I have leaned on You since birth; You pulled me from my mother's womb. My praise is always for You. From birthThe phrase "from birth" in Psalm 71:6 emphasizes the psalmist's recognition of God's presence and care from the very beginning of life. The Hebrew word used here, "מִבֶּטֶן" (mibeten), literally means "from the womb." This suggests a deep, intimate relationship with God that predates conscious memory. In a conservative Christian perspective, this highlights the belief in God's sovereignty and providence over every life, affirming that each person is known and loved by God even before they are born. This understanding is consistent with other scriptural affirmations of God's foreknowledge and care, such as Jeremiah 1:5, where God tells Jeremiah, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you." I have leaned on You
The phrase "I have leaned on You" conveys a sense of trust and dependence on God. The Hebrew root "שָׁעַן" (sha'an) means to lean, rest, or support oneself. This imagery of leaning suggests a reliance on God's strength and faithfulness, akin to a child leaning on a parent for support. In the historical context of the psalm, this trust is not passive but an active, ongoing relationship with God. For the believer, it is a reminder of the importance of faith and trust in God throughout life's journey, acknowledging that He is a constant source of strength and support. since You brought me forth
The phrase "since You brought me forth" further emphasizes God's role as the Creator and Sustainer of life. The Hebrew word "גָּזַר" (gazar) can be understood as "to cut" or "to bring forth," often used in the context of childbirth. This imagery reinforces the idea of God as the one who initiates life and continues to be involved in the life of the believer. It is a testament to God's intimate involvement in the details of our lives, from the moment of birth and throughout our existence. This understanding encourages believers to see their lives as part of God's divine plan and purpose. You are my praise
The declaration "You are my praise" is a profound expression of worship and gratitude. The Hebrew word "תְּהִלָּה" (tehillah) means praise or song of praise. This phrase indicates that the psalmist's life is a testament to God's goodness and faithfulness. In a conservative Christian perspective, this reflects the belief that our lives should be lived in a way that glorifies God, acknowledging Him as the source of all blessings and the one worthy of all praise. It is a call to live a life of worship, where every action and word is an offering of praise to God. This aligns with the broader biblical theme of living for God's glory, as seen in passages like 1 Corinthians 10:31, "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." Persons / Places / Events 1. The PsalmistTraditionally attributed to David, the psalmist is expressing a lifelong reliance on God, emphasizing a personal and intimate relationship with the Creator. 2. GodThe central figure in this verse, God is depicted as the sustainer and deliverer from birth, highlighting His providence and care. 3. Mother's WombThis phrase symbolizes the beginning of life and underscores God's involvement and care from the very start of the psalmist's existence. Teaching Points Lifelong Dependence on GodRecognize that our relationship with God is not just for moments of crisis but is a lifelong journey that begins even before we are aware of it. God's Sovereign CareTrust in God's providence and care, knowing that He has been involved in our lives from the very beginning. Praise as a Response to God's FaithfulnessCultivate a habit of praise, acknowledging God's continuous presence and support throughout our lives. Identity and Purpose in GodUnderstand that our identity and purpose are rooted in God's design and calling, which He has known since before our birth. Bible Study Questions 1. How does recognizing God's involvement from birth impact your understanding of His role in your life today? 2. In what ways can you cultivate a deeper sense of dependence on God in your daily life? 3. How does the concept of God pulling you from your mother's womb shape your view of your identity and purpose? 4. What are some practical ways you can incorporate praise into your daily routine as a response to God's faithfulness? 5. How do the connections to other scriptures, such as Jeremiah 1:5 and Isaiah 46:3-4, enhance your understanding of God's lifelong care and involvement? Connections to Other Scriptures Jeremiah 1:5This verse speaks of God's knowledge and consecration of Jeremiah before he was born, paralleling the theme of God's involvement from the womb. Isaiah 46:3-4These verses emphasize God's sustaining power from birth to old age, reinforcing the idea of lifelong reliance on God. Psalm 22:9-10Similar to Psalm 71:6, these verses express trust in God from birth, highlighting a continuous relationship with the divine. People Psalmist, SolomonPlaces JerusalemTopics Always, Birth, Body, Bowels, Continually, Cut, Draw, Forth, Holden, Leaned, Mother's, Myself, Praise, Relied, Stayed, Support, Supported, Sustained, WombDictionary of Bible Themes Psalm 71:6 1215 God, feminine descriptions
5199 womb
5655 birth
5973 unreliability Psalm 71:5-6 4016 life, human
8107 assurance, and life of faith Psalm 71:5-7 8215 confidence, results Library December 22. "My Tongue Also Shall Talk of Thy Righteousness all the Day Long" (Ps. Lxxi. 24).
"My tongue also shall talk of Thy righteousness all the day long" (Ps. lxxi. 24). It is a simple law of nature, that air always comes in to fill a vacuum. You can produce a draught at any time, by heating the air until it ascends, and then the cold air rushes in to supply its place. And so we can always be filled with the Holy Spirit by providing a vacuum. This breath is dependent upon exhausting the previous breath before you can inhale a fresh one. And so we must empty our hearts of the last breath …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth More and More
David had not been slack in praise: indeed, he was a sweet singer in Israel, a very choir-master unto the Lord yet he vowed to praise him more and more. Those who do much already, are usually the people who can do more. He was old. Would he praise God more when he was infirm than he had done when he was young and vigorous? If he could not excel with loudness of voice, yet would he with eagerness of heart; and what his praise might lack in sound, it should gain in solemn earnestness. He was in trouble …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 17: 1871 Of Four Things which Bring Great Peace
"My Son, now will I teach thee the way of peace and of true liberty." 2. Do, O my Lord, as Thou sayest, for this is pleasing unto me to hear. 3. "Strive, My Son, to do another's will rather than thine own. Choose always to have less rather than more. Seek always after the lowest place, and to be subject to all. Wish always and pray that the will of God be fulfilled in thee. Behold, such a man as this entereth into the inheritance of peace and quietness." 4. O my Lord, this Thy short discourse …
Thomas A Kempis—Imitation of Christ Of the Day of Eternity and of the Straitnesses of this Life
Oh most blessed mansion of the City which is above! Oh most clear day of eternity which the night obscureth not, but the Supreme Truth ever enlighteneth! Day always joyful, always secure and never changing its state into those which are contrary. Oh would that this day might shine forth, and that all these temporal things would come to an end. It shineth indeed upon the Saints, glowing with unending brightness, but only from afar and through a glass, upon those who are pilgrims on the earth. …
Thomas A Kempis—Imitation of Christ For Old Age. --Ps. Lxxi.
For Old Age.--Ps. lxxi. Lord, I have put my trust in Thee, Turn not my confidence to shame; Thy promise is a rock to me, A tower of refuge is Thy name. Thou hast upheld me from the womb; Thou wert my strength and hope in youth; Now trembling, bending o'er the tomb, I lean upon Thine arm of truth. Though I have long outlived my peers, And stand amid the world alone, (A stranger left by former years), I know my God,--by Him am known. Cast me not off in mine old age, Forsake me not in my last hour; …
James Montgomery—Sacred Poems and Hymns They all Hold Swords, Being Expert in War; Every Man Hath his Sword Upon his Thigh Because of Fear in the Night.
They all hold swords to engage in combat with the soul which, by a secret presumption, attributes to self what belongs to God only; and this causes them to exclaim with united voice; Who is like unto God? The Divine Righteousness is the first that comes to fight with and destroy the self-righteousness of the creature, and then comes strength to bring to naught the power of man, and causing him to enter by experience of his own infinite weakness into the strength of the Lord (Psalm lxxi. 16), teaches …
Madame Guyon—Song of Songs of Solomon Letter Xlv (Circa A. D. 1140) to the Canons of Lyons, on the Conception of S. Mary.
To the Canons of Lyons, on the Conception of S. Mary. Bernard states that the Festival of the Conception was new; that it rested on no legitimate foundation; and that it should not have been instituted without consulting the Apostolic See, to whose opinion he submits. 1. It is well known that among all the Churches of France that of Lyons is first in importance, whether we regard the dignity of its See, its praiseworthy regulations, or its honourable zeal for learning. Where was there ever the vigour …
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux The Baptismal Covenant Can be Kept Unbroken. Aim and Responsibility of Parents.
We have gone "to the Law and to the Testimony" to find out what the nature and benefits of Baptism are. We have gathered out of the Word all the principal passages bearing on this subject. We have grouped them together, and studied them side by side. We have noticed that their sense is uniform, clear, and strong. Unless we are willing to throw aside all sound principles of interpretation, we can extract from the words of inspiration only one meaning, and that is that the baptized child is, by virtue …
G. H. Gerberding—The Way of Salvation in the Lutheran Church But Concerning True Patience, Worthy of the Name of this virtue...
12. But concerning true patience, worthy of the name of this virtue, whence it is to be had, must now be inquired. For there are some [2650] who attribute it to the strength of the human will, not which it hath by Divine assistance, but which it hath of free-will. Now this error is a proud one: for it is the error of them which abound, of whom it is said in the Psalm, "A scornful reproof to them which abound, and a despising to the proud." [2651] It is not therefore that "patience of the poor" which …
St. Augustine—On Patience The Christian's Hope
Scripture references: 1 Timothy 1:1; Colossians 1:27; Psalm 130:5; 43:5; Proverbs 10:8; Acts 24:15; Psalm 71:5; Romans 5:1-5; 12:12; 15:4; 1 Corinthians 9:10; Galatians 5:5; Ephesians 1:18; Philippians 1:20; Colossians 1:5; 1 Thessalonians 1:3; 2:19; Titus 1:2; 2:13; 3:7; Psalm 31:24; 71:14,15. HOPE IN THE PRESENT LIFE That which a man ardently hopes for he strives to realize. If he desires fame, office or wealth he will seek to set forces in motion, here and now, which will bring him that which …
Henry T. Sell—Studies in the Life of the Christian Let Thus Much have Been Said with Regard to Charity...
20. Let thus much have been said with regard to charity, without which in us there cannot be true patience, because in good men it is the love of God which endureth all things, as in bad men the lust of the world. But this love is in us by the Holy Spirit which was given us. Whence, of Whom cometh in us love, of Him cometh patience. But the lust of the world, when it patiently bears the burdens of any manner of calamity, boasts of the strength of its own will, like as of the stupor of disease, not …
St. Augustine—On Patience Psalms
The piety of the Old Testament Church is reflected with more clearness and variety in the Psalter than in any other book of the Old Testament. It constitutes the response of the Church to the divine demands of prophecy, and, in a less degree, of law; or, rather, it expresses those emotions and aspirations of the universal heart which lie deeper than any formal demand. It is the speech of the soul face to face with God. Its words are as simple and unaffected as human words can be, for it is the genius …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Psalm 71:6 NIVPsalm 71:6 NLTPsalm 71:6 ESVPsalm 71:6 NASBPsalm 71:6 KJV
Psalm 71:6 Commentaries
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