Psalm 71:14
But I will always hope and will praise You more and more.
But I will always hope
The psalmist begins with a declaration of unwavering hope. The Hebrew word for "hope" here is "yachal," which conveys a sense of waiting with expectation and trust. This is not a passive hope but an active, living hope that is rooted in faith. In the context of the psalm, this hope is directed towards God, reflecting a deep trust in His character and promises. Historically, the Israelites often found themselves in situations that required them to hope in God's deliverance, whether in times of exile or oppression. This hope is a cornerstone of the believer's life, encouraging us to look beyond present circumstances to the faithfulness of God.

and will praise You
The act of praising God is a central theme throughout the Psalms. The Hebrew word "halal" is used here, which means to boast or to celebrate. This is not just a verbal acknowledgment but an expression of the heart's overflow of gratitude and reverence. Praise is both a response to God's past faithfulness and an anticipation of His future acts. In the historical context, praise was often expressed through song and music, forming a vital part of Israel's worship. For the believer, praise is a powerful tool that shifts focus from the temporal to the eternal, reinforcing faith and hope.

more and more
The phrase "more and more" suggests an increasing, progressive action. The Hebrew root "yasaph" implies adding or continuing to do something. This reflects the psalmist's commitment to not only maintain but to grow in his expression of hope and praise. It speaks to the dynamic nature of a relationship with God, where one's faith and worship are continually deepening. In the life of a believer, this can be seen as a call to spiritual growth and maturity, where one's capacity to hope and praise expands with each experience of God's grace and mercy. Historically, this reflects the journey of faith that the people of God have always been on, moving from glory to glory as they walk with Him.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Psalmist
The author of Psalm 71 is traditionally believed to be David, though the psalm itself does not specify. The psalmist is an individual who is experiencing distress and is seeking refuge in God.

2. God
The central figure to whom the psalmist directs his hope and praise. God is portrayed as a refuge and source of strength.

3. Enemies
Though not directly mentioned in this verse, the context of the psalm includes adversaries who threaten the psalmist, prompting his reliance on God.

4. Zion
While not explicitly mentioned in this verse, Zion often represents the place of God's dwelling and the center of worship, which is relevant to the theme of praise.

5. Old Age
The psalmist refers to his old age in the broader context of the psalm, emphasizing a lifetime of reliance on God.
Teaching Points
The Nature of Hope
Hope in God is not passive but active, requiring a continual choice to trust in His promises despite circumstances.

The Power of Praise
Praise is a powerful response to adversity. It shifts focus from problems to God's sovereignty and faithfulness.

Perseverance in Faith
The psalmist's commitment to hope and praise "more and more" suggests growth in faith and reliance on God over time.

Aging with Grace
The psalmist's reference to old age in the broader context encourages believers to continue growing in faith and reliance on God throughout their lives.

Witness through Worship
Consistent praise and hope serve as a testimony to others of God's faithfulness and the believer's trust in Him.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the psalmist's commitment to hope and praise challenge your current response to difficult situations?

2. In what ways can you incorporate more praise into your daily routine, especially during times of trouble?

3. How does the concept of hope in Psalm 71:14 compare to the hope described in Romans 5:3-5?

4. What are some practical ways to maintain hope and praise as you grow older, according to the broader context of Psalm 71?

5. How can your personal testimony of hope and praise influence those around you, and what steps can you take to share this with others?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Psalm 42:5
This verse also speaks of hope in God amidst despair, reinforcing the theme of maintaining hope and praise despite circumstances.

Romans 5:3-5
Paul discusses rejoicing in sufferings because suffering produces perseverance, character, and hope, which aligns with the psalmist's commitment to hope and praise.

Hebrews 13:15
Encourages believers to continually offer a sacrifice of praise to God, which complements the psalmist's resolve to praise God more and more.
More and MorePsalm 71:14
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
Add, Added, Always, Continually, Hope, Hoping, Increasing, Praise, Wait, Yet
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Psalm 71:14

     9612   hope, in God

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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