowing that He does not abandon His servants but continues to work on their behalf, restoring and sustaining them through every season of life, regardless of external circumstances. This verse calls us to embrace a perspective where God's vindication and comfort are the ultimate realities, even when outward circumstances seem to contradict them, fostering a deep, abiding peace that transcends understanding.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Does "increase my greatness" imply a desire for worldly power or pride?
Answer: No, in the context of Psalm 71, "increase my greatness" (Hebrew: gĕdûwlâh) is not a request for selfish ambition or worldly power. Instead, it is a humble prayer for divine vindication and the restoration of dignity, honor, and influence that may have been diminished by the psalmist's trials, age, or the malicious actions of his enemies. It reflects a desire for God to publicly demonstrate His favor and faithfulness, thereby silencing accusers and restoring the psalmist's rightful standing. True greatness, from a biblical perspective, is a gift from God, often given to those who humble themselves before Him, as seen in 1 Peter 5:6. It is about God being glorified through His servant's restoration, not the servant's self-exaltation.
How can God comfort "on every side" when suffering and trials persist in life?
Answer: God's promise to comfort "on every side" does not necessarily mean the immediate removal of all suffering or the absence of trials. Rather, it speaks to the comprehensive and pervasive nature of His presence and peace within those trials. It signifies that no matter the source or direction of distress, God's comfort is all-encompassing, touching every aspect of our being—emotional, spiritual, and even physical through resilience and strength. This divine comfort is an internal peace that transcends external turmoil, enabling believers to face adversity with hope and fortitude. It is the peace of God that "surpasses all understanding" and guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, as described in Philippians 4:7. It is a comfort that sustains us through, rather than always removes us from, our afflictions, demonstrating God's unwavering presence and power to uphold His children.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The psalmist's plea for increased greatness and comprehensive comfort in Psalms 71:21 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the psalmist, likely David, yearned for restoration of his earthly dignity and solace from his temporal afflictions, Jesus, the Greater David, perfectly embodies God's response to such cries. He, "though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men" (Philippians 2:6-7). Through His ultimate act of humility and suffering on the cross, Jesus experienced the deepest humiliation and distress "on every side," bearing the sins and sorrows of humanity. Yet, it was precisely through this profound abasement that God "highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name" (Philippians 2:9), thus increasing His "greatness" beyond measure. As the resurrected and ascended Lord, Christ is now the ultimate source of all comfort, sending the Holy Spirit, the "Comforter" or "Advocate," to indwell believers (John 14:16). Through Him, believers are promised not only a future share in His glory and "greatness" as co-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17) but also a present, all-encompassing comfort that transcends all earthly tribulation, rooted in the unbreakable love of God (Romans 8:38-39). Thus, Christ's journey from humiliation to exaltation, and His provision of the Spirit, perfectly fulfill the psalmist's longing for divine vindication and comfort on every side, offering a hope that is both eternal and deeply personal.