Psalm 71 15

Psalm 71:15 kjv

My mouth shall shew forth thy righteousness and thy salvation all the day; for I know not the numbers thereof.

Psalm 71:15 nkjv

My mouth shall tell of Your righteousness And Your salvation all the day, For I do not know their limits.

Psalm 71:15 niv

My mouth will tell of your righteous deeds, of your saving acts all day long? though I know not how to relate them all.

Psalm 71:15 esv

My mouth will tell of your righteous acts, of your deeds of salvation all the day, for their number is past my knowledge.

Psalm 71:15 nlt

I will tell everyone about your righteousness.
All day long I will proclaim your saving power,
though I am not skilled with words.

Psalm 71 verses

Psalm 71 15 Meaning

Psalm 71:15 expresses the psalmist's fervent resolve to continually declare the majestic attributes and saving acts of God. His "mouth" is committed to narrate the comprehensive "righteousness" and "salvation" of the Most High, doing so without cessation, "all the day." This is a deep personal vow stemming from a life-long experience of God's faithfulness and deliverance.

Psalm 71 15 Context

Psalm 71 is a heartfelt plea and declaration of trust from an older psalmist, likely facing great distress, enemies, and perhaps physical decline. He appeals to God, who has been his refuge and strength since childhood. The psalm oscillates between crying out for deliverance from adversaries who mock his trust in God and firm declarations of reliance on God's power and righteousness. Verse 15 fits into this pattern as the psalmist’s vowed response once he is delivered or as he steadfastly anticipates deliverance. It reflects his consistent commitment to publicly acknowledge God's character and saving acts, echoing his earlier statement (Psa 71:8) and foreshadowing his later resolve (Psa 71:23-24). Historically, this context suggests a King or a righteous elder, perhaps David in old age, enduring personal attacks or national crisis, demonstrating faith through vulnerable times. The psalmist stands in contrast to the false confidence and idol worship of surrounding nations by proclaiming that YHWH alone is the source of righteousness and salvation.

Psalm 71 15 Word analysis

• My mouth: פִּי (piy).
  • Significance: This emphasizes a direct, personal, and active vocal declaration. It is not merely internal thought or meditation, but an external, public utterance. The "mouth" is the instrument of testimony and praise.
• shall tell: יְסַפֵּר (y'sapper). From the root סָפַר (sapar), meaning to count, recount, narrate, declare.
  • Significance: The Piel imperfect verb form suggests a continuous, habitual action or a strong commitment to narrate thoroughly and repeatedly. It implies a detailed recounting, not a casual mention. It suggests proclaiming God's attributes and actions comprehensively, as one might 'number' or 'enumerate' them.
• of Your righteousness: צִדְקָתֶךָ (tzidqateḵa). From צֶדֶק (tzedeq), meaning righteousness, justice, equity.
  • Significance: Refers to God's inherent moral perfection, His just character, and His consistent faithfulness to His covenant and promises. It includes His just dealings, His vindication of the innocent, and His adherence to moral standards. It contrasts with human sin and injustice.
• And of Your salvation: תְּשׁוּעָתֶךָ (teshu'ateḵa). From יָשַׁע (yasha'), meaning to save, deliver, help.
  • Significance: Denotes God's active deliverance, rescue, and intervention on behalf of His people. It encompasses spiritual, physical, and historical acts of liberation. This term (related to Yeshua) carries deep theological weight, pointing to God as the ultimate deliverer, which is consistently revealed throughout the Old and New Testaments.
• all the day: כָּל־הַיּוֹם (kol-hayyom).
  • Significance: Conveys an unceasing, perpetual, or continual act. It means not just occasionally, but throughout every part of the day, indicating unwavering commitment and saturation in the psalmist's life. It signifies a life entirely devoted to acknowledging and praising God.

Words-group Analysis:

• "My mouth shall tell of Your righteousness, And of Your salvation": This pairing links God's character (righteousness) directly to His actions (salvation). The psalmist acknowledges that God saves because He is righteous and acts justly. It highlights the integrity of God's redemptive work, which is not arbitrary but flows from His perfect nature. The specific declaration from the "mouth" signifies testimony, worship, and instruction, sharing this truth with others.

Psalm 71 15 Bonus section

• The declaration in Psa 71:15 reflects a key aspect of Israelite worship and community life, where the recount of God's mighty acts (doxology) served to instruct the young, affirm faith in the present generation, and provide hope for the future.
• The coupling of "righteousness" and "salvation" is frequent in the Hebrew Bible, often signifying the wholeness of God's redemptive work which encompasses both His just dealings and His powerful interventions to save His people. For example, Isaiah often uses these terms together to describe the messianic age.
• The phrase "all the day" can also carry the nuance of "daily" or "every single day," further emphasizing the perpetual and unwavering nature of the psalmist's commitment. This constant proclamation mirrors the idea of continuous prayer or abiding in God's presence.
• The "mouth" in ancient Near Eastern thought, beyond mere speaking, often symbolized one's public identity, authority, and innermost thoughts and intentions made manifest. Therefore, this verse implies the psalmist's entire being is committed to this declaration.

Psalm 71 15 Commentary

Psalm 71:15 is a powerful testament to the psalmist's profound trust and devotion to God, emerging from a lifetime of experiencing His divine presence and deliverance. The psalmist pledges to consistently "tell" or recount, using a verb that implies a thorough, enumerated declaration, not a passing mention. This declaration concerns two inseparable aspects of God's character: His "righteousness," referring to His perfect justice, moral integrity, and covenant faithfulness; and His "salvation," referring to His powerful acts of deliverance and rescue. This confession is not limited to specific moments but extends "all the day," signifying a constant state of worship, testimony, and inner meditation. For the psalmist, acknowledging God's attributes is a continual outflow of his being, driven by gratitude and the recognition that God alone is his rescuer and vindicator. It serves as a personal reinforcement of faith and a public witness to others, countering any humanistic or idolatrous claims to true justice or deliverance. This ongoing praise reflects a life lived in humble dependence and joyful adoration of a truly mighty and just God.