What does it mean to "praise You more and more" in Psalm 71:14? Immediate Context Psalm 71 is the prayer of an aging believer who has experienced God’s faithfulness “from my youth” (v. 5–6) and now faces fresh threats. Verse 14 sits at the hinge between lament and confident praise: “But I will hope continually and will praise You more and more.” What “Praise … More and More” Communicates • Ongoing action – the Hebrew carries a sense of continual addition: praise that keeps piling up. • Escalating intensity – each fresh remembrance of God’s help sparks fuller, richer adoration. • Expanding scope – praise enlarges from private meditation to public proclamation (vv. 15–16). • Defiant hope – even while troubles linger (vv. 10–13), the psalmist chooses increasing worship rather than shrinking back. • Lifelong trajectory – the verse aligns with v. 18: “Even when I am old and gray … I will proclaim Your power.” Praise is meant to grow, not plateau, with age. Scriptural Echoes of Continuous, Increasing Praise • Psalm 34:1 – “I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise will always be on my lips.” • Psalm 92:14 – The righteous “still bear fruit in old age.” Their praise does not diminish. • Hebrews 13:15 – “Let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise.” • 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 – Rejoicing and thanksgiving are commanded “always” and “in every circumstance.” Practical Ways to Praise More and More • Record fresh mercies – keep a journal of answered prayer and providence; revisit it in worship. • Sing regularly – add new hymns and psalms that declare different facets of God’s character. • Speak of Him – look for openings to testify of His goodness to family, church, coworkers. • Pray Scripture – turn passages like Psalm 103 or Revelation 5 into personal praise. • Celebrate milestones – birthdays, anniversaries, and deliverances become occasions for louder gratitude. • Serve others – deeds of love magnify God (Matthew 5:16) and transform praise into visible testimony. The Crescendo Through Life Stages Youth: discover God’s salvation (Psalm 71:17). Middle years: recount His mighty deeds (v. 16). Old age: proclaim His power to the next generation (v. 18). Each stage adds volume and depth, so the final chorus of life is the fullest. Bottom Line To “praise … more and more” is to let hope in God fuel an ever-expanding, ever-deepening celebration of who He is and what He does—one that grows louder, broader, and richer with every passing day until it spills into eternity (Revelation 7:9–12). |
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