The singer glances both backward and forward. He goes back in thought to the time when he was cast on God at birth, and acknowledges that God has taught him from his youth and has enabled him to declare God's wondrous works. We may make the same retrospect, and as we muse on all that God has been to us, we may be assured that He will not forsake the work of His own hands, Psalms 138:8. His deliverances will give cause for endless praise, even when our eyes are closing and the heart waxes feeble in death.
But let us also think of those who are following us, and see to it that we leave behind some record of God's righteousness and salvation. Let us place a flaming torch in the hands of our children for them in turn to pass on. Let us show God's strength and power to those who are to come.
The best occupation for the aged is praise, Psalms 71:8; Psalms 71:14; Psalms 71:22-23. Thy mouth shall be filled"¦ shall tell"¦ shall talk. When our hearts are bubbling over with good matter, Psalms 45:1, we can leave our speech to take care of itself. Love will not lack for means of expression. [source]
Chapter Summary: Psalms 71
1David, in confidence of faith, and experience of God's favor, prays both for himself, 10and against the enemies of his soul 14He promises constancy 17He prays for perseverance 19He praises God, and promises to do it cheerfully
What do the individual words in Psalms 71:21 mean?
You shall increasemy greatnessand on every sidecomfort me
Parse: Verb, Hifil, Imperfect Jussive, second person masculine singular
Root: הַרְבָּה
Sense: be or become great, be or become many, be or become much, be or become numerous.
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Conjunctive imperfect, second person masculine singular
Root: סָבַב
Sense: to turn, turn about or around or aside or back or towards, go about or arou nd, surround, encircle, change direction.
Parse: Verb, Piel, Imperfect, second person masculine singular, first person common singular
Root: נָחַם
Sense: to be sorry, console oneself, repent, regret, comfort, be comforted.
What are the major concepts related to Psalms 71:21?