Psalms 71:21 (KJV)

What does Psalms 71:21 mean?

Psalms 71:21 expresses a confident hope that God will not only make the psalmist’s life more significant (“increase my greatness”) but will also bring comfort and reassurance from every direction. The verse is a prayerful statement of trust that God’s care will surround and uplift the speaker.

The psalm is spoken by someone who has faced trouble and is seeking God’s help in old age. The writer, traditionally understood to be David or someone in a similar position, looks to God for restoration and encouragement after hardship. The verse highlights both the desire for renewed dignity and the deep need for comfort that only God can provide.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 71:21

• “Increase” (רָבָה, ravah): This word often means to make something larger or more abundant. Here, it suggests not just personal growth but a restoration or expansion of the psalmist’s honor or standing.
• “Greatness” (גְּדֻלָּה, gedullah): This word points to dignity, honor, or importance. The psalmist is asking God to lift him up in a way that others will recognize.
• “Comfort” (נָחַם, nacham): This verb carries the sense of being consoled or given relief after distress. It emphasizes God’s role in bringing emotional and spiritual healing.
• “Side” (סָבִיב, saviv): Literally meaning “around” or “all around,” this word shows that the comfort is not limited to one area but surrounds the psalmist completely.

Why Psalms 71:21 matters

• The verse clarifies that the psalmist’s hope is not just for personal success but for restoration of dignity and comfort after hardship, especially in old age.
• The use of “on every side” stresses that God’s comfort is thorough and all-encompassing, not partial or limited.
• In the context of the whole psalm, this verse stands out as a turning point from lament to hope, showing the writer’s trust that God can turn suffering into renewed strength and honor.