Psalm 71:21 kjv
Thou shalt increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side.
Psalm 71:21 nkjv
You shall increase my greatness, And comfort me on every side.
Psalm 71:21 niv
You will increase my honor and comfort me once more.
Psalm 71:21 esv
You will increase my greatness and comfort me again.
Psalm 71:21 nlt
You will restore me to even greater honor
and comfort me once again.
Psalm 71 21 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Psa 71:20 | You who have shown me great and severe troubles will revive me again... | Preceding context of suffering and restoration. |
| Isa 40:1-2 | "Comfort, comfort my people," says your God. Speak tenderly... | God's compassionate promise to comfort. |
| Isa 51:3 | For the LORD will comfort Zion; he will comfort all her waste places... | God's comfort leading to joy and gladness. |
| Psa 115:14 | May the LORD give you increase, you and your children. | Prayer for divine increase/multiplication. |
| Psa 23:5 | You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies... | God's vindication and honor amidst adversaries. |
| Psa 94:19 | When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul. | God's comfort for an anxious heart. |
| Isa 61:7 | Instead of your shame, you will have a double portion... | Divine reversal of shame to honor. |
| Jer 31:12-13 | They shall come and sing aloud on the height of Zion... I will turn their mourning into joy; I will comfort them... | God transforms sorrow into joy and comfort. |
| Joel 2:25-26 | I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten... | God's promise of full restoration. |
| Job 42:10 | And the LORD restored the fortunes of Job... | Restoration and blessing after suffering. |
| 2 Cor 1:3-4 | Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort... | God as the ultimate source of comfort. |
| Php 4:6-7 | Do not be anxious about anything... And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding... | God's peace as comfort against anxiety. |
| Psa 30:11-12 | You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness... | God brings joy after lament. |
| Psa 4:1 | Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness!... Have mercy on me and hear my prayer. | Seeking divine intervention and vindication. |
| Zec 1:17 | My cities shall again overflow with prosperity, and the LORD will again comfort Zion and again choose Jerusalem." | God's promised future prosperity and comfort. |
| 1 Pet 5:10 | After you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace... will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. | God's work of restoration after suffering. |
| Heb 12:11 | For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness... | Suffering leads to righteous outcome and peace. |
| Psa 6:9 | The LORD has heard my plea; the LORD accepts my prayer. | God hears prayers for deliverance. |
| Psa 86:17 | Show me a sign of your favor, that those who hate me may see and be put to shame... | God's public vindication of the righteous. |
| Deut 8:16 | ...that he might humble you and test you, to do you good in the end. | Suffering leading to ultimate good from God. |
| Gen 12:2 | I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great... | God's promise to increase greatness. |
| Isa 9:3 | You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy... | God increases both numbers and joy. |
| 1 Sam 2:7 | The LORD makes poor and makes rich; he brings low and he exalts. | God's sovereignty over status and prosperity. |
| Lam 3:32 | Though he bring grief, he will show compassion, according to the abundance of his steadfast love. | God's ultimate compassion despite grief. |
| Job 8:7 | Though your beginning was small, your latter end will be very great. | Hope for increased blessing in the end. |
Psalm 71 verses
Psalm 71 21 Meaning
Psalm 71:21 is a declaration of trust and anticipation that the Lord will greatly enlarge the psalmist's stature, honor, or influence, and concurrently bring profound and repeated comfort after a period of deep distress. It speaks to divine restoration, not just to a prior state but to an increased measure of God's favor and peace.
Psalm 71 21 Context
Psalm 71 is a prayer of a faithful servant of God, likely advanced in years, who is facing significant adversity, false accusations, and mockery from enemies. It is unique in that it lacks a title but echoes themes often associated with David. The psalmist expresses deep distress (vv. 9-11), feels forsaken (v. 18), yet repeatedly declares unwavering trust in God from his youth (vv. 5-6, 17). This psalm is a heartfelt plea for deliverance, vindication, and continued support in old age. Verse 21 appears in a section (vv. 19-21) where the psalmist shifts from expressing trouble to proclaiming confidence in God's restorative power. He acknowledges God's past "great things" (v. 19) and foresees God bringing him out of trouble, not just to recovery but to an augmented state of honor and renewed comfort, linking closely with the "revive me again" of verse 20. The original audience would have resonated with the lament and the hopeful plea for divine intervention against shame and for honor.
Psalm 71 21 Word analysis
- You will increase (תּוֹסֵף, tosep̄): From the Hebrew root יָסַף (yasap̄), meaning "to add," "increase," "do again," "continue." This verb here in the imperfect indicates a continuous or future action. It signifies not merely a restoration to a previous state but an augmentation or addition, making something more abundant or greater than before. It implies divine favor actively enhancing the psalmist's situation.
- my greatness (גְּדֻלָּתִי, gĕdullātī): From the noun גְּדֻלָּה (gedullah), meaning "greatness," "magnitude," "might," "distinction," or "honor." This refers to God's attribute of greatness but can also describe human exaltation, influence, or high status bestowed by God. In context, it points to vindication from adversaries, restoration of honor, and perhaps an amplified measure of God's blessing and recognition in the eyes of others. It’s God confirming His favor and standing with His servant.
- and comfort me (וְתִסַּבֵּב תּוּסִיף נֶחָמָה, wĕṯīsṣābēb tūysîp̄ neḥāmâ): The text for "comfort me again" in Hebrew is nuanced. Some ancient texts (LXX, Vulgate, Syriac) and interpretations suggest "surround me and comfort me again." However, the Masoretic Text (the standard Hebrew text) reads וְתִשּׁוּב תְּנַחֲמֵנִי (wĕṯiššûḇ tĕnaḥămēnî), "and turn and comfort me." This is where the translation "comfort me again" or "restore me to comfort" comes from, implying a return to a state of ease.
- וְתִשּׁוּב (wĕṯiššûḇ): From שׁוּב (shûḇ), "to return," "turn back," "restore." This emphasizes the repetitive or renewed nature of God's comforting action, implying a reversal of prior sorrow.
- תְּנַחֲמֵנִי (tĕnaḥămēnî): From נָחַם (naḥam), "to comfort," "console," "regret," "repent." Here, God providing solace, inner peace, and relief from distress. It's a deep, spiritual comforting, alleviating the pains of life and fear of enemies.
- Word Group: "You will increase my greatness": This phrase encapsulates divine vindication and promotion. After being humiliated or diminished by circumstances and enemies, the psalmist expresses faith that God will publicly exalt him, restoring his honor and influence beyond what it was previously. This is a promise of flourishing.
- Word Group: "and comfort me again": This focuses on the internal and emotional aspect of restoration. It signifies the removal of distress, grief, and anxiety, replaced by profound peace and joy from God. The word "again" emphasizes that this comfort follows a period of discomfort, affirming God's unfailing care even after severe trials.
Psalm 71 21 Bonus section
The doubling aspect in the Hebrew of "comfort me again" (often understood from the nuance of 'return and comfort me' or 'you will again comfort me') echoes a recurring biblical pattern where God's restoration often surpasses the initial blessing (e.g., Job 42:10, Isa 61:7). This psalm is considered a "psalm of the aged," expressing that reliance on God is lifelong and God's faithfulness extends into one's twilight years, transforming potential decline into increased grace and glory. The psalmist's prayer anticipates a powerful divine reversal, from shame and trouble to honor and renewed joy, affirming God's justice and sovereignty over all circumstances.
Psalm 71 21 Commentary
Psalm 71:21 beautifully articulates the hope for divine restoration and magnification. It goes beyond mere recovery, indicating God's intention not just to bring the psalmist back to a prior state of well-being, but to increase his "greatness" or honor. This "greatness" can be understood as vindication in the eyes of his detractors, a public acknowledgment of his righteousness, or even an increase in divine blessing and favor. This exaltation is not for human glory but for the testimony of God's faithfulness. Coupled with this external vindication is the profound promise of comfort. The phrase "comfort me again" implies that the psalmist has endured significant distress and is seeking renewed inner peace and consolation from God. It highlights God's role as the ultimate source of solace in affliction. The verse speaks to the compassionate character of God who, having led His servant through "great and severe troubles" (v. 20), is also committed to elevating him and filling his heart with deep, lasting peace. This demonstrates that God's plan for His faithful often includes periods of testing, but the ultimate outcome for the righteous is divine vindication, increased blessing, and profound comfort, making suffering serve a higher purpose. For instance, just as Joseph was elevated to great power after unjust imprisonment, or Job received double blessings after enduring immense loss.