Psalm 71 23

Psalm 71:23 kjv

My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing unto thee; and my soul, which thou hast redeemed.

Psalm 71:23 nkjv

My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing to You, And my soul, which You have redeemed.

Psalm 71:23 niv

My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to you? I whom you have delivered.

Psalm 71:23 esv

My lips will shout for joy, when I sing praises to you; my soul also, which you have redeemed.

Psalm 71:23 nlt

I will shout for joy and sing your praises,
for you have ransomed me.

Psalm 71 verses

Psalm 71 23 Meaning

Psalm 71:23 expresses the psalmist's profound and unreserved commitment to praise God. It declares that both vocal expression and the entire inner being will joyfully erupt in praise, motivated by God's powerful and personal act of redemption. This verse illustrates holistic worship, where external acts of praise are a genuine outpouring from a soul transformed and set free by divine intervention.

Psalm 71 23 Context

Psalm 71 is a poignant prayer of an aged individual, traditionally attributed to King David in his later years. Throughout the Psalm, the speaker faces multiple adversaries and intense personal trials, seeking refuge and deliverance in God, who has been his trust "from my youth" (v. 5) and "from birth" (v. 6). The Psalmist repeatedly recalls God's past faithfulness and deliverance as the basis for his present and future hope. Verse 23 is a forward-looking declaration of intent, following assurances that God will not forsake him in old age (v. 18). Having expressed confident anticipation of God's future vindication and deliverance from his foes (vv. 12-13, 20-21), the psalmist resolves to dedicate his being to fervent praise, explicitly linking this outpouring to God's redemptive work. It’s a culmination of a lifetime of trust in the One who has always delivered him.

Psalm 71 23 Word analysis

• וּשְׂפָתַי (u-śəp̄āṯay) - and my lips:
  • u- (וּ): "And." This conjunction links the expression of praise with previous statements of trust and anticipates God's future actions, signifying a continuous and holistic response.
  • śəp̄āṯay (שְׂפָתַי): "Lips." These are the organs of speech, song, and articulation. Their mention emphasizes the vocal, outward, and audible declaration of praise. It signifies that the praise is not merely an internal thought but an expressed, manifested act of worship.
• תְּרַנֵּנָה (tərannēnâ) - will shout for joy / sing aloud:
  • Derived from the verb rānan (רנן), meaning "to give a ringing cry," "to shout for joy," "to sing aloud." It describes an exuberant, often triumphant and penetrating vocalization. This is not a quiet whisper, but a loud, fervent, joyous expression that accompanies singing. It conveys deep emotion and conviction.
• בְּזָמְרִי (bəzāmərî) - when I sing praises / in my singing:
  • bə- (בְּ): Preposition "in," "when," or "by means of." It indicates the manner or occasion of the exuberant shouting.
  • zāmərî (זָמְרִי): From the verb zāmar (זמר), "to make music," "to sing," "to play instruments," "to make melody." It implies a structured, musical, and melodious form of praise. This differentiates the "shouting for joy" from a mere general outcry, specifying it as worshipful, musical expression. The suffix '-i' indicates "my" (my singing).
• לָךְ (lāḵ) - to You:
  • la- (לָ): Preposition "to" or "for."
  • ḵ (ךְ): The pronominal suffix for "You" (masculine singular), referring directly to God. This directs the worship unequivocally towards the Divine, ensuring that the praise is exclusively offered to the true God.
• וְנַפְשִׁי (wə-nap̄šî) - and my soul / my whole being:
  • wə- (וְ): "And." This links the external, vocal praise (lips) with the internal, spiritual essence of the person, indicating that the worship is holistic and complete.
  • nap̄šî (נַפְשִׁי): From nephesh (נפש), commonly translated as "soul," but often signifying the entire living, breathing, conscious self—the whole person, including desires, will, emotions, and life essence. Its inclusion ensures that the praise is not merely superficial but arises from the deepest part of one's being.
• אֲשֶׁר פָּדִיתָ (’ăšer pādîṯā) - which You have redeemed:
  • ’ăšer (אֲשֶׁר): Relative pronoun "which" or "that." It connects the praise directly to the reason for it.
  • pādîṯā (פָּדִיתָ): From the verb pādâ (פדה), "to redeem," "to ransom," "to deliver." This term implies a strong act of liberation from a state of bondage, danger, or threat, often through a payment or decisive intervention. The suffix '-ta' (תָּ) denotes the second person masculine singular perfect tense, meaning "You have (already) done this" (God). This establishes God's redemptive work as the ultimate, foundational motivation for all praise.

Psalm 71 23 Bonus section

The active "shouting for joy" (rānan) often signifies a victory cry in the Bible, associating the psalmist's praise with the triumph that God brings over his adversaries. This reflects a polemical stance against any belief that victory is achieved by human might or fortune; instead, it is directly attributed to God's redeeming power. The pairing of "lips" and "soul/whole being" anticipates New Testament concepts of worshipping "in spirit and truth" (Jn 4:24), underscoring that authentic worship involves both outward expression and an internal, heart-felt sincerity born of God's work. The focus on personal redemption ('which You have redeemed') makes the praise intensely individual, yet also implies it can serve as a testimony that others might hear and be encouraged by, reflecting the public aspect of worship in the Israelite tradition.

Psalm 71 23 Commentary

Psalm 71:23 stands as a vibrant testament to the integral connection between divine deliverance and human worship. It depicts a praise that is not only audible and joyful but also deeply personal and holistic. The "lips" symbolize the outward, public, and expressive aspect of praise, a vocal acknowledgment that bursts forth with the enthusiasm implied by "shout for joy" and "sing aloud." This is not a subdued utterance, but a vigorous, demonstrative adoration. Yet, the verse immediately qualifies this by drawing in the "whole being," emphasizing that true praise transcends mere sound; it emanates from the core of one's existence – the intellect, emotions, and will.

The catalyst for this overflowing worship is "that which You have redeemed." The Hebrew term pādâ carries the sense of rescue, ransoming from danger or bondage. For the Psalmist, this would encompass a lifetime of God's interventions, freeing him from enemies, preserving his life, and upholding him through trials. This profound personal experience of God's redemptive faithfulness creates an unquenchable wellspring of gratitude and a joyful compulsion to praise. This verse offers a template for genuine worship: it is a response—from the entirety of one's person—to God's specific, personal, and mighty acts of salvation. It challenges superficial religiosity, asserting that worship should be an authentic, exuberant response to the lived reality of God's saving power.

For practical usage, this verse encourages believers to:

• Connect their personal experiences of God's deliverance with their praise.
• Ensure their worship engages both mind and heart, not just words.
• Let their praise be exuberant and unreserved, flowing from joy in redemption.