Psalms 66:17

KJV

I cried unto him with my mouth, and he was extolled with my tongue.

KJV (with Strong's)

I cried {H7121}{H8804)} unto him with my mouth {H6310}, and he was extolled {H7311}{H8785)}{H8676)}{H7318}{H8785)} with {H8478} my tongue {H3956}.

Complete Jewish Bible

I cried out to him with my mouth, his praise was on my tongue.

Berean Standard Bible

I cried out to Him with my mouth and praised Him with my tongue.

American Standard Version

I cried unto him with my mouth, And he was extolled with my tongue.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalm 66:17 encapsulates a profound and deeply personal spiritual journey, illustrating the direct and dynamic relationship between a believer's earnest supplication and their subsequent outpouring of praise. It captures the transition from a heartfelt cry for divine intervention to a joyous exaltation of God, highlighting the efficacy of prayer and the natural overflow of gratitude that arises from experiencing God's faithfulness and deliverance. This verse serves as a concise testament to the psalmist's personal encounter with God's saving power, mirroring the broader themes of thanksgiving and divine responsiveness woven throughout Psalm 66.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 66 unfolds as a powerful hymn of thanksgiving, beginning with a universal call to worship God for His "awesome deeds" and "terrible works" displayed across creation and history, specifically mentioning the Red Sea crossing and the Jordan River's parting ([Psalm 66:1-7](/psalms/66-1-7 "Psalm 66:1-7 - Call to Worship for God's Mighty Deeds")). The psalm then transitions to a national recounting of God's testing and deliverance of Israel, likening their suffering to being "brought into the net" and having "a heavy burden on our backs" before being "brought out into a place of abundance" ([Psalm 66:8-12](/psalms/66-8-12 "Psalm 66:8-12 - God's Deliverance of Israel Through Trials")). Following this communal testimony, the psalmist shifts to a deeply personal vow and thanksgiving for his own deliverance ([Psalm 66:13-19](/psalms/66-13-19 "Psalm 66:13-19 - The Psalmist's Personal Vows and Thanksgiving")). Verse 17 is situated at the heart of this personal testimony, detailing the psalmist's direct appeal to God during a time of distress and his subsequent, immediate response of worship and praise for God's gracious intervention. It serves as the pivotal moment where the personal cry is met with divine action, leading to public acknowledgment and profound gratitude.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, prayer was often a vocal and public act, especially when involving vows made in times of distress or thanksgiving for deliverance. The act of "crying out" to God (קָרָא, _qara'_) was a common and intense expression of urgent petition, signifying a deep reliance on God in moments of national or personal crisis. This was not a casual request but an earnest, often desperate, plea. Similarly, "extolling" God (רוּמַם, _rumam_) with the tongue was a public declaration of praise, frequently fulfilling a vow made during the period of distress. Such public testimonies reinforced the community's faith in God's active involvement in human affairs and His reputation as a faithful deliverer. The Temple in Jerusalem was a primary site for such public expressions of prayer and praise, where individuals would bring sacrifices and offer vocal thanks for answered prayers, as seen in other psalms of thanksgiving (e.g., [Psalm 116](/psalms/116 "Psalm 116 - Thanksgiving for Deliverance from Death")). This verse thus reflects a deeply ingrained cultural and religious practice of acknowledging God's direct intervention and responding with appropriate and public worship.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within Psalm 66 and the broader Psalter. Firstly, it highlights **The Efficacy of Earnest Prayer**, demonstrating unequivocally that God hears and responds to the sincere, vocal cries of His people. The direct correlation between "I cried unto him" and "he was extolled" underscores the belief that God is attentive and actively involved in the lives of those who seek Him, a theme beautifully echoed in [Psalm 34:6](/psalms/34-6 "Psalm 34:6 - The Poor Man Cried, and the Lord Heard Him"). Secondly, it illustrates **The Inseparable Link Between Prayer and Praise**. The psalmist's experience moves seamlessly from supplication to celebration, establishing a complete cycle of faith, experience, and thanksgiving. This pattern is foundational to biblical worship, where divine deliverance invariably prompts worship, as seen when Israel sang praises after crossing the Red Sea in [Exodus 15](/exodus/15 "Exodus 15 - The Song of Moses and Miriam"). Finally, the verse affirms **God's Worthiness of Exaltation**. The act of "extolling" God is not merely a polite acknowledgment but a profound declaration of His supreme power, faithfulness, and goodness. It recognizes His unique character as the one true God, worthy of the highest praise and adoration, a truth consistently proclaimed throughout the Scriptures, from the call to worship in [Psalm 96:4](/psalms/96-4 "Psalm 96:4 - For the Lord is Great and Greatly to be Praised") to the heavenly worship described in [Revelation 4:11](/revelation/4-11 "Revelation 4:11 - Worthy Are You, Our Lord and God").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Cried (Hebrew, _qârâʼ_):** This primitive root signifies a strong, urgent, and often vocal appeal. It implies a sense of distress or need that compels the individual to call out directly to God. It's not a casual request but an earnest, heartfelt plea, often with an expectation of a response. In biblical usage, _qârâʼ_ is frequently associated with prayer in times of trouble, indicating a desperate reliance on divine intervention, as seen in the psalmist's personal experience here.
* **Extolled (Hebrew, _rôwmâm_, from _rûwm_):** The root _rûwm_ means "to be high," "to rise," or "to lift up." The Pual participle _rôwmâm_ specifically means "to be exalted" or "to be extolled." It describes the act of raising someone or something to a position of honor, glory, and high regard. In this context, it signifies a profound and public declaration of God's supreme greatness, power, and worthiness of praise, elevating Him above all others in the psalmist's estimation and testimony.
* **Mouth (Hebrew, _peh_) and Tongue (Hebrew, _lâshôwn_):** These terms emphasize the physical, audible, and public nature of both the supplication and the praise. The "mouth" (_peh_) is the instrument of the initial cry, indicating a direct, unreserved vocalization of need, a means of blowing out words. The "tongue" (_lâshôwn_) is the instrument of subsequent praise, signifying a deliberate, articulate, and often public declaration of God's goodness. Their combined use underscores the psalmist's wholehearted and complete engagement in both stages of this spiritual experience, moving from urgent petition to joyful proclamation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"I cried unto him with my mouth":** This clause describes the psalmist's initial act of desperate, personal prayer. The phrase "with my mouth" highlights the vocal and earnest nature of the supplication, indicating that the prayer was not merely a silent thought but an audible, heartfelt expression directed specifically "unto him" (God). It conveys the urgency and sincerity of the psalmist's plea in a time of need, establishing the foundation for the subsequent divine response.
* **"and he was extolled with my tongue":** This second clause reveals the outcome and the psalmist's response to God's intervention. The passive voice "he was extolled" implies that God's actions—His deliverance or faithfulness—were the direct cause for His exaltation. "With my tongue" emphasizes the active, vocal, and public nature of the praise. It signifies that the same instrument used for the cry of distress is now used for a declaration of God's greatness, demonstrating a complete and reciprocal cycle of faith, experience, and grateful worship.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 66:17 employs several potent literary devices to enhance its meaning and impact. Foremost is **Synonymous Parallelism**, where the second clause ("and he was extolled with my tongue") echoes and reinforces the meaning of the first ("I cried unto him with my mouth"). While the actions (crying vs. extolling) are distinct, they are parallel in their *source* (the psalmist's vocal organs) and *object* (God), illustrating a powerful cause-and-effect relationship where the cry leads to the extolling. The strategic use of "mouth" and "tongue" exemplifies **Merism**, a figure of speech in which two contrasting or complementary parts are used to represent a whole. Here, "mouth" and "tongue" collectively represent the entirety of the psalmist's vocal expression and, by extension, his whole being engaged in both prayer and praise. Finally, the verse functions as a powerful piece of **Personal Testimony**, a narrative device common in the Psalms where the psalmist shares a deeply personal encounter with God to instruct, encourage, and lead others in worship. This personal account makes the theological truth relatable and profoundly impactful.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalm 66:17 articulates a fundamental theological truth: God hears and responds to the sincere cries of His people, and this divine responsiveness naturally elicits heartfelt praise. This verse beautifully encapsulates the reciprocal nature of the covenant relationship, where human need meets divine grace, resulting in human adoration. It underscores the biblical emphasis on vocal, active worship, moving beyond mere thought to express profound spiritual realities. The psalmist's experience serves as a microcosm of Israel's history—a people repeatedly crying out to God in distress and then celebrating His mighty acts of deliverance, reinforcing God's character as both attentive and mighty. This pattern of supplication leading to exaltation is a core element of faithful living, affirming God's sovereignty and our dependence on Him, and it foreshadows the ultimate worship of God in eternity.

* [Psalm 34:3-6](/psalms/34-3-6 "Psalm 34:3-6 - Glorify the Lord with Me")
* [Psalm 116:1-2](/psalms/116-1-2 "Psalm 116:1-2 - I Love the Lord, Because He Has Heard My Voice")
* [Hebrews 13:15](/hebrews/13-15 "Hebrews 13:15 - The Sacrifice of Praise")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalm 66:17 offers a timeless blueprint for our spiritual lives, urging us to embrace both the earnestness of prayer and the exuberance of praise. In moments of distress, this verse encourages us to vocalize our needs to God without reservation, trusting in His attentiveness and power. It reminds us that our cries are not unheard but are met with divine care and intervention according to His perfect will. Crucially, it then calls us to complete the cycle of faith by intentionally and audibly extolling God when His hand is revealed. This is not merely an obligation but a natural, joyful overflow of a heart that has experienced His faithfulness. Cultivating such a responsive heart transforms our challenges into opportunities for deeper worship, fostering a vibrant, living relationship with our Creator. It teaches us that our testimony, spoken with our mouths and tongues, is a powerful witness to God's goodness, both for our own souls and for those around us, inviting others to join in the praise of our delivering God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **When was the last time you truly "cried out" to God with earnestness, and what was the outcome of that fervent prayer?**
* **How often do your prayers naturally transition into praise, and what might hinder this complete cycle of faith and gratitude in your life?**
* **In what specific ways can you more intentionally use your "mouth" and "tongue" to both express your needs to God and to extol Him for His character and works?**
* **What particular acts of God's faithfulness in your life or in the world can you publicly declare and praise Him for today, thereby encouraging others?**

### FAQ
**Why is vocal prayer and praise emphasized in this verse?**

Answer: The emphasis on "mouth" and "tongue" highlights the holistic and public nature of the psalmist's devotion. Vocalizing prayer signifies a deep, earnest engagement of the whole person, moving beyond mere thought to an audible expression of dependence and trust. Similarly, vocal praise is a deliberate act of worship that acknowledges God's greatness not only internally but also externally, often serving as a public testimony to His faithfulness. This physical expression deepens personal connection and can inspire others, fulfilling the call to "make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!" as found in [Psalm 100:1](/psalms/100-1 "Psalm 100:1 - Make a Joyful Noise to the Lord").

**Does this verse imply that God only hears vocal prayers?**

Answer: No, this verse does not imply that God only hears vocal prayers. The Bible clearly teaches that God hears the silent prayers and even the thoughts and intentions of the heart, as seen in Hannah's silent prayer in [1 Samuel 1:13](/1_samuel/1-13 "1 Samuel 1:13 - Hannah's Silent Prayer") and the Spirit's intercession for us with groans that words cannot express in [Romans 8:26-27](/romans/8-26-27 "Romans 8:26-27 - The Spirit Intercedes for Us"). Rather, the emphasis on "mouth" and "tongue" in Psalm 66:17 underscores the *earnestness* and *completeness* of the psalmist's engagement. It speaks to a full, unreserved expression of faith and gratitude, which often finds its most powerful form in vocal declaration, especially in ancient cultural contexts where public vows and testimonies were common and expected.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalm 66:17, with its profound cycle of cry and praise, finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the one who perfectly embodies both the earnest cry and the ultimate extolling. In His earthly ministry, Jesus Himself cried out to the Father with fervent prayers and supplications, particularly in His agony in Gethsemane ([Luke 22:41-44](/luke/22-41-44 "Luke 22:41-44 - Jesus Prays in Gethsemane")) and from the cross ([Matthew 27:46](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - Jesus Cries Out on the Cross")). His cries were heard, not necessarily by the removal of suffering, but by His resurrection and supreme exaltation to the right hand of the Father ([Philippians 2:9-11](/philippians/2-9-11 "Philippians 2:9-11 - God Exalted Jesus")), demonstrating the Father's ultimate faithfulness and power over death. Moreover, Christ is the object of all praise and the one through whom all praise is now offered. As the Lamb of God, whose sacrifice takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), He is eternally extolled by heavenly hosts, worthy to receive power, wealth, wisdom, might, honor, glory, and blessing ([Revelation 5:12-13](/revelation/5-12-13 "Revelation 5:12-13 - The Lamb is Worthy")). For believers, our cries to God are now heard through Christ, our great High Priest who intercedes for us ([Hebrews 4:14-16](/hebrews/4-14-16 "Hebrews 4:14-16 - Jesus Our High Priest")). And it is through Him that we offer our "sacrifice of praise" to God continually, the fruit of lips that acknowledge His name ([Hebrews 13:15](/hebrews/13-15 "Hebrews 13:15 - The Sacrifice of Praise")), extolling the Father for His redemptive work accomplished in the Son, completing the divine cycle of grace, human response, and eternal glory.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 34:6

This poor man cried, and the LORD heard [him], and saved him out of all his troubles.

Psalms 116:1

¶ I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice [and] my supplications.

Psalms 116:2

Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon [him] as long as I live.

Psalms 30:1

¶ A Psalm [and] Song [at] the dedication of the house of David. I will extol thee, O LORD; for thou hast lifted me up, and hast not made my foes to rejoice over me.

Psalms 145:1

¶ David's [Psalm] of praise. I will extol thee, my God, O king; and I will bless thy name for ever and ever.

Psalms 116:12

What shall I render unto the LORD [for] all his benefits toward me?

Psalms 30:8

I cried to thee, O LORD; and unto the LORD I made supplication.