Psalms 71:6

By thee have I been holden up from the womb: thou art he that took me out of my mother's bowels: my praise [shall be] continually of thee.

By thee have I been holden up {H5564}{H8738)} from the womb {H990}: thou art he that took {H1491}{H8802)} me out of my mother's {H517} bowels {H4578}: my praise {H8416} shall be continually {H8548} of thee.

From birth I have relied on you; it was you who took me from my mother's womb.

I have leaned on You since birth; You pulled me from my mother’s womb. My praise is always for You.

By thee have I been holden up from the womb; Thou art he that took me out of my mother’s bowels: My praise shall be continually of thee.

Psalms 71:6 (KJV) offers a profound declaration of faith and dependence, as the psalmist reflects on God's unwavering care from the very beginning of life. It expresses a deep personal relationship with the Divine, culminating in a commitment to perpetual praise.

Context

Psalm 71 is a heartfelt prayer of an aged individual, likely facing significant adversity and seeking deliverance from enemies. The psalmist appeals to God based on a lifetime of experience with His faithfulness. This verse, therefore, serves as a foundational statement of trust, recalling God's consistent support from infancy as the basis for continued reliance in old age. It sets the stage for the psalmist's plea for rescue, rooted in a history of divine intervention, much like King David's appeals in other Psalms when recounting God's past deliverances.

Key Themes

  • Divine Providence and Care from Birth: The verse powerfully asserts God's intimate involvement in the psalmist's life from its earliest moments. Phrases like "holden up from the womb" and "took me out of my mother's bowels" emphasize God as the ultimate source of life and sustenance, orchestrating their very existence and survival. This echoes the concept of God’s intricate work in forming us, as seen in Psalm 139:13.
  • Lifelong Dependence on God: The psalmist's declaration is not merely a historical recounting but an acknowledgment of continuous, unbroken reliance on God throughout all stages of life. This foundational trust built from birth extends into the present challenges and future hopes.
  • Continual Praise: The natural and ultimate response to such profound, lifelong faithfulness is unceasing worship. "My praise shall be continually of thee" is a vow of perpetual gratitude and adoration, recognizing God as the sole object worthy of such devotion. This commitment to continual praise is a central theme in many psalms.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "holden up" comes from the Hebrew word samak (סמך), which means to lean upon, to support, or to uphold. It conveys a sense of strong, reliable support, like a pillar. "Took me out" uses the Hebrew gawlach (גולח), meaning to bring forth or deliver, vividly portraying God's active role in the psalmist's birth and safe delivery into the world.

Practical Application

This verse encourages believers to reflect on God's faithfulness in their own lives, even from their earliest memories. It reminds us that God's care is not just for moments of crisis but is a constant, foundational reality. Recognizing God as our sustainer from birth should cultivate a deep sense of gratitude and inspire a commitment to praise Him continually, regardless of our age or circumstances. It strengthens our faith to face present and future challenges, knowing that the God who sustained us from the womb will continue to uphold us.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Psalms 22:9

    But thou [art] he that took me out of the womb: thou didst make me hope [when I was] upon my mother's breasts.

  • Psalms 22:10

    I was cast upon thee from the womb: thou [art] my God from my mother's belly.

  • Jeremiah 1:5

    Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, [and] I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.

  • Psalms 139:15

    My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, [and] curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.

  • Psalms 139:16

    Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all [my members] were written, [which] in continuance were fashioned, when [as yet there was] none of them.

  • Galatians 1:15

    But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called [me] by his grace,

  • Isaiah 49:5

    And now, saith the LORD that formed me from the womb [to be] his servant, to bring Jacob again to him, Though Israel be not gathered, yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the LORD, and my God shall be my strength.

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