Psalms 71:8 (KJV)

What does Psalms 71:8 mean?

Psalms 71:8 is a prayer asking God to fill the speaker’s speech with praise and honor throughout the day. The speaker wants words about God’s worth to have a lasting place in what he says, rather than appearing only for a brief moment.

The image of a filled mouth pictures speech occupied with praise. After speaking of his confidence in God in verse 7, the speaker turns directly to God with this request. The KJV’s “thy” means “your” and refers to God.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 71:8

• “praise” — תְּהִלָּה (tehillah): This word often means praise expressed in words or song. Here, the speaker asks for his mouth to be filled with words that speak well of God.
• “honour” — תִּפְאֶרֶת (tif’eret): This word can carry the sense of splendor or beauty. Alongside praise, the KJV’s “honour” points to God’s greatness as something worthy of being spoken about.

Why Psalms 71:8 matters

• The verse is itself a request, not simply a report of what the speaker has already done. The words “Let my mouth be filled” address God directly.
• Praise appears alongside hardship in the surrounding passage. Soon afterward, the speaker asks God not to cast him off in old age and speaks of enemies against him in verses 9–10.
• “All the day” gives the request its breadth. The speaker is asking for praise to characterize his speech throughout the day, rather than limiting it to a particular occasion.