Bible Strands
Psalms 71:21
You will increase my honor and comfort me once again.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The psalmist addresses God directly following a confession of past troubles and a plea for revival from the depths. This declaration occurs at the pivot point between requesting restoration and preparing to offer praise.
The words — תֶּרֶב (Te.rev) carries the literal sense of "may you increase," while גְּדֻלָּתִי (ge.du.la.T/i) denotes "my greatness." The adjacent verb וְתִסּוֹב (ve./ti.So) means "and may you turn," framing the subsequent request for comfort.
The thread — The motif of divine elevation and restoration appears in 2 Samuel 3:1 where David grows stronger, Psalm 18:35 where God's gentleness exalts, and Psalm 86:17 where the Lord helps and comforts. These passages share the pattern of God reversing human decline into renewed standing.
Why it lands — The text states that God will increase the speaker's honor and provide comfort after deep distress. It requires the reader to acknowledge that restoration follows affliction and to respond with the praise outlined in the immediate context.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Thou shalt increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side.
Cross-references
- 2 Samuel 3:1 Now the war between the house of Saul and the house of David was protracted. And David grew stronger and stronger, while the house of Saul grew weaker and weaker.
- Psalms 18:35 You have given me Your shield of salvation; Your right hand upholds me, and Your gentleness exalts me.
- Psalms 86:17 Show me a sign of Your goodness, that my enemies may see and be ashamed; for You, O LORD, have helped me and comforted me.
- Isaiah 12:1 In that day you will say: “O LORD, I will praise You. Although You were angry with me, Your anger has turned away, and You have comforted me.
- 2 Corinthians 1:4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.
- Psalms 32:10 Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but loving devotion surrounds him who trusts in the LORD.
- Psalms 23:4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
- Isaiah 49:6 He says: “It is not enough for You to be My Servant, to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the protected ones of Israel. I will also make You a light for the nations, to bring My salvation to the ends of the earth.”
- Isaiah 49:13 Shout for joy, O heavens; rejoice, O earth; break forth in song, O mountains! For the LORD has comforted His people, and He will have compassion on His afflicted ones.
- Psalms 72:11 May all kings bow down to him and all nations serve him.