Psalm 71 14

Psalm 71:14 kjv

But I will hope continually, and will yet praise thee more and more.

Psalm 71:14 nkjv

But I will hope continually, And will praise You yet more and more.

Psalm 71:14 niv

As for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more.

Psalm 71:14 esv

But I will hope continually and will praise you yet more and more.

Psalm 71:14 nlt

But I will keep on hoping for your help;
I will praise you more and more.

Psalm 71 verses

Psalm 71 14 Meaning

Psalm 71:14 declares the psalmist's firm resolve to maintain a perpetual posture of hope in God and to increasingly offer Him praise, despite the challenging circumstances often implied in this psalm. It reflects a choice of faithful reliance and worship as a deliberate response to God's character and past faithfulness.

Psalm 71 14 Context

Psalm 71 is a heartfelt prayer of an aged individual facing multiple adversities—from malicious foes who seek his downfall to the general vulnerabilities of old age, seemingly feeling forsaken by God in his present distress (Psa 71:9-11). The psalmist appeals to God based on His consistent faithfulness from his youth (Psa 71:5-6, 17-18). Within this lament and plea for deliverance, verse 14 serves as a strong declaration of trust and commitment. Despite the outward circumstances, and even perceived divine silence, the psalmist expresses a deep, unwavering resolve to continue hoping in God and to persistently offer praise. It stands as a profound statement of faith amidst tribulation, asserting a proactive spiritual posture rather than passive despair.

Psalm 71 14 Word analysis

• But I (וַאֲנִי, wa'ani): This conjunction "But" and the emphatic pronoun "I" denote a sharp contrast to the previous verse (Psa 71:13), where enemies are consumed by shame and reproach. While they seek the psalmist's demise, he takes a distinctly different course. "I" signifies a deeply personal commitment, a resolute stance taken by the psalmist regardless of external circumstances or the actions of others.
• will hope (אֲיַחֵל, ayachel): From the Hebrew root יָחַל (yachal), meaning to wait for, look eagerly for, be patient, hope. This is not a passive wish but an active, expectant waiting, full of confidence in God. It implies trusting in God's timing and His character, acknowledging Him as the only true source of future well-being and deliverance. It encompasses patience and spiritual discipline.
• continually (תָּמִיד, tamid): This adverb signifies perpetuity, constancy, and regularity. It speaks of a steadfast, unbroken pattern. The psalmist pledges continuous hope, emphasizing an enduring commitment without ceasing or waiver, not just during trials but throughout all of life. It implies persistence, discipline, and an unbroken spiritual discipline.
• and will yet praise (וְאוֹסִיף לְהַלֶּלְךָ, v'osif l'hallelekha): The word וְאוֹסִיף (v'osif) comes from יָסַף (yasaf), meaning "to add, increase, continue to do." Therefore, "will yet praise" suggests an increase in praise or a continuing to praise more and more. It's a proactive decision to not just maintain praise, but to multiply or augment it. "Praise" (הָלַל, halal) means to laud, commend, make a show of, boast in, to shine. This isn't just internal acknowledgment but often an outward declaration.
• Thee (לְךָ, lekha): The praise is directed specifically to God. This pronoun explicitly highlights God as the exclusive object of the psalmist's hope and praise. All focus is squarely upon Him and His character.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• But I will hope continually: This phrase forms the core declaration of an unwavering spiritual posture. It is a decision to sustain trust in God, without interruption, as a defiant act against despair. This kind of hope is not dependent on positive external signs but rooted in God's immutable character and promises. It’s an act of deep faith maintained even in suffering or delay.
• and will yet praise Thee: This immediately links hope with its natural expression—praise. It is not just hope for something, but hope in God, which flows into ceaseless worship. The "yet" implies an escalating or deepening praise. It suggests that praise will continue even beyond anticipated deliverance, perhaps because the very act of hoping is worthy of praise, or simply because God's intrinsic worth merits unending adoration. This phrase reflects a reciprocal relationship: hope empowers praise, and praise strengthens hope.

Psalm 71 14 Bonus section

The active nature of "hope" in Hebrew scripture often correlates with "waiting" upon the Lord, indicating not passive idleness, but watchful perseverance. This patient waiting is empowered by God’s Spirit, differentiating it from human striving. The link between continuous hope and ever-increasing praise highlights a self-reinforcing cycle of spiritual discipline; the more one hopes in God, the more one finds reasons to praise Him, and conversely, the act of praising God deepens one's hope. This verse also presents a model of steadfastness, countering the natural human tendency to lose hope and cease praise in times of trial. It emphasizes the believer's intentionality in choosing faith and worship, affirming God's worthiness above all passing circumstances.

Psalm 71 14 Commentary

Psalm 71:14 stands as a profound declaration of sustained faith and unwavering worship amidst life's gravest challenges, characteristic of the aging psalmist in the surrounding verses. It encapsulates the essence of biblical hope, which is not a mere optimistic wish, but a confident, active expectation rooted in the unshakeable character and promises of God. Unlike worldly hope, which often depends on favorable outcomes or human effort, the hope declared here is perpetually directed towards God alone, a disciplined choice to lean fully into His sovereignty and mercy.

This perpetual hope finds its natural and expressed outcome in escalating praise. The psalmist's determination to "add" to his praise or to "praise more and more" highlights a deepening devotion that grows rather than diminishes in adversity. This is not simply a reaction to blessings, but an act of spiritual discipline, an acknowledgment of God's unchanging goodness regardless of fleeting circumstances. It signifies that even when prayers for deliverance are pending, and enemies assail, the psalmist's response is one of increasing reverence and thanksgiving. This steadfast hope and ceaseless praise act as a powerful antidote to despair, embodying the victory of faith over doubt, and reflecting the very heart of persistent communion with God in every season of life. It is a testament that faith is not a temporary emotion, but a lived reality, expressing itself in both quiet confidence and vocal adoration.

Examples:

• Continuing to pray and give thanks during a prolonged illness, trusting God's timing and ultimate purpose.
• Persisting in studying God's Word and joining in worship even when facing job loss or financial hardship.
• Maintaining a positive spiritual outlook and testifying to God's goodness despite significant personal losses or disappointments.