Psalms 71:21

21 You will increase my greatness, and you will comfort me all around.

Psalms 71:21 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 71:21

Thou shalt increase my greatness
His temporal greatness, as he did, by crushing the rebellion of his son; returning him to his palace and family; and giving him rest from his enemies all around: and his spiritual greatness, by favouring him with his presence; by shedding abroad his love in his heart; by enlarging his experience; increasing his faith, causing his love to abound, and him to grow in every grace, and in the knowledge of Christ;

and comfort me on every side;
by his Spirit, word, and ordinances; by his truths and promises; with his rod and staff; and with mercy, grace, and lovingkindness. The phrase denotes the abundance of comfort, which should come as it were from every quarter, and encompass him about.

Psalms 71:21 In-Context

19 And your righteousness, O God, [is] to [the] height [of heaven]. You who have done great things, O God, who [is] like you?
20 You who have caused me to see many troubles and evils, you will again revive me. And from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up.
21 You will increase my greatness, and you will comfort me all around.
22 On my part, I will praise you with a stringed instrument, [and] your faithfulness, O my God. I will sing praises to you with a lyre, O Holy One of Israel.
23 My lips will sing for joy when I sing praises to you, and my soul, which you have redeemed.

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. A slightly different vocalization yields, "... comfort me again"; compare the LXX.
Scripture quotations marked (LEB) are from the Lexham English Bible. Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software. Lexham is a registered trademark of Logos Bible Software.