Psalm 71:14

Psalm 71:14, in plain English

No matter what happens, you've made a decision: you will keep hoping in God and will actually increase your praise, not reduce it.

Why it's here

This is the turning point in the psalm. The psalmist has named the suffering, named the enemies, asked for rescue—and now makes a radical choice about their internal stance.

Who's speaking

The same person, but now stepping into a decision of will.

Where it sits in the story

This is what Job did, what the three young men did in the furnace, what Paul and Silas did in prison. Praise becomes an act of faith when everything in your circumstances argues against it.

The scholarly reading

Despite enemies and abandonment fears, the psalmist declares his unshakeable resolve: he will perpetually hope and progressively increase his praise.

Language and setting

The phrase 'always hope' (תִּקְוָתִי כָּל־הַיּוֹם, tiqvati kol-ha-yom) creates a paradox with the preceding curse: the psalmist simultaneously calls down judgment and maintains hope. This is not naïveté but what scholars call 'defiant hope'—an act of will against evidence. The progressive element ('praise You more and more') suggests that adversity doesn't diminish but rather intensifies faith's expression.

Voice

The psalmist establishing his fundamental stance: his hope is not contingent on circumstances changing but rooted in God's character itself.

Significance

This becomes the signature posture of Hebrew faith: Abraham believing against hope (Romans 4:18), Job maintaining fidelity despite cosmic injustice. The Reformation theologians, especially Luther, saw this as the essence of faith—trusting not in felt experience but in God's promise.

12Be not far from me, O God. Hurry, O my God, to help me.

13May the accusers of my soul be ashamed and consumed; may those who seek my harm be covered with scorn and disgrace.

14But I will always hope and will praise You more and more.

15My mouth will declare Your righteousness and Your salvation all day long, though I cannot know their full measure.

16I will come in the strength of the Lord GOD; I will proclaim Your righteousness—Yours alone.

Read all of Psalm 71 — From youth to gray hairs, the psalmist has known God's faithfulness. Now aging and weak, he asks: do not forsake me when my strength is spent.