Psalm 119:171 kjv
My lips shall utter praise, when thou hast taught me thy statutes.
Psalm 119:171 nkjv
My lips shall utter praise, For You teach me Your statutes.
Psalm 119:171 niv
May my lips overflow with praise, for you teach me your decrees.
Psalm 119:171 esv
My lips will pour forth praise, for you teach me your statutes.
Psalm 119:171 nlt
Let praise flow from my lips,
for you have taught me your decrees.
Psalm 119 171 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ps 119:172 | My tongue will sing of Your word... | Praising for the excellence of His word. |
| Ps 119:164 | Seven times a day I praise You for Your righteous judgments. | Constant praise based on God's judgments. |
| Ps 1:2 | But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night. | Joy in God's law leading to righteousness. |
| Ps 19:7-11 | The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul... | The law's power to revive and enlighten. |
| Ps 34:1-3 | I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. | General commitment to continuous praise. |
| Ps 40:8 | I delight to do Your will, O my God, and Your law is within my heart. | Heartfelt delight in obeying God's will/law. |
| Ps 103:1-2 | Bless the LORD, O my soul... and forget not all His benefits. | Praise arising from God's goodness and blessings. |
| Ps 145:4-7 | One generation shall praise Your works to another... | Passing on knowledge of God's greatness leads to praise. |
| Deut 6:6-7 | These words... shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children... | Importance of learning and teaching God's commands. |
| Isa 2:3 | For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. | God's instruction flowing forth to teach. |
| Jer 31:33 | But this is the covenant... I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts... | New Covenant promises inner knowledge of law. |
| Ezek 36:26-27 | I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you... I will put My Spirit within you... | God enables obedience through inner transformation. |
| Mt 7:24 | Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does them, I will liken him to a wise man... | Hearing and obeying Christ's words (His teachings). |
| Jn 14:15 | If you love Me, keep My commandments. | Love for God expressed through obedience to His commands. |
| Jn 14:21 | He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. | Knowledge of commandments leads to loving obedience. |
| Rom 12:2 | Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind... | Transformation through God's teaching in mind. |
| Heb 8:10 | I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God... | God's law becomes an internal guide in new covenant. |
| Jas 1:22-25 | But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. | The importance of actively living out God's word. |
| 1 Pet 2:9 | But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood... that you may proclaim the praises... | Proclaiming God's excellencies as His chosen people. |
| 2 Tim 3:16-17 | All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof... | The divine purpose and benefit of Scripture. |
| Rev 5:9-10 | And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy... | Redeemed giving praise to God/Lamb. |
| Eph 5:18-19 | ...but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns... | Spirit-filled life includes expressive praise. |
Psalm 119 verses
Psalm 119 171 Meaning
Psalm 119:171 expresses a heartfelt vow to praise the Most High, with this praise stemming directly from the instruction and wisdom received through God's divine statutes. It reveals a reciprocal relationship where divine teaching evokes human adoration. The act of speaking praise is a natural and grateful overflow for the deep understanding and life guidance gained from God's holy word.
Psalm 119 171 Context
Psalm 119 is an acrostic psalm, the longest chapter in the Bible, entirely devoted to exalting God's word using eight primary synonyms (law, testimonies, precepts, statutes, commandments, rules/judgments, decrees, word/promises). Each of its 22 stanzas, corresponding to the letters of the Hebrew alphabet, contains eight verses, all of which generally reference God's word.
Verse 171 falls within the 'Qoph' (קוֹף) section (verses 161-168). In this broader section, the psalmist expresses deep reverence and loyalty to God's word despite persecution, finding peace and understanding in its instruction. The immediate preceding verses highlight seeking God, holding to His testimonies, and praising Him (Ps 119:169-170). Thus, verse 171 directly continues this theme, explicitly linking praise as the outcome of divine instruction in the statutes. Historically, ancient Israel saw God's law not as burdensome but as a gift that guided them in righteousness, leading to life and blessing in their covenant relationship with Yahweh.
Psalm 119 171 Word analysis
- My lips: (Hebrew: שְׂפָתַי, śephatay) - Emphasizes vocal, audible praise, suggesting an outward, manifest expression. It denotes a direct, personal, and tangible declaration of adoration rather than merely internal sentiment. This contrasts with mere intellectual assent, requiring physical engagement in worship.
- shall utter: (Hebrew: תַּבַּעְנָה, tābba'nâ - a form of נבע, nāva’). This verb literally means to 'flow,' 'bubble forth,' or 'gush out.' It conveys an idea of spontaneity and abundance, an uncontainable overflow of the heart through the mouth. The praise is not forced but naturally erupts.
- praise: (Hebrew: תְהִלָּה, t'hillâ). This term specifically refers to a hymn or song of praise, focusing on God's character, acts, and attributes. It signifies not merely thanksgiving, but worship that extols the greatness and glory of the Most High, often implying public proclamation.
- for You teach me: (Hebrew: כִּי תְלַמְּדֵנִי, kî tlamm'dēnî). "For" (kî) indicates the reason or cause, establishing a direct causal link. "You teach me" (tlamm'dēnî - a form of למד, lamad in the causative Hiphil stem). This signifies that God is the active instructor, imparting wisdom and understanding. It points to a divine-human relationship where God condescends to educate His servant, and the psalmist is a receptive learner. This teaching is personal and continuous.
- Your statutes: (Hebrew: חֻקֶּיךָ, ḥuqqeḵā). These are God's engraved laws, His settled ordinances or decrees. They represent fixed, established principles and regulations that are unchangeable. In Psalm 119, 'statutes' (ḥuqqîm) are frequently mentioned, highlighting their authoritative, prescriptive, and binding nature. Knowledge of these laws guides one in living according to God's righteous standards.
Words-group analysis
- My lips shall utter praise: This phrase captures the essence of vocal worship that springs from within. It’s an active response, a dedication of one's vocal faculties to God. This isn't just a mental acknowledgment of truth, but a spiritual utterance.
- for You teach me Your statutes: This segment establishes the foundation for the praise. The psalmist's worship is not arbitrary but profoundly rooted in divine revelation and instruction. It signifies that true, informed praise arises from knowing God’s will and character as revealed in His word, specifically His established laws which bring clarity and direction. The act of teaching emphasizes God’s ongoing grace in providing moral and spiritual guidance.
Psalm 119 171 Bonus section
The dynamic of teaching and praise in this verse illustrates that sound theology naturally leads to doxology. The better one understands who God is and what His will entails (His statutes), the more robust and authentic their praise becomes. This verse underpins the importance of continuous discipleship – remaining teachable and engaged with God's word – as the fuel for fervent worship. It highlights that God's teaching is active, personal, and life-shaping, intended not just for knowledge, but for a transformed heart that joyfully responds in praise.
Psalm 119 171 Commentary
Psalm 119:171 succinctly captures the deep connection between God’s active instruction and the human response of praise. It asserts that genuine worship is not spontaneous sentiment alone but is profoundly shaped by an understanding of divine truth. The psalmist's commitment to "utter praise" overflows naturally and abundantly because God "teaches" His unchanging "statutes." This teaching signifies not merely intellectual acquisition but a formative process by which God illuminates the path of righteousness through His word. Therefore, this verse illustrates that worship rooted in knowledge of God's revealed will is meaningful, sincere, and directly proportional to one's engagement with and comprehension of His word. It provides a model for the believer: as God provides clarity and direction through His word, the heart is moved to expressive adoration.