◄ Psalm 71:21 ►
You will increase my honor and comfort me once again.
Study Bible
You will increase my honor
This phrase speaks to the divine promise of elevation and recognition. The Hebrew root for "increase" is "rabah," which conveys the idea of multiplication and abundance. In the context of the psalm, it reflects God's ability to expand one's influence and reputation beyond human limitations. Historically, honor was a significant aspect of ancient Near Eastern culture, often associated with one's social standing and divine favor. The psalmist acknowledges that true honor comes from God, who elevates His faithful servants in His perfect timing.

and comfort me once again
The word "comfort" is derived from the Hebrew "nacham," which means to console or to bring relief. This part of the verse highlights God's role as a source of solace and reassurance. The psalmist is confident in God's ability to provide comfort repeatedly, indicating a relationship built on trust and past experiences of divine intervention. In the broader scriptural context, God's comfort is a recurring theme, emphasizing His compassion and mercy towards His people. The phrase "once again" suggests a cycle of trials and divine comfort, reinforcing the idea that God's presence is a constant source of strength and encouragement throughout life's challenges.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Psalmist
Traditionally attributed to David, the psalmist is an individual seeking God's deliverance and expressing trust in God's faithfulness throughout life.

2. God
The central figure in the psalm, God is portrayed as the source of strength, honor, and comfort for the believer.

3. Enemies
Though not directly mentioned in this verse, the context of the psalm includes adversaries who threaten the psalmist, highlighting the need for divine intervention and comfort.
Teaching Points
God as the Source of Honor
True honor comes from God, not from human achievements or recognition. Believers should seek to live lives that honor God, trusting Him to elevate them in His timing.

Divine Comfort in Trials
God is a constant source of comfort, especially during times of trouble. Believers can find solace in His presence and promises, knowing He is faithful to restore and comfort them.

The Role of Faith and Patience
The psalmist's confidence in God's future action is rooted in faith. Believers are encouraged to patiently wait on the Lord, trusting in His perfect plan and timing.

The Importance of Testimony
Sharing personal experiences of God's comfort and honor can encourage others in their faith journey. Believers are called to testify to God's goodness and faithfulness.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the promise of God increasing honor and providing comfort impact your understanding of your current circumstances?

2. In what ways can you actively seek God's comfort during times of distress, and how can this be reflected in your prayer life?

3. How does the concept of God as the source of honor challenge societal views on success and recognition?

4. Can you identify a time when God has comforted you in the past? How can this testimony be used to encourage others?

5. How do the themes of honor and comfort in Psalm 71:21 connect with the teachings of Jesus in the New Testament?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Isaiah 40:31
This verse speaks of those who hope in the Lord renewing their strength, which parallels the theme of God increasing honor and providing comfort.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Paul describes God as the "Father of compassion and the God of all comfort," which aligns with the psalmist's experience of divine comfort.

James 4:10
This verse encourages believers to humble themselves before the Lord, who will lift them up, echoing the theme of God increasing honor.
Sermons
Christian DignityHomilistPsalm 71:21
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
Comfort, Comfortest, Greater, Greatness, Honor, Increase, Surroundest, Turn, Wilt
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Psalm 71:20-21

     5805   comfort

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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