Psalms 66:17 (KJV)

What does Psalms 66:17 mean?

Psalms 66:17 describes the psalmist calling out to God aloud and giving God praise with spoken words. The verse highlights both the act of prayer and the act of honoring God openly with one’s speech.

In this psalm, the writer is speaking to God and reflecting on a time when he earnestly cried out for help. The verse shows that the psalmist’s response was not just private or silent; he used his mouth and tongue to both ask for help and to lift God up in praise. This fits with the wider context of Psalm 66, which is a song of thanksgiving for God’s deliverance and faithfulness.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 66:17

• "cried" (קָרָא, qara): This word often means to call out loudly or urgently, showing that the psalmist’s prayer was heartfelt and vocal, not just a quiet thought.
• "extolled" (רוּם, rum): This word means to lift up or exalt. Here, it emphasizes that the psalmist did more than just speak; he raised God’s reputation and honor with his words.
• "tongue" (לָשׁוֹן, lashon): The mention of the tongue underlines that the praise was spoken, not just felt inwardly. It stresses the importance of expressing gratitude and honor to God out loud.

Why Psalms 66:17 matters

• Psalms 66:17 clarifies that worship and prayer in the Bible are often meant to be spoken and public, not only private or silent.
• The verse highlights a pattern in the Psalms where calling out to God and praising Him are closely linked—prayer leads to praise.
• By focusing on the mouth and tongue, the verse shows that words have power in expressing both need and gratitude, connecting personal experience to public testimony.