Psalm 66 17

Psalm 66:17 kjv

I cried unto him with my mouth, and he was extolled with my tongue.

Psalm 66:17 nkjv

I cried to Him with my mouth, And He was extolled with my tongue.

Psalm 66:17 niv

I cried out to him with my mouth; his praise was on my tongue.

Psalm 66:17 esv

I cried to him with my mouth, and high praise was on my tongue.

Psalm 66:17 nlt

For I cried out to him for help,
praising him as I spoke.

Psalm 66 verses

Psalm 66 17 Meaning

Psalm 66:17 articulates a deeply personal experience of prayer and worship. The psalmist declares that he vocally called out to God in earnest supplication and, concurrently, God was praised or elevated by his very words. This verse highlights the inseparable connection between heartfelt prayer, uttered through the mouth, and the immediate or resultant praise of God by the tongue. It signifies that even in crying out for help, genuine recognition and exaltation of God's sovereignty are inherent in the act.

Psalm 66 17 Context

Psalm 66 is a hymn of thanksgiving and praise, celebrating God's mighty acts for His people and specifically for the psalmist himself. The chapter begins with a universal call to worship (vv. 1-4), then recounts God's powerful deeds in history, particularly His deliverance of Israel through the Red Sea and wilderness (vv. 5-7), and enduring trials like fire and flood (vv. 8-12). Following this corporate testimony, the psalm shifts to a personal declaration of praise and fulfilled vows (vv. 13-15). Verse 17 fits squarely into this personal testimony section (vv. 16-20), where the psalmist shares how God personally answered his prayer, contrasting with the preceding broader national narrative. There is an implicit polemic against pagan beliefs by asserting that it is YHWH alone who hears and answers the sincere cry of His worshippers, in stark contrast to idols who have "mouths but do not speak" (Ps 115:5). The historical context aligns with a period of national deliverance or personal relief from a great trial.

Psalm 66 17 Word analysis

• "I cried": Hebrew qara'ti (קָרָאתִי). A strong, active verb in the perfect tense, indicating a completed action with lasting effect. It signifies a fervent call, an urgent summons, or a solemn invocation, usually to God in prayer or distress (as seen in Ps 18:6, 116:3-4). It's not a mere thought or whisper, but an audible, intense vocalization of need or supplication, conveying deep sincerity and earnestness.
• "to Him": Implies a direct address and focused direction towards God, highlighting a personal relationship between the psalmist and the Divine. The object of the cry is explicitly God alone.
• "with my mouth": Hebrew be-phi (בְּפִי). This phrase emphasizes the external, audible nature of the prayer. It underscores that the psalmist's appeal was not just an internal thought, but a deliberate, verbalized expression of his heart. It speaks to the authenticity and embodiment of his prayer in articulated words. This contrasts with prayer that might only be in one's mind, stressing the importance of vocal confession and petition.
• "and He was extolled": Hebrew va-roomam (וּרוֹמַם). This is a Pual passive perfect form of the verb rum (רוּם), meaning "to be high," "exalted," "lifted up," or "magnified." The passive voice is significant: "He was extolled," not "I extolled Him." This can suggest that God's inherent greatness was highlighted by the act of crying out, or that in the very act of the psalmist's prayer, God received spontaneous exaltation, as His worthiness became evident. It can also imply that the psalmist's intent in crying out also included the exalting of God. It's an automatic consequence or concurrent reality of a heart truly turned to God.
• "with my tongue": Hebrew tahath leshoni (תַּחַת לְשׁוֹנִי). Literally "under my tongue," but commonly understood as "with my tongue" or "by my tongue." This phrase directly parallels "with my mouth," serving to reinforce the vocal, audible aspect of the praise. It underscores that the exaltation of God was not merely internal but was expressed vocally and publicly, indicating readiness and promptness. The pairing of "mouth" and "tongue" emphasizes the full engagement of vocal organs in both crying out and praising.

Psalm 66 17 Bonus section

The precise translation of "and He was extolled" (וּרוֹמַם) as passive can carry a nuanced theological depth. It could suggest that God's exaltation is an inherent aspect of who He is, revealed even through the act of a human crying out to Him. It's less about the psalmist making God great, and more about the psalmist recognizing and allowing God to be shown as great. This resonates with the concept that God's glory is unveiled when His people depend on Him and when He answers their pleas. It speaks to the integrity of prayer, not as a transaction, but as a recognition of God's character where asking implicitly honors His capacity and willingness to respond.

Psalm 66 17 Commentary

Psalm 66:17 presents a powerful portrait of sincere devotion where urgent prayer naturally coalesces with profound praise. The psalmist describes a dynamic relationship with God where the cry of the heart, voiced through the mouth, simultaneously becomes an act of extolling the Divine. This is not a sequence of "first I pray, then I praise," but rather an intimate blend, where in the very act of seeking God's intervention, His inherent glory and power are acknowledged. True prayer acknowledges not just need, but also the unparalleled greatness of the One being addressed. This verse demonstrates that our distress, when genuinely brought before God, can paradoxically elevate Him as our sovereign Helper. For practical application, it encourages believers to remember God's character and worthiness even in their most desperate prayers, understanding that adoration and supplication are two sides of the same divine conversation.