Psalm 71:15
My mouth will declare Your righteousness and Your salvation all day long, though I cannot know their full measure.
My mouth will declare Your righteousness
The psalmist begins with a personal commitment to proclaim God's righteousness. The Hebrew word for "declare" is "נָגַד" (nagad), which implies making something known or conspicuous. This suggests an active and intentional effort to speak of God's moral perfection and justice. In a historical context, the psalmist's declaration is a public testimony, akin to a herald announcing a king's decree. This reflects the believer's duty to share God's righteousness with others, emphasizing the importance of vocal witness in the life of faith.

and Your salvation all day long
The phrase "all day long" indicates a continuous, unceasing proclamation. The Hebrew word for "salvation" is "יְשׁוּעָה" (yeshu'ah), which encompasses deliverance, rescue, and safety. This term is rich with messianic implications, pointing to the ultimate salvation through Jesus Christ. Historically, salvation was a central theme in Israel's history, from the Exodus to the return from exile. The psalmist's commitment to speak of God's salvation continually underscores the believer's call to live in constant awareness and gratitude for God's saving acts.

though I cannot know their full measure
Here, the psalmist acknowledges human limitations in comprehending the full extent of God's righteousness and salvation. The Hebrew word "סָפַר" (saphar) means to count or recount, suggesting that God's deeds are beyond enumeration. This humility reflects a deep reverence for God's infinite nature. Scripturally, this echoes other biblical passages that speak of God's ways being higher than human ways (Isaiah 55:9). It serves as a reminder of the mystery and majesty of God, encouraging believers to trust in His wisdom and sovereignty even when they cannot fully understand His works.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Psalmist
The author of Psalm 71, traditionally attributed to David, who is expressing trust and reliance on God throughout his life.

2. God
The central figure in the Psalm, whose righteousness and salvation are being declared.

3. Righteousness and Salvation
Key themes in the Psalm, representing God's just nature and His deliverance of His people.
Teaching Points
Proclaiming God's Righteousness
As believers, we are called to declare God's righteousness and salvation continually. This involves sharing our testimonies and the gospel with others.

Acknowledging Our Limitations
Recognize that while we strive to understand God's ways, His righteousness and salvation are beyond full human comprehension. This should lead us to humility and worship.

Daily Commitment
The phrase "all day long" suggests a lifestyle of constant praise and acknowledgment of God's work in our lives. We should integrate this into our daily routines.

Trust in God's Salvation
Even when we do not fully understand God's plans, we can trust in His salvation, knowing it is perfect and complete.

Encouragement in Trials
In times of difficulty, recalling and declaring God's past faithfulness can provide strength and encouragement.
Bible Study Questions
1. How can you incorporate the practice of declaring God's righteousness and salvation into your daily life?

2. In what ways does acknowledging the immeasurable nature of God's righteousness and salvation impact your faith and trust in Him?

3. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's salvation in your life. How can sharing this testimony encourage others?

4. How do the additional scriptures connected to Psalm 71:15 deepen your understanding of God's incomprehensible nature?

5. What practical steps can you take to ensure that your focus remains on God's righteousness and salvation, especially during challenging times?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Psalm 40:5
This verse also speaks of the innumerable wonders and thoughts of God, emphasizing the psalmist's inability to fully comprehend God's works.

Isaiah 55:8-9
These verses highlight the idea that God's ways and thoughts are higher than ours, aligning with the psalmist's acknowledgment of the immeasurable nature of God's righteousness and salvation.

Romans 11:33
Paul echoes a similar sentiment about the depth of God's wisdom and knowledge, reinforcing the theme of God's incomprehensible nature.

Philippians 4:8
Encourages believers to focus on things that are true, noble, and praiseworthy, which aligns with the psalmist's commitment to declare God's righteousness.

1 Chronicles 16:23-24
Calls for the declaration of God's salvation and glory among the nations, similar to the psalmist's intent to proclaim God's deeds.
An Inexhaustible SubjectA. Maclaren, D. D.Psalm 71:15
Witnessing of God's Grace and SalvationA. Maclaren, D. D.Psalm 71:15
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
Acts, Clear, Declare, Deeds, Forth, Full, Measure, Measured, Mouth, Numbers, Past, Recounteth, Righteous, Righteousness, Salvation, Shew, Sum, Thereof, Though
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Psalm 71:15

     1125   God, righteousness
     5167   mouth
     8496   witnessing, importance

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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