Psalm 71:24
My tongue will indeed proclaim Your righteousness all day long, for those who seek my harm are disgraced and confounded.
My tongue will indeed proclaim
The phrase begins with a declaration of intent and action. The Hebrew root for "proclaim" is "נָגַד" (nagad), which means to announce or declare. This word is often used in the context of making known God's deeds or attributes. The psalmist is committed to using his speech to testify to God's greatness. Historically, the act of proclaiming was not just a personal declaration but a communal one, often done in the assembly of believers. This reflects the importance of verbal testimony in the faith community, emphasizing the power of spoken words to edify and encourage others.

Your righteousness
The term "righteousness" in Hebrew is "צְדָקָה" (tsedaqah), which encompasses justice, rightness, and moral virtue. In the biblical context, God's righteousness is His faithfulness to His covenant and His moral perfection. The psalmist acknowledges that God's righteousness is worthy of proclamation because it is the foundation of His dealings with humanity. This righteousness is not just a legalistic adherence to rules but a relational fidelity that God maintains with His people. It is a source of hope and assurance for believers, knowing that God is just and true in all His ways.

all day long
This phrase signifies the psalmist's continual and unceasing commitment to praise. The Hebrew concept of time here is not just about the literal hours of the day but signifies a lifestyle of constant worship and acknowledgment of God. It reflects the idea that God's righteousness is so profound and encompassing that it deserves continuous recognition. This perpetual praise is a response to the ongoing experience of God's presence and action in the believer's life.

for those who seek my harm
The psalmist acknowledges the presence of adversaries, which is a common theme in the Psalms. The Hebrew word for "harm" is "רָע" (ra), meaning evil or trouble. This recognition of enemies serves to highlight the contrast between the psalmist's trust in God's righteousness and the malice of those who oppose him. Historically, the people of Israel often faced physical and spiritual adversaries, and the psalmist's words resonate with anyone who has experienced opposition for their faith.

will be put to shame and confounded
The phrase "put to shame" comes from the Hebrew "בּוֹשׁ" (bosh), which means to be ashamed or disappointed. "Confounded" is from "חָפֵר" (chapher), meaning to be disgraced or humiliated. The psalmist expresses confidence that God will ultimately vindicate him by turning the plans of his enemies into failure. This assurance is rooted in the biblical principle that God defends the righteous and brings justice to those who oppose His people. It is a reminder of the ultimate triumph of good over evil and the protection that God provides to those who trust in Him.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Psalmist
Traditionally attributed to David, the psalmist is a figure who seeks God's protection and deliverance from adversaries. He is a model of faith and reliance on God.

2. Adversaries
Those who seek the harm of the psalmist, representing the forces of evil or opposition that believers may face in their lives.

3. God
The central figure in the psalm, representing righteousness, protection, and deliverance for those who trust in Him.

4. Proclamation of Righteousness
The act of declaring God's righteousness, which is a key theme in the psalm and reflects the psalmist's commitment to praise God continually.

5. Disgrace and Confounding of Enemies
The outcome for those who oppose the psalmist, illustrating God's justice and the ultimate triumph of righteousness.
Teaching Points
Proclaiming God's Righteousness
Believers are called to continually speak of God's righteousness, not just in times of ease but especially in times of trial. This proclamation is a testimony to God's faithfulness and justice.

Trust in God's Deliverance
Just as the psalmist trusted God to deal with his adversaries, believers today can have confidence that God will protect and vindicate them in His perfect timing.

The Power of Praise
Praise is a powerful weapon against discouragement and fear. By focusing on God's righteousness and faithfulness, believers can find strength and encouragement.

God's Justice Prevails
The disgrace and confounding of enemies serve as a reminder that God's justice will ultimately prevail. Believers can rest assured that God sees and will act on their behalf.

Living a Life of Testimony
Our lives should be a continuous testimony of God's righteousness. This involves both our words and actions, reflecting God's character to those around us.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the psalmist's commitment to proclaim God's righteousness challenge you in your daily life?

2. In what ways have you experienced God's deliverance from adversaries or difficult situations?

3. How can you incorporate more praise into your daily routine, especially during challenging times?

4. Reflect on a time when you saw God's justice prevail in your life or the life of someone you know. How did it strengthen your faith?

5. How can you ensure that your life is a testimony of God's righteousness to those around you? What practical steps can you take to live this out?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Psalm 35:28
This verse also speaks of the psalmist's commitment to proclaim God's righteousness, emphasizing the importance of vocal praise and testimony.

Isaiah 54:17
This passage highlights the protection and vindication God provides to His servants, similar to the disgrace and confounding of enemies mentioned in Psalm 71:24.

Romans 8:31
This New Testament verse echoes the theme of God's protection against adversaries, reinforcing the idea that if God is for us, no one can stand against us.
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
The Praises of a Hebrew SaintW. Scott Page.Psalm 71:22-24
People
Psalmist, Solomon
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
72, Acts, Ashamed, Confounded, Confusion, Crushed, Disappointed, Disgraced, Evil, Harm, Humiliated, Hurt, Psalm, Purpose, Righteous, Righteousness, Seek, Seeking, Shame, Solomon, Sought, Talk, Talking, Tongue, Utter, Uttereth, Wanted
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Psalm 71:24

     1125   God, righteousness
     5193   tongue
     5815   confusion

Psalm 71:22-24

     7960   singing

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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