Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 71:21

Thou shalt increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side.

21. O mayest thou increase my greatness,

And turn again and comfort me.

Except in the Book of Esther the word for greatness is used of God’s greatness or great deeds (Psa 145:3; Psa 145:6); and the LXX reads thy righteousness, or, according to some MSS. and the Vulg., thy greatness. This may be right; but if the text is correct, the Psalmist thinks of himself as sharing in the honour of the resuscitated nation. He can hardly refer to personal dignity only. For comfort cp. Isa 12:1; Isa 40:1. The past tenses of the P.B.V. in this and the preceding verse are due to the influence of the Vulg.

Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

21 24. Repeated prayers and vows of thanksgiving.

Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

Thou shalt increase my greatness – Thou wilt not merely restore me to my former condition, but wilt enlarge my happiness, and wilt do still greater things for me.

And comfort me on every side – literally, Thou wilt turn thyself; thou wilt comfort me. The word also means to surround; to encompass Gen 2:11, Gen 2:13; 1Ki 7:24; Psa 18:5; and the idea here may be that God would go around him, or encircle him, and would thus comfort him. This idea is expressed in our common version. It was the confident assurance of entire, or complete consolation.

Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible

Psa 71:21

Thou shalt increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side.

Christian dignity

The world has its great men; so has the Bible. Alongside the monarch, the Bible puts the man who rules his own spirit well; the warrior, one who fights the fight of faith; the artist, one who by loving deeds paints his own portrait on the canvas of the soul of the suffering.

I. This greatness is Real. Consider what God calls the good man–a saint, a son, a joint heir with Christ.

II. This greatness is conscious. God has spoken; I have heard. He has given; I have received. He visited the land I lived in, and did not pass my door. In His mighty lifeboat He touched at the shore where I stood, gave me a hail, and welcomed me on board!

III. This greatness is Derived. Once I had it not. The remembrance of this shall ever keep me humble. Not unto us, etc. But though I once possessed them not, now I do.

IV. This greatness is Increasing, David was an old man, yet he could say soberly and acceptably, Thou shalt increase my greatness.

1. In my personal enjoyment. Religion is not a surface thing. Infirmities shall lessen, virtues shall increase, Thy love shall be more precious, Thy presence more valued. Thou wilt not forsake the work of Thine own hands.

2. In the experience of the saints. Davids name is great to-day! And in every well-worn Bible may be seen the signs of his sympathy and power.

3. In the admiration of angels. What sympathizing, appreciating, ministering spectators are these! (Homilist.)

Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell

Verse 21. Thou shalt increase my greatness] Thou wilt restore me to my throne and kingdom; and it shall be done in such a way that all shall see it was the hand of God; and I shall have the more honour on the account.

Comfort me on every side.] I shall have friends in all quarters; and the tribes on all sides will support me.

Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible

I am assured that thou wilt not only restore to me that royal majesty which my son hath invaded, but also increase my honour and power.

Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole

21. increase, c.that is, thegreat things done for me (Ps 71:19compare Ps 40:5).

Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

Thou shalt increase my greatness,…. His temporal greatness, as he did, by crushing the rebellion of his son; returning him to his palace and family; and giving him rest from his enemies all around: and his spiritual greatness, by favouring him with his presence; by shedding abroad his love in his heart; by enlarging his experience; increasing his faith, causing his love to abound, and him to grow in every grace, and in the knowledge of Christ;

and comfort me on every side; by his Spirit, word, and ordinances; by his truths and promises; with his rod and staff; and with mercy, grace, and lovingkindness. The phrase denotes the abundance of comfort, which should come as it were from every quarter, and encompass him about.

Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible

(21) Comfort me on every side.Literally, either thou wilt compass with comfort, or wilt turn with comfort. The LXX. adopts the latter.

Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)

21. Thou shalt increase my greatness As in the case of Job 42:10; Job 42:12. So gloriously shall God reverse my suffering lot.

On every side Hebrew, Thou wilt surround, thou wilt comfort me.

Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments