Add the habit of hope

The psalmist is teaching us not only to have the habits of trust and praise, but also of hope. 

As for me, I will always have hope;
    I will praise you more and more. (Psalm 71:14)

There's a huge difference between secular hope and biblical hope. Both kinds of hope are talking about the idea of expectations for the future. But secular hope is uncertain.

The person who places his hopes for the future in his wealth cannot be certain: currencies rise and fall; the values of investments increase and decrease; economies of countries can be shaken and destroyed. 

The person who hopes in their own outward beauty or in their strength to overcome obstacles cannot be certain: beauty and strength are fleeting; we all age and grow weaker.

But biblical hope is different. Biblical hope is built upon trust in God and in His faithfulness. 

For you have been my hope, Sovereign Lord,
    my confidence since my youth. (v. 5)

For example, we know that Jesus has promised to return. We can say to others that our hope is in Him. We are looking for His return, and expressing something that is certain - but has not yet occurred. 

so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him. (Hebrews 9:28)

 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. (John 14:3)

As believers, we are people who have a habit of hope built on the promises of God. Our outlook should be, as the missionary Adoniram Judson wrote, "as bright as the promises of our Lord." It's unfortunate that many Christians have picked up the negative, hopeless spirit of the world because they keep their focus on the problems - instead of on God and His promises. That kind of habit will make us bitter, not better, as we grow older. We should be people who hope in God.

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. (Hebrews 11:1)

The psalmist was ready for old age because he had developed a deep knowledge of God. And because he had developed godly habits: he trusted, praised God, and hoped in Him.