Psalms 71:14-24 - Homilies By C. Short

Persistent hope and increasing praise.

Upon these the psalmist resolves in this second half of the psalm. Let us distinguish the topics of his hope and praise.

I. GOD 'S WORKS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS ARE INNUMERABLE . ( Psalms 71:15 .) They cannot be reckoned up. All his works are right, both in nature and towards man.

II. GOD 'S WORKS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS ARE MIGHTY WORKS . ( Psalms 71:16 .) "I will come with the mighty deeds of the Lord"—"unto the temple, with all the great and mighty deeds which God has done on my behalf, as my subject of grateful praise." What a tale each life history could tell!

III. GOD 'S WONDROUS WORKS HAVE BEEN THE THEME OF HIS YOUTH , AND SHALL BE OF HIS OLD AGE . ( Psalms 71:17 , Psalms 71:18 .) He has been taught them from his youth, and now that he is old he will tell them to the coming generation. We should he wise teachers in old age, having the experiences of a whole life to draw from.

IV. GOD IN HIS WORKS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS IS AN INCOMPARABLE BEING . ( Psalms 71:19 .) None like unto the infinite and eternal Bring. His righteousness is perfect and exalted.

V. THE AFFLICTIONS WHICH GOD SENDS ARE TO HAVE A QUICKENING AND EXALTING EFFECT . ( Psalms 71:20 , Psalms 71:21 .) By such means God increases our greatness, and manifests himself to us as the comforting God.

VI. UPON THESE GROUNDS HE WILL PRAISE GOD BY ALL THE MEANS HE CAN COMMAND . ( Psalms 71:22-24 .) With the lute and the harp; his lips shall shout for joy, and his soul and his tongue shall talk all day of his righteousness which has caused him to triumph over his foes. "Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion forever and ever." This will be the eternal song of the redeemed creation of God.—S.