Psalm 71 24

Psalm 71:24 kjv

My tongue also shall talk of thy righteousness all the day long: for they are confounded, for they are brought unto shame, that seek my hurt.

Psalm 71:24 nkjv

My tongue also shall talk of Your righteousness all the day long; For they are confounded, For they are brought to shame Who seek my hurt.

Psalm 71:24 niv

My tongue will tell of your righteous acts all day long, for those who wanted to harm me have been put to shame and confusion.

Psalm 71:24 esv

And my tongue will talk of your righteous help all the day long, for they have been put to shame and disappointed who sought to do me hurt.

Psalm 71:24 nlt

I will tell about your righteous deeds
all day long,
for everyone who tried to hurt me
has been shamed and humiliated.

Psalm 71 verses

Psalm 71 24 Meaning

Psalm 71:24 declares the psalmist's perpetual commitment to publicly proclaim God's righteousness, a testament rooted in the ultimate and humiliating defeat of his adversaries who sought his harm. It expresses both gratitude for past or anticipated deliverance and confidence in God's saving justice that reverses the fortunes of His servant and His enemies.

Psalm 71 24 Context

Psalm 71 is a heartfelt prayer and song of trust from an older individual facing distress and powerful enemies. It portrays a lifelong walk of faith, recounting God's faithfulness from birth to old age (vv. 5-9, 17-18). The psalmist appeals for God's swift deliverance from malicious adversaries who seek his ruin and even mock his age (vv. 10-13). Amidst this distress, the psalmist expresses a determined hope and commitment to continue declaring God's mighty acts (vv. 14-16, 18). Verse 24 serves as a concluding affirmation, a vow of unending praise, triggered by the assured expectation of God's decisive intervention, leading to his vindication and the utter humiliation of his foes. It reflects a shift from deep supplication to joyful resolution based on divine promise.

Psalm 71 24 Word analysis

• My tongue: Hebrew "לְשׁוֹנִי" (lĕšônî). Signifies both speech and public testimony. It represents the psalmist's primary instrument for vocal expression and declaration, implying a personal, passionate utterance. Not just an internal thought, but an outward proclamation.
• also: Hebrew "גַּם" (gam). Indicates an addition or emphasis. Here, it suggests that the tongue's talking of righteousness is alongside other forms of praise already mentioned (e.g., singing in v. 23). It implies a comprehensive commitment, involving the entire being and every means of expression.
• shall talk: Hebrew "יֶהְגֶּה" (yeȟgeh) from the root hāgâ. This verb denotes more than simple speech; it carries meanings like meditate, mutter, muse, utter, or devise. It suggests a continuous, deeply pondered outpouring of words. It implies thoughtful, sustained discourse rather than a fleeting mention. This ongoing meditation overflows into speech.
• of thy righteousness: Hebrew "צִדְקָתֶךָ" (ṣiḏqāṯeḵā). This refers to God's ṣedeq, which encompasses His divine justice, His faithfulness to His covenant promises, His moral integrity, and especially His saving actions. It signifies His attribute by which He establishes order, defends the innocent, judges the wicked, and brings salvation to His people. It is God's vindicating, salvific act, not merely an abstract moral quality.
• all the day long: Hebrew "כָּל־הַיּוֹם" (kol-hayyôm). Expresses continuous, unbroken duration. It means "perpetually" or "without ceasing." This is not an occasional act of praise but a defining feature of the psalmist's life and public identity. It underscores complete devotion and constant mindfulness of God's acts.
• for: Hebrew "כִּי" (kî). This causal conjunction introduces the reason or explanation. The ongoing praise is a direct consequence of the specified outcome for the enemies. It links the psalmist's public declaration to God's just intervention.
• they are confounded: Hebrew "חָפְרֻוּ" (ḥāpĕrû) from ḥāpar. Means to be ashamed, disgraced, or put to confusion. It speaks of the humiliation and utter disappointment experienced by those whose plans or expectations have failed disastrously. Their efforts against the psalmist lead to their public disgrace.
• for they are brought unto shame: Hebrew "וַיֵּבֹשׁוּ" (wayyēḇōšû) from bôš. Similar to "confounded," but often with a nuance of public exposure and humiliation. The repetition of similar terms ("confounded" and "shame") is a Hebrew literary device (hendiadys or parallelism) used to intensify the idea of total disgrace and ignominy. It implies their evil intentions are revealed as futile and their attempts thwarted.
• that seek my hurt: Hebrew "מְבַקְשֵׁי רָעָתִי" (mĕḇaqšê rā‘āṯî). Literally, "those seeking my evil/harm." Refers to the enemies, persecutors, plotters, and slanderers who desired or actively pursued the psalmist's downfall, ruin, or destruction. It highlights their malicious intent.

Words-group analysis:

• "My tongue also shall talk... all the day long": This phrase expresses an unbreakable and lifelong commitment to constant vocal proclamation. It implies a public and consistent testimony that stems from deep personal conviction, not a fleeting impulse.
• "of thy righteousness... they are confounded... brought unto shame": This pairing explicitly connects God's active, salvific justice to the public defeat and humiliation of the enemies. The reason for praise is directly tied to God's specific actions of vindicating His servant and subverting the malicious intentions of the wicked. God's righteousness is manifested in justice and judgment against oppressors.

Psalm 71 24 Bonus section

The Hebrew term "righteousness" (ṣiḏqāṯeḵā) here holds significant theological depth beyond simple morality. It speaks to God's covenant fidelity—His commitment to His people, defending them against injustice and executing justice upon their oppressors. It implies not just what God is, but what God does to fulfill His promises and restore order. This Messianic Psalm's trajectory from intense personal suffering to a confident declaration of God's saving power finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ. Jesus, though experiencing "hurt" from enemies on the cross, was ultimately vindicated through His resurrection. Those who sought His ultimate harm, along with those who seek to harm His followers, will face divine confusion and shame when He returns. Thus, the continuous proclamation of God's righteousness, culminating in Christ, extends far beyond an individual's testimony to a collective, eschatological truth.

Psalm 71 24 Commentary

Psalm 71:24 climactically resolves the prayer with a resounding pledge of perpetual praise. The psalmist vows that his very tongue will be consumed with declaring God's active, saving righteousness without pause. This commitment is not arbitrary; it's a direct, joyful, and necessary response to God's promised or perceived triumph over the psalmist's adversaries. The complete defeat and public humiliation of "those who seek my hurt" (their being "confounded" and "brought to shame") serves as the undeniable proof and visible manifestation of God's justice. This verse powerfully encapsulates the ultimate confidence of the righteous in God's vindication, transforming anxiety into a profound, never-ending song of testimony. For instance, like a persecuted believer emerging from oppression to tell the world of God's deliverance, or one who has seen God’s intervention against slanderers and then tirelessly champions God’s faithfulness.