◄ Psalm 71:19 ►
Your righteousness reaches to the heavens, O God, You who have done great things. Who, O God, is like You?
Study Bible
Your righteousness reaches to the heavens
This phrase emphasizes the boundless and infinite nature of God's righteousness. In biblical terms, "righteousness" often refers to God's moral perfection and justice. The imagery of reaching "to the heavens" suggests an immeasurable and transcendent quality, echoing other scriptures such as Psalm 36:5, which speaks of God's faithfulness reaching to the skies. This expression underscores the idea that God's righteousness is beyond human comprehension and is a central theme throughout the Psalms, highlighting His divine nature and the moral order He upholds.

O God, You who have done great things
This acknowledges God's mighty acts and interventions in history. The phrase "great things" can refer to both creation and the numerous acts of deliverance and miracles performed by God for His people, such as the Exodus from Egypt. It reflects a common biblical theme of remembering and celebrating God's past deeds as a foundation for faith and trust in His continued faithfulness. This is seen in other passages like Deuteronomy 10:21, which calls God the one who has done "great and awesome things."

Who, O God, is like You?
This rhetorical question highlights the uniqueness and incomparability of God. It is a common biblical motif, found in passages like Exodus 15:11, which asks, "Who among the gods is like you, LORD?" This underscores the monotheistic belief central to the faith, affirming that no other being possesses the attributes, power, or holiness of the God of Israel. It also points to the exclusivity of worship due to God alone, as seen in the first commandment. This phrase invites reflection on the nature of God as the ultimate being, unmatched in His attributes and deeds.

Persons / Places / Events
1. God
The central figure in this verse, God is praised for His unparalleled righteousness and mighty deeds. The psalmist acknowledges God's supreme nature and His acts of salvation and deliverance.

2. The Psalmist
Traditionally attributed to David, the psalmist is expressing a deep trust and reverence for God, reflecting on His righteousness and incomparable nature.

3. Heavens
Symbolic of the vastness and majesty of God's righteousness, the heavens represent the infinite reach and impact of God's moral perfection and divine acts.
Teaching Points
God's Righteousness is Infinite
The psalmist uses the imagery of the heavens to convey the boundless nature of God's righteousness. As believers, we can find comfort in knowing that God's moral perfection is beyond human comprehension and is always at work in our lives.

God's Uniqueness
The rhetorical question "Who, O God, is like You?" invites us to reflect on the uniqueness of God. In a world filled with distractions and false idols, we are reminded to focus our worship and trust solely on the one true God.

Remembering God's Great Deeds
The psalmist recalls the "great things" God has done, encouraging us to remember and recount God's faithfulness in our own lives. This practice strengthens our faith and trust in His continued provision and guidance.

A Call to Worship
This verse is a call to worship, inviting us to praise God for His righteousness and mighty acts. Worship is a response to recognizing God's greatness and should be a central part of our daily lives.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the imagery of God's righteousness reaching to the heavens impact your understanding of His nature?

2. In what ways can you recount the "great things" God has done in your life, and how does this strengthen your faith?

3. How does recognizing God's uniqueness influence your daily worship and relationship with Him?

4. What are some practical ways you can remind yourself of God's righteousness and faithfulness throughout your day?

5. How can you use this verse to encourage others who may be struggling to see God's hand in their lives?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Psalm 36:5-6
This passage also speaks of God's righteousness reaching to the heavens, emphasizing His faithfulness and justice.

Isaiah 40:18
This verse asks a similar rhetorical question about God's uniqueness, reinforcing the idea that no one is like God.

Romans 11:33-36
Paul reflects on the depth of God's wisdom and knowledge, echoing the psalmist's awe at God's greatness and righteousness.
Sermons
A Picture of a Pious Old ManHomilistPsalm 71:1-24
Godly Old AgeW. Forsyth Psalm 71:1-24
The Vow of FaithR. C. Ford, M. A.Psalm 71:1-24
Persistent Hope and Increasing PraiseC. Short Psalm 71:14-24
People
Psalmist, Solomon
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Hast, Heaven, Heavens, Heights, O, Reach, Reaches, Reacheth, Righteousness, Skies
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Psalm 71:19

     1060   God, greatness of
     1125   God, righteousness
     4272   sky

Library
December 22. "My Tongue Also Shall Talk of Thy Righteousness all the Day Long" (Ps. Lxxi. 24).
"My tongue also shall talk of Thy righteousness all the day long" (Ps. lxxi. 24). It is a simple law of nature, that air always comes in to fill a vacuum. You can produce a draught at any time, by heating the air until it ascends, and then the cold air rushes in to supply its place. And so we can always be filled with the Holy Spirit by providing a vacuum. This breath is dependent upon exhausting the previous breath before you can inhale a fresh one. And so we must empty our hearts of the last breath …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

More and More
David had not been slack in praise: indeed, he was a sweet singer in Israel, a very choir-master unto the Lord yet he vowed to praise him more and more. Those who do much already, are usually the people who can do more. He was old. Would he praise God more when he was infirm than he had done when he was young and vigorous? If he could not excel with loudness of voice, yet would he with eagerness of heart; and what his praise might lack in sound, it should gain in solemn earnestness. He was in trouble …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 17: 1871

Of Four Things which Bring Great Peace
"My Son, now will I teach thee the way of peace and of true liberty." 2. Do, O my Lord, as Thou sayest, for this is pleasing unto me to hear. 3. "Strive, My Son, to do another's will rather than thine own. Choose always to have less rather than more. Seek always after the lowest place, and to be subject to all. Wish always and pray that the will of God be fulfilled in thee. Behold, such a man as this entereth into the inheritance of peace and quietness." 4. O my Lord, this Thy short discourse …
Thomas A Kempis—Imitation of Christ

Of the Day of Eternity and of the Straitnesses of this Life
Oh most blessed mansion of the City which is above! Oh most clear day of eternity which the night obscureth not, but the Supreme Truth ever enlighteneth! Day always joyful, always secure and never changing its state into those which are contrary. Oh would that this day might shine forth, and that all these temporal things would come to an end. It shineth indeed upon the Saints, glowing with unending brightness, but only from afar and through a glass, upon those who are pilgrims on the earth. …
Thomas A Kempis—Imitation of Christ

For Old Age. --Ps. Lxxi.
For Old Age.--Ps. lxxi. Lord, I have put my trust in Thee, Turn not my confidence to shame; Thy promise is a rock to me, A tower of refuge is Thy name. Thou hast upheld me from the womb; Thou wert my strength and hope in youth; Now trembling, bending o'er the tomb, I lean upon Thine arm of truth. Though I have long outlived my peers, And stand amid the world alone, (A stranger left by former years), I know my God,--by Him am known. Cast me not off in mine old age, Forsake me not in my last hour; …
James Montgomery—Sacred Poems and Hymns

They all Hold Swords, Being Expert in War; Every Man Hath his Sword Upon his Thigh Because of Fear in the Night.
They all hold swords to engage in combat with the soul which, by a secret presumption, attributes to self what belongs to God only; and this causes them to exclaim with united voice; Who is like unto God? The Divine Righteousness is the first that comes to fight with and destroy the self-righteousness of the creature, and then comes strength to bring to naught the power of man, and causing him to enter by experience of his own infinite weakness into the strength of the Lord (Psalm lxxi. 16), teaches …
Madame Guyon—Song of Songs of Solomon

Letter Xlv (Circa A. D. 1140) to the Canons of Lyons, on the Conception of S. Mary.
To the Canons of Lyons, on the Conception of S. Mary. Bernard states that the Festival of the Conception was new; that it rested on no legitimate foundation; and that it should not have been instituted without consulting the Apostolic See, to whose opinion he submits. 1. It is well known that among all the Churches of France that of Lyons is first in importance, whether we regard the dignity of its See, its praiseworthy regulations, or its honourable zeal for learning. Where was there ever the vigour …
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux

The Baptismal Covenant Can be Kept Unbroken. Aim and Responsibility of Parents.
We have gone "to the Law and to the Testimony" to find out what the nature and benefits of Baptism are. We have gathered out of the Word all the principal passages bearing on this subject. We have grouped them together, and studied them side by side. We have noticed that their sense is uniform, clear, and strong. Unless we are willing to throw aside all sound principles of interpretation, we can extract from the words of inspiration only one meaning, and that is that the baptized child is, by virtue …
G. H. Gerberding—The Way of Salvation in the Lutheran Church

But Concerning True Patience, Worthy of the Name of this virtue...
12. But concerning true patience, worthy of the name of this virtue, whence it is to be had, must now be inquired. For there are some [2650] who attribute it to the strength of the human will, not which it hath by Divine assistance, but which it hath of free-will. Now this error is a proud one: for it is the error of them which abound, of whom it is said in the Psalm, "A scornful reproof to them which abound, and a despising to the proud." [2651] It is not therefore that "patience of the poor" which …
St. Augustine—On Patience

The Christian's Hope
Scripture references: 1 Timothy 1:1; Colossians 1:27; Psalm 130:5; 43:5; Proverbs 10:8; Acts 24:15; Psalm 71:5; Romans 5:1-5; 12:12; 15:4; 1 Corinthians 9:10; Galatians 5:5; Ephesians 1:18; Philippians 1:20; Colossians 1:5; 1 Thessalonians 1:3; 2:19; Titus 1:2; 2:13; 3:7; Psalm 31:24; 71:14,15. HOPE IN THE PRESENT LIFE That which a man ardently hopes for he strives to realize. If he desires fame, office or wealth he will seek to set forces in motion, here and now, which will bring him that which …
Henry T. Sell—Studies in the Life of the Christian

Let Thus Much have Been Said with Regard to Charity...
20. Let thus much have been said with regard to charity, without which in us there cannot be true patience, because in good men it is the love of God which endureth all things, as in bad men the lust of the world. But this love is in us by the Holy Spirit which was given us. Whence, of Whom cometh in us love, of Him cometh patience. But the lust of the world, when it patiently bears the burdens of any manner of calamity, boasts of the strength of its own will, like as of the stupor of disease, not …
St. Augustine—On Patience

Psalms
The piety of the Old Testament Church is reflected with more clearness and variety in the Psalter than in any other book of the Old Testament. It constitutes the response of the Church to the divine demands of prophecy, and, in a less degree, of law; or, rather, it expresses those emotions and aspirations of the universal heart which lie deeper than any formal demand. It is the speech of the soul face to face with God. Its words are as simple and unaffected as human words can be, for it is the genius …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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