King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.
Complete Jewish Bible:
From the mouths of babies and infants at the breast you established strength because of your foes, in order that you might silence the enemy and the avenger.
Berean Standard Bible:
From the mouths of children and infants You have ordained praise on account of Your adversaries, to silence the enemy and avenger.
American Standard Version:
Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou established strength, Because of thine adversaries, That thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Out of the mouth{H6310} of babes{H5768} and sucklings{H3243} hast thou ordained{H3245} strength{H5797} because of thine enemies{H6887}, that thou mightest still{H7673} the enemy{H341} and the avenger{H5358}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Matthew 21:16
- And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?
2 Corinthians 12:9
- And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
2 Corinthians 12:10
- Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
Isaiah 40:31
- But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew [their] strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; [and] they shall walk, and not faint.
Psalms 46:10
- Be still, and know that I [am] God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
1 Corinthians 1:27
- But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
Matthew 11:25
- ¶ At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Psalms 8:2
Psalm 8:2, in the context of the entire Psalm, is a reflection on the majesty of God as seen in the creation of the universe and the role of humanity within it. The verse has been traditionally interpreted to highlight the theme of divine strength being made manifest through the weak and unexpected, such as infants and nursing children ("babes and sucklings"). This imagery serves to emphasize that God's power does not rely on human might or conventional sources of strength.
The historical context of this Psalm is rooted in the worship practices of ancient Israel. Attributed to King David, the Psalms were a collection of songs and prayers used in the temple worship in Jerusalem. During David's time, around the 10th century BCE, the Israelites were frequently at war with neighboring nations, and the theme of God's protection against enemies was a common and comforting message.
In Psalm 8:2, the "enemy and the avenger" likely refers to the physical and spiritual adversaries of Israel and God's people. The verse suggests that God can use even the most vulnerable members of society to silence and overcome these foes. This idea would have been particularly poignant for the Israelites, who often found themselves in situations of military and political vulnerability.
Theologically, the verse speaks to the profound truth that God's strength is perfected in human weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). It is a testament to the faith that even the weakest voices, when filled with the Spirit of God, can proclaim truths that confound the wise and silence the adversaries of God's people. This theme resonates throughout the Bible, echoing the sentiment that God chooses the foolish things of the world to shame the wise (1 Corinthians 1:27).
In summary, Psalm 8:2 celebrates the paradoxical nature of divine power, which is often revealed through the humblest of channels. It reassures the faithful that God can and will use the weak to confound the strong, providing a source of strength and protection against all adversaries. This verse continues to inspire believers with the promise that no human condition can limit the power of God to establish justice and peace.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H6310
There are 460 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: פֶּה
Transliteration: peh
Pronunciation: peh
Description: from פָּאָה; the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with preposition) according to; accord(-ing as, -ing to), after, appointment, assent, collar, command(-ment), [idiom] eat, edge, end, entry, [phrase] file, hole, [idiom] in, mind, mouth, part, portion, [idiom] (should) say(-ing), sentence, skirt, sound, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, tenor, [idiom] to, [phrase] two-edged, wish, word. - Strong's Number: H5768
There are 20 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עוֹלֵל
Transliteration: ʻôwlêl
Pronunciation: o-lale'
Description: or עֹלָל; from עוּל; a suckling; babe, (young) child, infant, little one. - Strong's Number: H3243
There are 30 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָנַק
Transliteration: yânaq
Pronunciation: yaw-nak'
Description: a primitive root; to suck; causatively, to give milk; milch, nurse(-ing mother), (give, make to) suck(-ing child, -ling). - Strong's Number: H3245
There are 41 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָסַד
Transliteration: yâçad
Pronunciation: yaw-sad'
Description: a primitive root; to set (literally or figuratively); intensively, to found; reflexively, to sit down together, i.e. settle, consult; appoint, take counsel, establish, (lay the, lay for a) found(-ation), instruct, lay, ordain, set, [idiom] sure. - Strong's Number: H5797
There are 92 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עֹז
Transliteration: ʻôz
Pronunciation: oze
Description: or (fully) עוֹז; from עָזַז; strength in various applications (force, security, majesty, praise); boldness, loud, might, power, strength, strong. - Strong's Number: H6887
There are 56 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: צָרַר
Transliteration: tsârar
Pronunciation: tsaw-rar'
Description: a primitive root; to cramp, literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive; adversary, (be in) afflict(-ion), beseige, bind (up), (be in, bring) distress, enemy, narrower, oppress, pangs, shut up, be in a strait (trouble), vex. - Strong's Number: H7673
There are 67 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁבַת
Transliteration: shâbath
Pronunciation: shaw-bath'
Description: a primitive root; to repose, i.e. desist from exertion; used in many implied relations (causative, figurative or specific); (cause to, let, make to) cease, celebrate, cause (make) to fail, keep (sabbath), suffer to be lacking, leave, put away (down), (make to) rest, rid, still, take away. - Strong's Number: H341
There are 481 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֹיֵב
Transliteration: ʼôyêb
Pronunciation: o-yabe'
Description: or (fully) אוֹיֵב; active participle of אָיַב; hating; an adversary; enemy, foe. - Strong's Number: H5358
There are 31 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָקַם
Transliteration: nâqam
Pronunciation: naw-kam'
Description: a primitive root; to grudge, i.e. avenge or punish; avenge(-r, self), punish, revenge (self), [idiom] surely, take vengeance.