Psalms 71:8 (KJV)

What does Psalms 71:8 mean?

Psalms 71:8 is a prayer asking that the speaker’s mouth would be full of praise and honor for God all day long. The verse expresses a desire for continual, heartfelt worship and recognition of God’s greatness, not just in private but spoken aloud.

The speaker in Psalms 71 is traditionally understood to be an older person reflecting on a lifetime of trust in God, asking for continued help and protection. In this verse, the focus is on using one’s words—specifically the mouth—to honor God throughout the day, showing that praise is meant to be ongoing and public, not just occasional or silent.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 71:8

• "mouth" (פֶּה, peh): This word refers to the physical mouth, highlighting that the act of praise is spoken and outward, not just internal.
• "filled" (מָלֵא, male): This verb means to be completely full or overflowing, suggesting that the speaker wants praise for God to be abundant and leave no room for anything else.
• "praise" (תְּהִלָּה, tehilah): This word means praise or song of admiration, often used in the Psalms for vocal expressions of God’s greatness.
• "honour" (תִּפְאָרָה, tifarah): This word means glory or splendor, emphasizing that the speaker wants to speak of God’s majesty, not just offer thanks.
• "day" (יוֹם, yom): This word means a full day, underlining the idea of praise being constant, not limited to a specific time.

Why Psalms 71:8 matters

• Psalms 71:8 clarifies that praise is meant to be spoken and public, not just a private feeling or thought.
• The verse emphasizes that honoring God is not a one-time act but something to be done continually, throughout the entire day.
• In the context of Psalms 71, this verse connects the speaker’s lifelong trust in God with a lifelong commitment to vocal praise, showing how gratitude and faith are meant to be expressed openly.