Psalms 71:15

KJV

My mouth shall shew forth thy righteousness [and] thy salvation all the day; for I know not the numbers [thereof].

KJV (with Strong's)

My mouth {H6310} shall shew forth {H5608}{H8762)} thy righteousness {H6666} and thy salvation {H8668} all the day {H3117}; for I know {H3045}{H8804)} not the numbers {H5615} thereof.

Complete Jewish Bible

All day long my mouth will tell of your righteous deeds and acts of salvation, though their number is past my knowing.

Berean Standard Bible

My mouth will declare Your righteousness and Your salvation all day long, though I cannot know their full measure.

American Standard Version

My mouth shall tell of thy righteousness, Andof thy salvation all the day; For I know not the numbers thereof.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 71:15 is a profound declaration by the psalmist of an unwavering commitment to perpetually proclaim God's inherent righteousness and His saving acts. This continuous testimony is rooted in the deep understanding that the divine attributes and interventions are boundless, beyond human capacity to fully comprehend or enumerate. It is a vow of lifelong praise, acknowledging the infinite nature of God's character and His redemptive work throughout history and in the psalmist's personal experience.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 71 is a heartfelt prayer, often attributed to an elderly individual, possibly King David in his later years, facing significant opposition and vulnerability. It is unique in the Psalter for not having a superscription. The psalmist recounts a lifetime of dependence on God, from childhood (e.g., [Psalms 71:5-6](/psalms/71-5 "Psalms 71:5-6 - God, My Trust from Youth")) to old age, pleading for deliverance from enemies (e.g., [Psalms 71:2-4](/psalms/71-2 "Psalms 71:2-4 - Prayer for Deliverance")) and expressing confidence in God's unfailing help. Verse 15 follows a declaration of continued hope and increasing praise (e.g., [Psalms 71:14](/psalms/71-14 "Psalms 71:14 - My Hope is Always in You")), serving as a solemn vow to respond to God's anticipated and past faithfulness with ceaseless proclamation. It sets the stage for further expressions of trust and desire to declare God's power to the next generation (e.g., [Psalms 71:18](/psalms/71-18 "Psalms 71:18 - Declare Your Strength to the Next Generation")).

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, old age often brought increased vulnerability, as physical strength diminished and reliance on family or community support grew. The psalmist's plea for God's presence in old age (e.g., [Psalms 71:9](/psalms/71-9 "Psalms 71:9 - Do Not Cast Me Off in Old Age")) reflects this reality. Public proclamation of God's deeds was a vital aspect of Israelite worship and communal life, serving as both an act of praise and a means of instructing future generations (e.g., [Deuteronomy 6:7](/deuteronomy/6-7 "Deuteronomy 6:7 - Teach Your Children Diligently")). The concepts of "righteousness" (צֶדֶק, _tzedeq_) and "salvation" (יְשׁוּעָה, _yeshua'_) were foundational to the covenant relationship, signifying God's just character, His faithfulness to His promises, and His redemptive acts on behalf of His people. The psalmist's vow to declare these attributes reflects a deep, personal understanding of God's covenant loyalty.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Psalm 71 and the broader Psalter. Firstly, it highlights **Unending Proclamation**, where "all the day" signifies a continuous, perpetual commitment to declare God's character and saving acts, not merely a fleeting moment of praise but a lifestyle of testimony. This echoes the sentiment found in [Psalms 34:1](/psalms/34-1 "Psalms 34:1 - I Will Bless the Lord at All Times"), "I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth." Secondly, the admission "for I know not the numbers thereof" underscores **God's Boundless Nature**, emphasizing the immeasurable, innumerable quality of God's righteousness and salvation. These divine qualities are infinite, inexhaustible, and beyond human ability to fully grasp or quantify, a theme also seen in [Psalms 40:5](/psalms/40-5 "Psalms 40:5 - God's Countless Wonderful Works"). Lastly, the verse centers on **Divine Righteousness and Salvation**, the core attributes of God that form the foundation of the psalmist's praise. God's righteousness refers to His inherent justice, faithfulness to His covenant, and His right actions in dealing with humanity, while His salvation encompasses His acts of deliverance, rescue, and preservation.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Righteousness (Hebrew, _tzedeq_):** This term (צֶדֶק) carries a rich and multifaceted meaning in the Old Testament. It refers not just to abstract justice, but to God's inherent moral perfection, His faithfulness to His covenant promises, and His consistent action in accordance with His holy character. When God shows forth His righteousness, He is vindicating the oppressed, upholding His covenant, and acting righteously in His dealings with humanity. It is His active conformity to His own perfect standard.
* **Salvation (Hebrew, _yeshua'_):** The Hebrew word (יְשׁוּעָה) denotes deliverance, rescue, victory, and well-being. It encompasses God's acts of intervention to save His people from enemies, danger, or distress. It is a broad term that speaks to God's power and willingness to bring about liberation and restoration. The psalmist's experience of God's salvation is personal and tangible, forming a key reason for his praise.
* **Numbers (Hebrew, _s'forot_):** The phrase "I know not the numbers thereof" (לֹא יָדַעְתִּי סְפֹרוֹת) literally means "I do not know their counts/enumerations." This is not an admission of ignorance in the negative sense, but rather a profound acknowledgment of the infinite, immeasurable, and countless nature of God's acts of righteousness and salvation. It conveys that these divine qualities and deeds are so vast that they defy human quantification or comprehension, serving as the very reason for perpetual praise.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"My mouth shall shew forth thy righteousness":** This clause emphasizes the active, vocal, and public nature of the psalmist's commitment. "My mouth" signifies personal testimony and proclamation, while "shew forth" (סָפַר, _sapar_, to recount, declare, number) implies a detailed and continuous telling. The primary object of this declaration is God's "righteousness," highlighting His just character and covenant faithfulness as the foundation of all His dealings.
* **"[and] thy salvation all the day;":** This expands the scope of proclamation to include God's "salvation" – His mighty acts of deliverance and rescue. The phrase "all the day" is a hyperbole signifying not just a single moment, but a continuous, habitual, and lifelong commitment to praise. It suggests that every moment of the psalmist's existence will be dedicated to declaring God's saving power.
* **"for I know not the numbers [thereof].":** This final clause provides the profound theological rationale for the unending praise. The "for" (כִּי, _ki_) introduces the reason: the immeasurable, countless nature of God's righteousness and salvation. Because God's goodness, justice, and saving acts are infinite and inexhaustible, the psalmist's praise must also be unending. It is an acknowledgment that the wellspring of divine grace never runs dry, thus inspiring a perpetual overflow of gratitude and testimony.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 71:15 is rich with literary artistry that enhances its theological message. The most prominent device is **Hyperbole**, evident in the phrases "all the day" and "I know not the numbers thereof." These are not meant to be taken literally as a 24-hour, exhaustive accounting, but rather to convey the totality, continuity, and boundless nature of the psalmist's praise and God's attributes. The phrase "righteousness and salvation" can be seen as a **Merism**, where two distinct but related concepts are used to encompass the full spectrum of God's redemptive and just character and actions. The verse also functions as a **Vow** or **Confession**, where the psalmist makes a solemn commitment to God, expressing a deep-seated conviction. Furthermore, there's a subtle **Paradox** or **Irony** in the final clause: the very reason for the unending proclamation is the *inability* to fully quantify or grasp the extent of God's goodness, implying that its infinitude compels perpetual praise rather than silencing it.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse powerfully articulates the human response to an infinitely good God. The psalmist's commitment to "shew forth" God's righteousness and salvation "all the day" speaks to the essential nature of worship as a continuous, all-encompassing lifestyle rather than a compartmentalized activity. It underscores that true praise flows from a deep, personal encounter with God's character and His redemptive work, recognizing that His attributes are not merely great, but immeasurable. This acknowledgment of God's boundless nature (His righteousness and salvation being "without number") fosters both humility and profound trust, as it assures the believer that God's capacity to act justly and to deliver is inexhaustible. The verse thus serves as a model for how believers are to live in light of God's infinite grace: with mouths open in perpetual testimony, bearing witness to His unfathomable goodness.

* [Psalms 34:1](/psalms/34-1 "Psalms 34:1 - Blessing the Lord at All Times")
* [Psalms 40:5](/psalms/40-5 "Psalms 40:5 - God's Countless Wonderful Works")
* [Isaiah 45:8](/isaiah/45-8 "Isaiah 45:8 - Righteousness and Salvation Springing Forth")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 71:15 calls us to cultivate a profound and continuous awareness of God's character and His saving acts in our lives. It challenges us to move beyond sporadic moments of gratitude to a lifestyle of perpetual praise and testimony. Just as the psalmist, even in old age and adversity, found an inexhaustible wellspring of reasons to declare God's righteousness and salvation, so too are we encouraged to recognize God's hand in every circumstance—His justice in the face of injustice, His deliverance in times of trouble, His faithfulness amidst our doubts. This verse reminds us that our personal experiences of God's goodness are not meant to be kept private but are to be vocalized, shared, and "shewn forth" to others, becoming a living witness to His boundless grace. When we acknowledge that God's attributes are "without number," it should fill us with unwavering confidence in His capacity to sustain, redeem, and act justly, inviting us to rest in His infinite power and love.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How can I cultivate a spirit of continuous praise in my daily life, even amidst challenges?**
* **What specific acts of God's righteousness and salvation have I personally experienced that I can "shew forth" to others?**
* **How does acknowledging God's immeasurable nature (that His righteousness and salvation are "without number") impact my trust and worship of Him?**

### FAQ

**Is the phrase "all the day" meant to be taken literally, implying 24/7 continuous verbal proclamation?**

Answer: No, "all the day" is a figure of speech, specifically hyperbole, used to convey the idea of continuous, habitual, and pervasive praise. It signifies that the psalmist's commitment to declaring God's righteousness and salvation is not limited to specific times or occasions but is an ongoing, lifelong disposition and practice. It points to a heart that is constantly overflowing with gratitude and a mouth that is ready to testify.

**What does "for I know not the numbers thereof" truly imply about God's righteousness and salvation?**

Answer: This phrase is not an admission of ignorance or a lack of understanding on the psalmist's part. Instead, it is a profound theological statement acknowledging the infinite, immeasurable, and inexhaustible nature of God's righteousness and salvation. It means that God's acts of justice, faithfulness, and deliverance are so numerous and so vast that they defy human quantification or full comprehension. This immeasurability is precisely the reason for the psalmist's perpetual praise; because God's goodness never runs out, the praise for it can never cease. It speaks to the boundless resources and character of God.

**How does this verse, particularly the psalmist's advanced age, relate to the broader theme of lifelong dependence on God in Psalm 71?**

Answer: Psalms 71:15 is a powerful testament to lifelong dependence. The psalmist, likely an elderly individual, has experienced God's faithfulness from childhood (e.g., [Psalms 71:5-6](/psalms/71-5 "Psalms 71:5-6 - God, My Trust from Youth")) and continues to rely on Him in old age. This verse demonstrates that even when physical strength wanes and vulnerability increases, the psalmist's trust in God's boundless righteousness and salvation remains undiminished. It underscores that a lifetime of experiencing God's deliverance leads to an unwavering commitment to praise Him perpetually, showing that faith and testimony are not diminished by age but are rather deepened and affirmed by a lifetime of God's faithfulness.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 71:15 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The "righteousness" and "salvation" that the psalmist vows to proclaim are perfectly embodied and fully revealed in Him. Jesus is the very [righteousness of God incarnate](/romans/3-21 "Romans 3:21 - The Righteousness of God through Faith"), through whom God's perfect justice and covenant faithfulness are satisfied and extended to humanity. His life, death, and resurrection constitute the definitive act of "salvation," delivering humanity from sin and death (e.g., [Acts 4:12](/acts/4-12 "Acts 4:12 - Salvation in No Other Name")). The "numbers thereof" being unknown speaks to the infinite scope of God's redemptive plan, which culminates in Christ's atoning work—a work so vast and eternally significant that its benefits are truly immeasurable. For the New Covenant believer, the command to "shew forth thy righteousness and thy salvation all the day" becomes a joyful mandate to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ (e.g., [1 Peter 2:9](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - Proclaiming God's Excellencies")). Our continuous "sacrifice of praise" (e.g., [Hebrews 13:15](/hebrews/13-15 "Hebrews 13:15 - A Sacrifice of Praise")) is now offered through Him, acknowledging that in Christ, God has indeed provided a salvation so complete and a righteousness so perfect that its "numbers" are beyond our comprehension, compelling us to declare His glory without end.

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 40:5

Many, O LORD my God, [are] thy wonderful works [which] thou hast done, and thy thoughts [which are] to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: [if] I would declare and speak [of them], they are more than can be numbered.

Psalms 35:28

And my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness [and] of thy praise all the day long.

Psalms 71:8

Let my mouth be filled [with] thy praise [and with] thy honour all the day.

Psalms 145:2

Every day will I bless thee; and I will praise thy name for ever and ever.

Psalms 89:16

In thy name shall they rejoice all the day: and in thy righteousness shall they be exalted.

Psalms 71:24

My tongue also shall talk of thy righteousness all the day long: for they are confounded, for they are brought unto shame, that seek my hurt.

Psalms 139:17

¶ How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!