What does Psalms 71:21 mean?

"Thou shalt increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side." - Psalms 71:21

"Thou shalt increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side." - Psalms 71:21

Psalms 71:21 (KJV) states, "Thou shalt increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side."

This verse is a powerful declaration of faith in God's ability to elevate and comfort the speaker in all areas of their life. It is a request for God to increase their greatness and provide them with comfort from all sides. In order to fully understand the meaning and significance of this verse, it is important to consider the broader context of the book of Psalms and the specific historical and cultural background in which it was written.

The book of Psalms is a collection of 150 poetic and musical compositions attributed to King David and other writers. These psalms cover a wide range of themes, including praise, thanksgiving, lament, and petition. They were used in worship and were intended to express the full range of human emotions and experiences in relation to God. Psalm 71 in particular is a prayer for deliverance and protection in the face of enemies and adversity. The speaker in this psalm seeks refuge in God and expresses confidence in His ability to sustain and rescue them.

The verse "Thou shalt increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side" reflects a deep trust in God's ability to bring about positive change and provide solace in times of trouble. The speaker acknowledges God as the source of their strength and as the one who can amplify their influence and position. This demonstrates a belief in God's sovereignty and His ability to elevate and empower His people.

The concept of greatness in this verse can be understood in multiple ways. It could refer to physical, material, or spiritual prosperity. In a worldly sense, greatness may involve success, wealth, or power. From a spiritual perspective, greatness could denote wisdom, virtue, and influence in spreading God's word and doing His will. The speaker is asking God to increase their greatness, indicating a desire for growth and advancement in various aspects of life.

The second part of the verse, "and comfort me on every side," highlights the speaker's plea for God's all-encompassing comfort and protection. The imagery of being comforted on every side suggests a complete and thorough embrace of God's care and support. This is a request for God to be present in every area of the speaker's life, providing reassurance and peace amid challenges and uncertainties.

The symbolic language used in this verse conveys a sense of divine intervention and guidance. The idea of God increasing the speaker's greatness suggests a transformative and uplifting force at work. It implies a shift from a position of limitation or stagnation to one of expansion and advancement. Additionally, the promise of being comforted on every side signifies a comprehensive and unwavering presence of God's love and protection.

Overall, Psalm 71:21 is a profound declaration of faith and reliance on God's ability to elevate, comfort, and sustain His people. It encapsulates the timeless human longing for growth, security, and spiritual fulfillment. This verse serves as a source of encouragement and hope for believers, reminding them of God's faithfulness and His capacity to bring about positive change in their lives. It encourages trust in God's providence and His ability to bring comfort and increase greatness in every aspect of life.

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Psalms 71:21 Artwork

Psalms 71:21 - "Thou shalt increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side."

Psalms 71:21 - "Thou shalt increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side."

"Thou shalt increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side." - Psalms 71:21

"Thou shalt increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side." - Psalms 71:21

Psalms 71:14 - "But I will hope continually, and will yet praise thee more and more."

Psalms 71:14 - "But I will hope continually, and will yet praise thee more and more."

Psalms 71:8 - "Let my mouth be filled with thy praise and with thy honour all the day."

Psalms 71:8 - "Let my mouth be filled with thy praise and with thy honour all the day."

Psalms 71:7 - "I am as a wonder unto many; but thou art my strong refuge."

Psalms 71:7 - "I am as a wonder unto many; but thou art my strong refuge."

Psalms 71:11 - "Saying, God hath forsaken him: persecute and take him; for there is none to deliver him."

Psalms 71:11 - "Saying, God hath forsaken him: persecute and take him; for there is none to deliver him."

Psalms 119:71 - "It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes."

Psalms 119:71 - "It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes."

Psalms 71:9 - "Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength faileth."

Psalms 71:9 - "Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength faileth."

Psalms 71:12 - "O God, be not far from me: O my God, make haste for my help."

Psalms 71:12 - "O God, be not far from me: O my God, make haste for my help."

Psalms 71:10 - "For mine enemies speak against me; and they that lay wait for my soul take counsel together,"

Psalms 71:10 - "For mine enemies speak against me; and they that lay wait for my soul take counsel together,"

Psalms 71:1 - "In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion."

Psalms 71:1 - "In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion."

"O God, be not far from me: O my God, make haste for my help." - Psalms 71:12

"O God, be not far from me: O my God, make haste for my help." - Psalms 71:12

Psalms 71:16 - "I will go in the strength of the Lord GOD: I will make mention of thy righteousness, even of thine only."

Psalms 71:16 - "I will go in the strength of the Lord GOD: I will make mention of thy righteousness, even of thine only."

Psalms 71:4 - "Deliver me, O my God, out of the hand of the wicked, out of the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man."

Psalms 71:4 - "Deliver me, O my God, out of the hand of the wicked, out of the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man."

Psalms 71:5 - "For thou art my hope, O Lord GOD: thou art my trust from my youth."

Psalms 71:5 - "For thou art my hope, O Lord GOD: thou art my trust from my youth."

Psalms 71:2 - "Deliver me in thy righteousness, and cause me to escape: incline thine ear unto me, and save me."

Psalms 71:2 - "Deliver me in thy righteousness, and cause me to escape: incline thine ear unto me, and save me."

Psalms 71:13 - "Let them be confounded and consumed that are adversaries to my soul; let them be covered with reproach and dishonour that seek my hurt."

Psalms 71:13 - "Let them be confounded and consumed that are adversaries to my soul; let them be covered with reproach and dishonour that seek my hurt."

Psalms 78:71 - "From following the ewes great with young he brought him to feed Jacob his people, and Israel his inheritance."

Psalms 78:71 - "From following the ewes great with young he brought him to feed Jacob his people, and Israel his inheritance."

"Deliver me, O my God, out of the hand of the wicked, out of the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man." - Psalms 71:4

"Deliver me, O my God, out of the hand of the wicked, out of the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man." - Psalms 71:4

Psalms 71:15 - "My mouth shall shew forth thy righteousness and thy salvation all the day; for I know not the numbers thereof."

Psalms 71:15 - "My mouth shall shew forth thy righteousness and thy salvation all the day; for I know not the numbers thereof."

Psalms 71:17 - "O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works."

Psalms 71:17 - "O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works."

Psalms 71:23 - "My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing unto thee; and my soul, which thou hast redeemed."

Psalms 71:23 - "My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing unto thee; and my soul, which thou hast redeemed."

Psalms 71:24 - "My tongue also shall talk of thy righteousness all the day long: for they are confounded, for they are brought unto shame, that seek my hurt."

Psalms 71:24 - "My tongue also shall talk of thy righteousness all the day long: for they are confounded, for they are brought unto shame, that seek my hurt."

"But I will hope continually, and will yet praise thee more and more." - Psalms 71:14

"But I will hope continually, and will yet praise thee more and more." - Psalms 71:14

"Deliver me in thy righteousness, and cause me to escape: incline thine ear unto me, and save me." - Psalms 71:2

"Deliver me in thy righteousness, and cause me to escape: incline thine ear unto me, and save me." - Psalms 71:2

Psalms 71:19 - "Thy righteousness also, O God, is very high, who hast done great things: O God, who is like unto thee!"

Psalms 71:19 - "Thy righteousness also, O God, is very high, who hast done great things: O God, who is like unto thee!"

"But I will hope continually, and will yet praise thee more and more." - Psalms 71:14

"But I will hope continually, and will yet praise thee more and more." - Psalms 71:14

"From following the ewes great with young he brought him to feed Jacob his people, and Israel his inheritance." - Psalms 78:71

"From following the ewes great with young he brought him to feed Jacob his people, and Israel his inheritance." - Psalms 78:71

Psalms 71:20 - "Thou, which hast shewed me great and sore troubles, shalt quicken me again, and shalt bring me up again from the depths of the earth."

Psalms 71:20 - "Thou, which hast shewed me great and sore troubles, shalt quicken me again, and shalt bring me up again from the depths of the earth."

"I will also praise thee with the psaltery, even thy truth, O my God: unto thee will I sing with the harp, O thou Holy One of Israel." - Psalms 71:22

"I will also praise thee with the psaltery, even thy truth, O my God: unto thee will I sing with the harp, O thou Holy One of Israel." - Psalms 71:22