Psalm 71:19

19 Your ¹righteousness, O God, reaches the high heavens. You who have done ²great things, O God, ³who is like you?

Psalm 71:19 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 71:19

Thy righteousness also, O God, [is] very high
Or, "unto [the place] on high" ^F6; it reaches unto heaven, as the mercy, truth, and faithfulness of God, are said to do, ( Psalms 36:5 ) ( 57:10 ) . The righteousness of Christ is accepted of with God the Father in heaven; it is in Christ, who is there at the right hand of God; and it is higher and infinitely above any righteousness of a creature, angel's or man's;

who hast done great things;
in nature, in forming the world out of nothing, and in upholding all creatures in their beings; in providence, in governing the world, and ordering all things in it for the best, and to answer the wisest purposes; in grace, in the salvation of lost sinners by Christ; in the justification of them by his righteousness; and in the atonement and pardon of their sins, through his blood and sacrifice; in the regeneration of them by his grace; in making and performing exceeding great and precious promises, and in giving them eternal life;

O God, who [is] like unto thee?
either for greatness or goodness; for power or for mercy; for justice, truth, and faithfulness; for the perfections of his nature, or the works of his hands; and to be praised, reverenced and adored, as he is; see ( Psalms 89:6 Psalms 89:7 ) .

---

FOOTNOTES:

F6 (Mwrm de) "usque in excelsum", Pagninus, Montanus, Gejerus; "in altum usque", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator.

Psalm 71:19 In-Context

17 O God, from my youth you have taught me, and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds.

18 So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come.

19 Your righteousness, O God, reaches the high heavens. You who have done great things, O God, who is like you?

20 You who have made me see many troubles and calamities will revive me again; from the depths of the earth you will bring me up again.

21 You will increase my greatness and comfort me again.

Cross References

• 1. 71:19 Ps. 36:5
• 2. 71:19 Ps. 126:2; 1 Sam. 12:24; Luke 1:49
• 3. 71:19 Ps. 35:10