Psalms 71:6

Translation
King James Version
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.
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KJV (with Strong's)
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.
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Complete Jewish Bible
From birth I have relied on you; it was you who took me from my mother's womb.
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Berean Standard Bible
I have leaned on You since birth; You pulled me from my mother’s womb. My praise is always for You.
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American Standard Version
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.
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World English Bible Messianic
I have relied on you from the womb. You are he who took me out of my mother’s womb. I will always praise you.
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Geneva Bible (1599)
Vpon thee haue I beene stayed from the wombe: thou art he that tooke me out of my mothers bowels: my praise shalbe alwaies of thee.
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Young's Literal Translation
By Thee I have been supported from the womb, From my mother's bowels Thou dost cut me out, In Thee is my praise continually.
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See also
Psalms 22:9Psalms 22:10Jeremiah 1:5Psalms 139:15Psalms 139:16Galatians 1:15Isaiah 49:5
In the KJVVerse 14,983 of 31,102

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SUMMARY

Psalms 71:6 is a profound declaration of the psalmist's lifelong dependence on God, expressing an unwavering trust rooted in divine care from the very moment of birth. It articulates a deeply personal relationship with the Creator, who is acknowledged as the sustainer and deliverer from the womb, culminating in a fervent commitment to offer continuous praise as the natural and perpetual response to such enduring faithfulness.

CONTEXT

  • Literary Context: Psalm 71 is a heartfelt prayer of an aged individual, likely facing significant adversity, perhaps from enemies or the infirmities of old age (compare Psalm 71:9 and Psalm 71:18). The psalmist appeals to God for deliverance, grounding this plea in a lifetime of experience with divine faithfulness. Verse 6, 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 immediately follows a declaration of hope and trust from youth in Psalm 71:5 and precedes a lament about being a "wonder unto many" in Psalm 71:7 while simultaneously affirming God as a "strong refuge." This verse anchors the psalmist's present plea in a deep, historical understanding of God's personal and intimate involvement, setting the stage for the subsequent petitions for rescue and vindication.
  • Historical & Cultural Context: The Psalms, as a collection, reflect the rich tapestry of Israelite worship, lament, and praise. While Psalm 71 does not specify a particular historical event, it embodies the universal human experience of aging, vulnerability, and the need for divine protection. In ancient Israel, the elderly held a respected position, often seen as repositories of wisdom and experience, yet they were also vulnerable without strong family or community support. The psalmist's appeal to God as the one who "took me out of my mother's bowels" resonates with the biblical emphasis on God as the sovereign Creator and sustainer of life, intricately involved in the formation of each individual (compare Job 10:8-12 and Psalm 139:13-16). This deep, personal understanding of God's providence from the earliest moments of existence was a cornerstone of Israelite faith, providing a robust foundation for trust in times of distress.
  • Key Themes: This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within Psalm 71 and the broader Psalter. Firstly, it underscores Divine Providence and Lifelong Care, asserting God's intimate involvement in the psalmist's life from its very inception. Phrases like "holden up from the womb" and "took me out of my mother's bowels" emphasize God as the ultimate source of life, sustenance, and protection, orchestrating their very existence and survival. This theme of God's meticulous care from birth is echoed in other biblical texts, such as Isaiah 44:2. Secondly, it highlights Unwavering Trust and Dependence, illustrating that the psalmist's faith is not merely a response to current crises but a lifelong, unbroken reliance on God through all stages of life. This foundational trust, built from birth, extends into the present challenges and future hopes. Finally, the verse culminates in the theme of Continual Praise and Worship, presenting unceasing adoration as the natural and ultimate response to such profound, lifelong faithfulness. "My praise shall be continually of thee" is a vow of perpetual gratitude and devotion, recognizing God as the sole object worthy of such unending worship, a commitment frequently expressed throughout the Psalms (e.g., Psalm 34:1).

EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

Key Word Analysis

  • Holden up (Hebrew, çâmak', H5564): The Hebrew verb סָמַךְ (H5564, çâmak') means "to prop," "to support," "to uphold," or "to sustain." It conveys a sense of strong, reliable support, like a pillar or a firm foundation. In this context, it vividly portrays God as the one who provided constant, foundational support to the psalmist from the earliest, most vulnerable moments of life, implying divine sustenance and protection even before conscious awareness.
  • Took (Hebrew, gâzâh', H1491): The Hebrew verb גָּזָה (H1491, gâzâh') is a primitive root meaning "to cut off," or "to portion out." When used in the context of birth, as here with "took me out of my mother's bowels," it signifies God's active and direct role in bringing the psalmist into the world, overseeing the process of birth and safe delivery. This highlights God's sovereignty over life itself and His personal involvement in the very beginning of the psalmist's existence, as if cutting the cord of dependence on the mother and establishing direct dependence on God.
  • Bowels (Hebrew, mêʻeh', H4578): The Hebrew noun מֵעֶה (H4578, mêʻeh') refers to "the intestines," or collectively, "the abdomen." Figuratively, it can denote "sympathy," and by implication, "the uterus" or "womb." In this verse, "out of my mother's bowels" (מִמְּעֵי אִמִּי) is an ancient Hebrew idiom for being born from the womb. It emphasizes the intimate, internal, and vulnerable space from which life emerges, underscoring God's direct involvement in the birthing process itself.
  • Praise (Hebrew, tᵉhillâh', H8416): The Hebrew noun תְּהִלָּה (H8416, tᵉhillâh') refers to "laudation," "praise," or specifically, "a hymn." It denotes a spontaneous, overflowing expression of worship and thanksgiving, often in song. The psalmist's declaration that "my praise shall be continually of thee" signifies a commitment to an unceasing, lifelong outpouring of adoration directed solely towards God, recognizing Him as the singular object of all honor and glory.
  • Continually (Hebrew, tâmîyd', H8548): The Hebrew adverb תָּמִיד (H8548, tâmîyd') means "continuance," "constant," or "constantly." It implies an indefinite extension, an unbroken state or action. In this verse, it emphasizes the perpetual nature of the psalmist's praise, indicating that it is not an occasional act but an ongoing, unbroken posture of worship and gratitude, reflecting God's own continuous faithfulness.

Verse Breakdown

  • "By thee have I been holden up from the womb": This clause establishes God as the primary agent of the psalmist's sustenance and support from the earliest possible moment of life. The imagery of being "holden up" suggests divine care, protection, and provision, implying that God's hand was upon the psalmist even in the pre-natal stage, ensuring their development and survival. It speaks to an intimate, personal, and continuous divine involvement from conception, highlighting God's foundational role in the psalmist's very existence.
  • "thou art he that took me out of my mother's bowels": This second clause reinforces the first, specifically identifying God as the one responsible for the psalmist's safe delivery into the world. The phrase "took me out of my mother's bowels" is a vivid, ancient Hebrew idiom for birth, emphasizing the act of being brought forth from the mother's womb. It portrays God not merely as a distant creator but as a personal agent, intimately involved in the very act of bringing life forth, underscoring His absolute claim and care over the psalmist's life from its inception.
  • "my praise [shall be] continually of thee": This final clause articulates the psalmist's committed response to such profound and enduring divine faithfulness. Recognizing God's lifelong care from the womb, the psalmist vows a perpetual, unceasing outpouring of praise. This is not merely a duty but a spontaneous, grateful acknowledgment that God alone is worthy of such continuous adoration, serving as the ultimate purpose and direction of the psalmist's life. It is a commitment to a life lived in constant worship, reflecting the continuous nature of God's grace.

Literary Devices

Psalms 71:6 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its profound message. Parallelism is evident in the two initial clauses, where "By thee have I been holden up from the womb" and "thou art he that took me out of my mother's bowels" express a similar idea of God's intimate involvement in the psalmist's earliest life, reinforcing the concept of divine care from inception. The phrase "took me out of my mother's bowels" uses Synecdoche, where "bowels" (referring to the internal organs or womb) stands in for the entire birthing process, creating a vivid and direct image of the place of origin. The entire verse functions as a powerful Declaration of Trust, where the psalmist recounts God's past actions as the foundation for present and future reliance. Finally, the concluding phrase, "my praise [shall be] continually of thee," serves as a Vow of Perpetual Praise, a common feature in the Psalms where the worshiper commits to ongoing adoration in response to God's faithfulness, emphasizing an unbroken commitment.

THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS

Psalms 71:6 offers a profound theological statement on God's comprehensive and intimate providence, extending from the earliest moments of life. It encapsulates the truth that God is not merely a distant creator but an ever-present, personal sustainer, deeply involved in the formation and preservation of each individual. This verse establishes a foundational pattern: God's past faithfulness serves as the bedrock for present trust and future hope, compelling a response of perpetual praise. It speaks to the inherent human dependence on a divine source for existence and flourishing, highlighting that our very being is a gift from God, calling forth a lifelong commitment to honor and worship Him. This deep-seated conviction empowers the psalmist to face present adversaries and future uncertainties, knowing that the God who brought them forth will also sustain them to the end.

REFLECTION AND APPLICATION

This verse invites us to pause and reflect on the profound truth of God's intimate involvement in our lives from the very beginning. Before we drew our first breath, before we were even aware, God was actively sustaining us, meticulously forming us, and bringing us forth into the world. This realization should cultivate an overwhelming sense of gratitude and a deep, abiding trust in His ongoing care. If God was faithful to uphold us in our most vulnerable, unconscious state, how much more can we trust Him with our conscious struggles, our fears, and our future? It challenges us to move beyond a transactional faith, where we only seek God in moments of crisis, to embrace a holistic, lifelong dependence and a commitment to continuous praise, regardless of our circumstances. Our praise should not be conditional on immediate blessings but an unceasing overflow of a heart that recognizes God as the source of all life and the faithful sustainer through every season.

Questions for Reflection

  • How does recognizing God's care from your birth impact your understanding of His providence in your current life?
  • In what ways can you cultivate a more "continual" practice of praise and gratitude in your daily life, even amidst challenges?
  • What specific areas of your life do you need to surrender more fully to the God who "holden up" you from the womb?

FAQ

Does "took me out of my mother's bowels" imply a literal physical extraction by God?

Answer: The phrase "took me out of my mother's bowels" (מִמְּעֵי אִמִּי, mim'ei immi) is an ancient Hebrew idiom for being born or delivered from the womb. It does not imply a literal physical extraction by God's hands in the way a human midwife would operate. Rather, it is a powerful anthropomorphic expression emphasizing God's sovereign and active role in overseeing and enabling the process of birth. It highlights that God is the ultimate orchestrator of life, intimately involved in bringing each individual into existence. This concept is consistent with other biblical passages that speak of God forming individuals in the womb (e.g., Psalm 139:13 and Job 10:8-12). It underscores divine providence and personal care from the very beginning of life.

CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT

Psalms 71:6, with its profound declaration of God's lifelong sustenance and the psalmist's commitment to perpetual praise, finds its ultimate and most glorious fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Just as the psalmist was "holden up from the womb" by God, so too was Jesus, the eternal Son, uniquely brought forth into the world by divine power, conceived by the Holy Spirit (compare Luke 1:35). His entire earthly life, from His miraculous birth to His perfect obedience, was a testament to God's sustaining hand. More profoundly, Jesus perfectly embodies the "continual praise" that the psalmist vows. His life was one unbroken act of worship and obedience to the Father, culminating in His ultimate act of self-giving on the cross, which was the most perfect offering of praise and obedience imaginable (compare Philippians 2:8). Through His death and resurrection, Christ became the ultimate "deliverer" (compare Romans 11:26), not merely from physical birth but from the spiritual bondage of sin and death, bringing forth new life for all who believe (compare John 3:3-5). Thus, our ability to offer continual praise, as the psalmist desired, is made possible only through Christ, who enables us to approach God with confidence and live lives that reflect His glory, fulfilling the ancient longing for unceasing adoration.

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Commentary on Psalms 71 verses 1–13

I. II. Main points1. 2. Sub-points(1.) (2.) Details

Two things in general David here prays for - that he might not be confounded and that his enemies and persecutors might be confounded.

I. He prays that he might never be made ashamed of his dependence upon God nor disappointed in his believing expectations from him. With this petition every true believer may come boldly to the throne of grace; for God will never disappoint the hope that is of his own raising. Now observe here,

1.How David professes his confidence in God, and with what pleasure and grateful variety of expression he repeats his profession of that confidence, still presenting the profession of it to God and pleading it with him. We praise God, and so please him, by telling him (if it be indeed true) what an entire confidence we have in him (Psa 71:1): "In thee, O Lord! and in thee only, do I put my trust. Whatever others do, I choose the God of Jacob for my help." Those that are entirely satisfied with God's all-sufficiency and the truth of his promise, and in dependence upon that, as sufficient to make them amends, are freely willing to do and suffer, to lose and venture, for him, may truly say, In thee, O Lord! do I put my trust. Those that will deal with God must deal upon trust; if we are shy of dealing with him, it is a sign we do not trust him. Thou art my rock and my fortress (Psa 71:3); and again, "Thou art my refuge, my strong refuge" (Psa 71:7); that is, "I fly to thee, and am sure to be safe in thee, and under thy protection. If thou secure me, none can hurt me. Thou art my hope and my trust" (Psa 71:5); that is, "thou hast proposed thyself to me in thy word as the proper object of my hope and trust; I have hoped in thee, and never found it in vain to do so."

2.How his confidence in God is supported and encouraged by his experiences (Psa 71:5, Psa 71:6): "Thou hast been my trust from my youth; ever since I was capable of discerning between my right hand and my left, I stayed myself upon thee, and saw a great deal of reason to do so; for by thee have I been holden up from the womb." Ever since he had the use of his reason he had been a dependent upon God's goodness, because ever since he had had a being he had been a monument of it. Note, The consideration of the gracious care which the divine Providence took of us in our birth and infancy should engage us to an early piety and constant devotedness to his honour. He that was our help from our birth ought to be our hope from our youth. If we received so much mercy from God before we were capable of doing him any service, we should lose no time when we are capable. This comes in here as a support to the psalmist in his present distress; not only that God had given him his life and being, bringing him out of his mother's bowels into the world, and providing that he should not die from the womb, nor give up the ghost when he came out of the belly, but that he had betimes made him one of his family: "Thou art he that took me out of my mother's bowels into the arms of thy grace, under the shadow of thy wings, into the bond of thy covenant; thou tookest me into thy church, as a son of thy handmaid, and born in thy house, Psa 116:16. And therefore," (1.) "I have reason to hope that thou wilt protect me; thou that hast held me up hitherto wilt not let me fall now; thou that madest me wilt not forsake the work of thy own hands; thou that helpedst me when I could not help myself wilt not abandon me now that I am as helpless as I was then." (2.) "Therefore I have reason to resolve that I will devote myself unto thee: My praise shall therefore be continually of thee;" that is, "I will make it my business every day to praise thee and will take all occasions to do it."

3.What his requests to God are, in this confidence.

(1.)That he might never be put to confusion (Psa 71:1), that he might not be disappointed of the mercy he expected and so made ashamed of his expectation. Thus we may all pray in faith that our confidence in God may not be our confusion. Hope of the glory of God is hope that makes not ashamed.

(2.)That he might be delivered out of the hand of his enemies (Psa 71:2): "Deliver me in thy righteousness. As thou art the righteous Judge of the world, pleading the cause of the injured and punishing the injurious, cause me in some way or other to escape" (God will, with the temptation, make a way to escape, Co1 10:13): "Incline thy ear unto my prayers, and, in answer to them, save me out of my troubles, Psa 71:4. Deliver me, O my God! out of the hands of those that are ready to pull me in pieces." Three things he pleads for deliverance: - [1.] The encouragement God had given him to expect it: Thou hast given commandment to save me (Psa 71:3); that is, thou hast promised to do it, and such efficacy is there in God's promises that they are often spoken of as commands, like that, Let there be light, and there was light. He speaks, and it is done. [2.] The character of his enemies; they are wicked, unrighteous, cruel men, and it will be for the honour of God to appear against them (Psa 71:4), for he is a holy, just, and good God. [3.] The many eyes that were upon him (Psa 71:7): "I am as a wonder unto many; every one waits to see what will be the issue of such extraordinary troubles as I have fallen into and such extraordinary confidence as I profess to have in God." Or, "I am looked upon as a monster, am one whom every body shuns, and therefore am undone if the Lord be not my refuge. Men abandon me, but God will not."

(3.)That he might always find rest and safety in God (Psa 71:3): Be thou my strong habitation; by thou to me a rock of repose, whereto I may continually resort. Those that are at home in God, that live a life of communion with him and confidence in him, that continually resort unto him by faith and prayer, having their eyes ever towards him, may promise themselves a strong habitation in him, such as will never fall of itself nor can ever be broken through by any invading power; and they shall be welcome to resort to him continually upon all occasions, and not be upbraided as coming too often.

(4.)That he might have continual matter for thanksgiving to God, and might be continually employed in that pleasant work (Psa 71:8): "Let my mouth be filled with thy praise, as now it is with my complaints, and then I shall not be ashamed of my hope, but my enemies will be ashamed of their insolence." Those that love God love to be praising him, and desire to be doing it all the day, not only in their morning and evening devotions, not only seven times a day (Psa 119:164), but all the day, to intermix with all they say something or other that may redound to the honour and praise of God. They resolve to do it while they live; they hope to be doing it eternally in a better world.

(5.)That he might not be neglected now in his declining years (Psa 71:9): Cast me not off now in the time of my old gage; forsake me not when my strength fails. Observe here, [1.] The natural sense he had of the infirmities of age: My strength fails. Where there was strength of body and vigour of mind, strong sight, a strong voice, strong limbs, alas! in old age they fail; the life is continued, but the strength is gone, or that which is his labour and sorrow, Psa 90:10. [2.] The gracious desire he had of the continuance of God's presence with him under these infirmities: Lord, cast me not off; do not then forsake me. This intimates that he should look upon himself as undone if God should abandon him. To be cast off and forsaken of God is a thing to be dreaded at any time, especially in the time of old age and when our strength fails us; for it is God that is the strength of our heart. But it intimates that he had reason to hope God would not desert him; the faithful servants of God may be comfortably assured that he will not cast them off in old age, nor forsake them when their strength fails them. He is a Master that is not wont to cast off old servants. In this confidence David here prays again (Psa 71:12): "O God! be not far from me; let me not be under the apprehension of thy withdrawings, for then I am miserable. I my God! a God in covenant with me, make haste for my help, lest I perish before help come."

II. He prays that his enemies might be made ashamed of their designs against him. Observe, 1. What it was which they unjustly said against him, Psa 71:10, Psa 71:11. Their plot was deep and desperate; it was against his life: They lay wait for my soul (Psa 71:10), and are adversaries to that, Psa 71:13. Their powers and policies were combined: They take counsel together. And very insolent they were in their deportment: They say, God has forsaken him; persecute and take him. Here their premises are utterly false, that because a good man was in great trouble and had continued long in it, and was not so soon delivered as perhaps he expected, therefore God had forsaken him and would have no more to do with him. All are not forsaken of God who think themselves so or whom others think to be so. And, as their premises were false, so their inference was barbarous. If God has forsaken him, then persecute and take him, and doubt not but to make a prey of him. This is talking to the grief of one whom God has smitten, Psa 69:26. But thus they endeavour to discourage David, as Sennacherib endeavoured to intimidate Hezekiah by suggesting that God was his enemy and fought against him. Have I now come up without the Lord against this city, to destroy it? Isa 36:10. It is true, if God has forsaken a man, there is none to deliver him; but therefore to insult over him ill becomes those who are conscious to themselves that they deserve to be for ever forsaken of God. But rejoice not against me, O my enemy! though I fall, I shall rise. He that seems to forsake for a small moment will gather with everlasting kindness. 2. What it was which he justly prayed for, from a spirit of prophecy, not a spirit of passion (Psa 71:13): "Let them be confounded and consumed that are adversaries to my soul. If they will not be confounded by repentance, and so saved, let them be confounded with everlasting dishonour, and so ruined." God will turn into shame the glory of those who turn into shame the glory of God and his people.

Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 1–13. Public domain.
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Augustine of HippoAD 430
Exposition on Psalm 71
Lastly, there follows the reason why I say this: "for You are my patience" [Psalm 71:5]. Now if He is patience rightly, He is that also which follows, "O Lord, my hope from my youth." My patience, because my hope: or rather my hope, because my patience. "Tribulation," says the Apostle, "works patience, patience probation, but probation hope, but hope confounds not." [Romans 5:3-5] With reason in You I have hoped, O Lord, I shall not be confounded for everlasting. "O Lord, my hope from my youth." From your youth is God your hope? Is He not also from your boyhood, and from your infancy? Certainly, says he. For see what follows, that you may not think that I have said this, "my hope from my youth," as if God noways profited mine infancy or my boyhood; hear what follows: "In You I have been strengthened from the womb." Hear yet: "From the belly of my mother You are my Protector" [Psalm 71:6]. Why then, "from my youth," except it was the period from which I began to hope in You? For before in You I was not hoping, though You were my Protector, that led me safe unto the time, when I learned to hope in You. But from my youth I began in You to hope, from the time when You armed me against the Devil, so that in the girding of Your host being armed with Your faith, love, hope, and the rest of Your gifts, I waged conflict against Your invisible enemies, and heard from the Apostle, "There is not for us a wrestling against flesh and blood, but against principalities, and powers," etc. [Ephesians 5:12] There a young man it is that does fight against these things: but though he be a young man, he falls, unless He be the hope of Him to whom he cries, "O Lord, my hope from my youth." "In You is my singing always." Is it only from the time when I began to hope in You until now? Nay, but "alway." What is, "alway"? Not only in the time of faith, but also in the time of sight. For now, "So long as we are in the body we are absent from the Lord: for by faith we walk, not by sight:" [2 Corinthians 5:6] there will be a time when we shall see that which being not seen we believe: but when that has been seen which we believe, we shall rejoice: but when that has been seen which they believed not, ungodly men shall be confounded. Then will come the substance whereof there is now the hope. But, "Hope which is seen is not hope. But if that which we see not we hope for, through patience we wait for it." [Romans 8:24] Now then you groan, now unto a place of refuge you run, in order that you may be saved; now being in infirmity you entreat the Physician: what, when you shall have received perfect soundness also, what when you shall have been made "equal to the Angels of God," [Matthew 22:30] will you then perchance forget that grace, whereby you have been delivered? Far be it.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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