Psalms 71:21

Raise me to a position of great honor! ¹  Turn and comfort me! ² 

2Sa 3:1; Ps 32:10; Ps 72:11; Isa 9:7; Isa 49:6; 2Co 1:4,5; 2Co 2:14; 2Co 7:6,13; 1Th 3:9; Re 11:15

¹ tn Heb “increase my greatness.” The prefixed verbal form is distinctly jussive, indicating this is a prayer or wish. The psalmist’s request for “greatness” (or “honor”) is not a boastful, self-serving prayer for prominence, but, rather, a request that God would vindicate by elevating him over those who are trying to humiliate him.

² tn The imperfects are understood here as expressing the psalmist’s prayer or wish. (Note the use of a distinctly jussive form at the beginning of v. 21.)