15My mouth will tell about your righteousness, and of your salvation all day, though I don’t know its full measure.
16I will come with the mighty acts of the Lord Yahweh. I will make mention of your righteousness, even of yours alone.
17God, you have taught me from my youth. Until now, I have declared your wondrous works.
18Yes, even when I am old and gray-haired, God, don’t forsake me, until I have declared your strength to the next generation, your might to everyone who is to come.
15 My mouth will tell about your righteousness, and of your salvation all day, though I don’t know its full measure.
16 I will come with the mighty acts of the Lord Yahweh. I will make mention of your righteousness, even of yours alone.
17 God, you have taught me from my youth. Until now, I have declared your wondrous works.
18 Yes, even when I am old and gray-haired, God, don’t forsake me, until I have declared your strength to the next generation, your might to everyone who is to come.
KJVKing James Version
15 My mouth shall shew forth thy righteousness and thy salvation all the day; for I know not the numbers thereof.
16 I will go in the strength of the Lord GOD: I will make mention of thy righteousness, even of thine only.
17 O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works.
18 Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come.
Show all 3 translations
JPSJPS Tanakh (1917)
15 My mouth shall tell of Thy righteousness, and of Thy salvation all the day; for I know not the numbers thereof.
16 I will come with Thy mighty acts, O Lord GOD; I will make mention of Thy righteousness, even of Thine only.
17 O God, Thou hast taught me from my youth; and until now do I declare Thy wondrous works.
18 And even unto old age and hoary hairs, O God, forsake me not; until I have declared Thy strength unto the next generation, Thy might to every one that is to come.
Isaiah 46:4(v18)Even to old age I am he, and even to gray hairs I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear. Yes, I will carry, and will deliver.
Psalms 40:5(v15)Many, Yahweh, my God, are the wonderful works which you have done, and your thoughts which are toward us. They can’t be declared back to…
Psalms 71:9(v18)Don’t reject me in my old age. Don’t forsake me when my strength fails.
Psalms 78:4(v18)We will not hide them from their children, telling to the generation to come the praises of Yahweh, his strength, and his wondrous deeds…
Psalms 35:28(v15)My tongue shall talk about your righteousness and about your praise all day long.
Show all 59 cross-references
Psalms 145:4-5(v18)One generation will commend your works to another, and will declare your mighty acts. I will meditate on the glorious majesty of your…
Psalms 71:8(v15)My mouth shall be filled with your praise, with your honor all day long.
Psalms 78:6(v18)that the generation to come might know, even the children who should be born; who should arise and tell their children,
Psalms 139:17-18(v15)How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is their sum! If I would count them, they are more in number than the sand. When I wake…
Psalms 145:2(v15)Every day I will praise you. I will extol your name forever and ever.
Psalms 145:5-14(v15)I will meditate on the glorious majesty of your honor, on your wondrous works. Men will speak of the might of your awesome acts. I will…
Psalms 71:24(vv15–16)My tongue will also talk about your righteousness all day long, for they are disappointed, and they are confounded, who want to harm me.
Psalms 40:9-10(v15)I have proclaimed glad news of righteousness in the great assembly. Behold, I will not seal my lips, Yahweh, you know. I have not hidden…
Psalms 89:16(v15)In your name they rejoice all day. In your righteousness, they are exalted.
Philippians 4:13(v16)I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.
Exodus 13:14-17(v18)It shall be, when your son asks you in time to come, saying, ‘What is this?’ that you shall tell him, ‘By strength of hand Yahweh brought…
Psalms 22:22-25(v15)I will declare your name to my brothers. Among the assembly, I will praise you. You who fear Yahweh, praise him! All you descendants of…
Psalms 22:31(v18)They shall come and shall declare his righteousness to a people that shall be born, for he has done it.
Psalms 30:12(v15)to the end that my heart may sing praise to you, and not be silent. Yahweh my God, I will give thanks to you forever!
Psalms 119:9(v17)How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word.
Psalms 40:12(v15)For innumerable evils have surrounded me. My iniquities have overtaken me, so that I am not able to look up. They are more than the hairs…
Psalms 71:5(v17)For you are my hope, Lord Yahweh, my confidence from my youth.
Psalms 119:102(v17)I have not turned away from your ordinances, for you have taught me.
Philippians 3:9(v16)and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own, that which is of the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the…
Deuteronomy 4:5(v17)Behold, I have taught you statutes and ordinances, even as Yahweh my God commanded me, that you should do so in the middle of the land…
1 Samuel 4:18(v18)When he made mention of God’s ark, Eli fell from off his seat backward by the side of the gate; and his neck broke, and he died, for he was…
Psalms 29:11(v16)Yahweh will give strength to his people. Yahweh will bless his people with peace.
Psalms 51:14(v16)Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, the God of my salvation. My tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness.
Isaiah 51:9(v18)Awake, awake, put on strength, arm of Yahweh! Awake, as in the days of old, the generations of ancient times. Isn’t it you who cut Rahab in…
Zechariah 10:12(v16)I will strengthen them in Yahweh; and they will walk up and down in his name,” says Yahweh.
Matthew 6:33(v16)But seek first God’s Kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things will be given to you as well.
Exodus 13:8(v18)You shall tell your son in that day, saying, ‘It is because of that which Yahweh did for me when I came out of Egypt.’
Psalms 71:2(v16)Deliver me in your righteousness, and rescue me. Turn your ear to me, and save me.
Psalms 71:15(v16)My mouth will tell about your righteousness, and of your salvation all day, though I don’t know its full measure.
Isaiah 63:7(v16)I will tell of the loving kindnesses of Yahweh and the praises of Yahweh, according to all that Yahweh has given to us, and the great…
Ephesians 3:16(v16)that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, that you may be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inner…
Ephesians 6:10(v16)Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his might.
2 Thessalonians 1:6(v16)Since it is a righteous thing with God to repay affliction to those who afflict you,
Genesis 27:1(v18)When Isaac was old, and his eyes were dim, so that he could not see, he called Esau his elder son, and said to him, “My son?” He said to…
Deuteronomy 33:25(v16)Your bars will be iron and bronze. As your days, so your strength will be.
1 Samuel 4:15(v18)Now Eli was ninety-eight years old. His eyes were set, so that he could not see.
1 Samuel 17:36-37(v17)Your servant struck both the lion and the bear. This uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, since he has defied the armies of…
2 Samuel 4:9(v17)David answered Rechab and Baanah his brother, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, and said to them, “As Yahweh lives, who has redeemed my…
Psalms 26:7(v17)that I may make the voice of thanksgiving to be heard and tell of all your wondrous deeds.
Psalms 66:16(v17)Come and hear, all you who fear God. I will declare what he has done for my soul.
Psalms 71:19(v16)Your righteousness also, God, reaches to the heavens; you have done great things. God, who is like you?
Psalms 106:2(v16)Who can utter the mighty acts of Yahweh, or fully declare all his praise?
Isaiah 26:13(v16)Yahweh our God, other lords besides you have had dominion over us, but we will only acknowledge your name.
Isaiah 40:31(v16)but those who wait for Yahweh will renew their strength. They will mount up with wings like eagles. They will run, and not be weary. They…
Isaiah 45:24-25(v16)They will say of me, ‘There is righteousness and strength only in Yahweh.’ ” Even to him will men come. All those who raged against him…
Isaiah 53:1(v18)Who has believed our message? To whom has Yahweh’s arm been revealed?
Acts 13:36(v18)For David, after he had in his own generation served the counsel of God, fell asleep, was laid with his fathers, and saw decay.
Romans 1:17(v16)For in it is revealed God’s righteousness from faith to faith. As it is written, “But the righteous shall live by faith.”
Romans 3:21(v16)But now apart from the law, a righteousness of God has been revealed, being testified by the law and the prophets;
Romans 10:3(v16)For being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, they didn’t subject themselves to the…
2 Timothy 2:1(v16)You therefore, my child, be strengthened in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
2 Samuel 22:1-51(v17)David spoke to Yahweh the words of this song in the day that Yahweh delivered him out of the hand of all his enemies, and out of the hand…
1 Chronicles 16:4-36(v17)He appointed some of the Levites to minister before Yahweh’s ark, and to commemorate, to thank, and to praise Yahweh, the God of Israel:…
1 Chronicles 29:10-30(v18)Therefore David blessed Yahweh before all the assembly; and David said, “You are blessed, Yahweh, the God of Israel our father, forever and…
59 distinct cross-references across this passage (60 total citations).
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this passage (16 sources)
Historical commentary, presented as a primary source — not an endorsement.
John Calvin1540 · Public DomainOn vv15–1715. My mouth shall recount thy righteousness Here he…
15. My mouth shall recount thy righteousness Here he expresses more clearly what sacrifice of praise he resolved to present to God, promising to proclaim continually his righteousness and salvation. I have often before had occasion to observe, that the righteousness of God does not mean that property of his nature by which he renders to every man his own, but the faithfulness which he observes towards his own people, when he cherishes, defends, and delivers them. Hence the inestimable consolation which arises from learning that our salvation is so inseparably linked with the righteousness of God, as to have the same stability with this Divine attribute. The salvation of God, it is very evident, is taken in this place actively. The Psalmist connects this salvation with righteousness, as the effect with the cause; for his confident persuasion of obtaining salvation proceeded solely from reflecting that God is righteous, and that he cannot deny himself. As he had been saved so often, and in so many different ways, and so wonderfully, he engages to apply himself continually to the celebration of the grace of God. The particle כי, ki, which we have translated for, is by some rendered adversatively although, and explained in this way: Although the salvation of God is to me incomprehensible, and transcends my capacity, yet I will recount it. But the proper signification of the word is more suitable in this place, there being nothing which ought to be more effectual in kindling and exciting our hearts to sing the praises of God, than the innumerable benefits which he has bestowed upon us. Although our hearts may not be affected from having experienced only one or two of the Divine benefits; although they may remain cold and unmoved by a small number of them, yet our ingratitude is inexcusable, if we are not awakened from our torpor and indifference when an innumerable multitude of them are lavished upon us. Let us learn then not to taste of the goodness of God slightly, and, as it were, with loathing, but to apply all our faculties to it in all its amplitude, that it may ravish us with admiration. It is surprising that the authors of the Greek version ever thought of translating this clause, I have not known learning, an error unworthy of being noticed, were it not that some fanatics in former times, to flatter themselves in their ignorance, boasted that, after the example of David, all learning and liberal sciences should be despised; even as, in the present day, the Anabaptists have no other pretext for boasting of being spiritual persons, but that they are grossly ignorant of all science.
John Calvin's Commentaries (1540-1563) — public domain. Text from the Calvin Translation Society English edition (1840s-50s) via the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (ccel.org). Calvin's coverage is partial (roughly two-thirds of the Bible); uncommented books and verses are honest gaps, never fabricated. The 19th-century editor's footnotes and remarks are omitted so the notes are faithfully Calvin's own voice.
Geneva Bible translators1599 · Public DomainOn vv15, 16, 18Because thy benefits toward me are innumerable, I cannot…
Because thy benefits toward me are innumerable, I cannot but continually meditate and rehearse them.
Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.
John Trapp1656 · Public DomainOn vv15–18Psa 71:15 My mouth shall shew forth thy righteousness…
Psa 71:15 My mouth shall shew forth thy righteousness [and] thy salvation all the day; for I know not the numbers [thereof].
Ver. 15. My mouth shall show forth thy righteousness and thy salvation] Lo, here, a sweet and comfortable conjunction of God’s righteousness and our salvation. See 2Th 1:6-7.
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For I know not the numbers thereof] Or, though I know not, &c., by a modest correction, since they may be celebrated, but not enumerated.
Littora quot conchas, quot amaena rosaria flores,
Quotve soporiferum grana papaver habet:
Sylva feras quot alit, quot piscibus unda natatur,
Et tenerum pennis acra pulsar avis (Ovid.).
So many, and ten thousand times more, are God’s lovingkindnesses. The psalmist elsewhere venteth himself by an exclamation, Psa 31:19. {See Trapp on "Psa 31:19"}
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole1685 · Public DomainOn vv15–18i.e. Of thy salvations and mercies vouchsafed to me,…
i.e. Of thy salvations and mercies vouchsafed to me, which being innumerable, oblige me the more to celebrate thy praises.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
John Gill1763 · Public DomainOn vv15–18My mouth shall show forth thy righteousness,.... Both his…
My mouth shall show forth thy righteousness,.... Both his punitive justice in taking vengeance on his enemies, agreeably to the above imprecations; and his faithfulness in the performance of promises of good things unto him; as also his essential righteousness displayed and glorified in the redemption that is by Christ; and particularly the righteousness of Christ, accepted of God, and imputed by him; which the psalmist with his mouth declared his faith in, expressed his joy at, and set forth in a strong manner the glory and excellency of it, and determined to make mention of it, and of that only, as in Psa 71:16;
and thy salvation all the day; both temporal and eternal; the glory of both, and praise for the same;
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for I know not the numbers thereof; of that righteousness and salvation, the numerous blessings which are contained in them; see Psa 40:5; or "though I know not the numbers of them" (c); though he could not fully declare the glories and excellencies of the righteousness and salvation of God, and the numerous mercies and rich grace included in them; yet he would attempt to set them forth in the best way he could, though in a feeble and imperfect manner.
(c) "quamvis", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Gejerus; So Ainsworth.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Wesley1765 · Public DomainOn vv15–16The numbers - Of thy salvations and mercies vouchsafed…
The numbers - Of thy salvations and mercies vouchsafed to me.
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Adam Clarke1810 · Public DomainOn vv15–18Verse 15. I know not the numbers] I must…
Verse 15. I know not the numbers] I must be continually in the spirit of gratitude, praise, and obedience, for thy blessings to me are innumerable.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Joseph Benson1811 · Public DomainOn vv17–18Psa 71:17. O God, thou hast taught me from…
Psa 71:17. O God, thou hast taught me from my youth — By the instruction of my parents, by thy word and Spirit enlightening and convincing me, and also by my own experience, namely, concerning thy righteousness last mentioned, the wondrous effects whereof I have received and declared from time to time. Observe here, reader, as it is a great blessing to be taught of God from our youth, from our childhood to know the Holy Scriptures, and the important truths revealed, the privileges exhibited, and the duties inculcated therein; so those that have been favoured and received good in this way, when they were young, must be doing good when they are grown up, and must continue to communicate what they have received.
Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Albert Barnes1834 · Public DomainOn vv15–18My mouth shall show forth thy righteousness ... -…
My mouth shall show forth thy righteousness ... - See the notes at Psa 71:8. The word “righteousness” here refers to the righteous character of God, particularly as manifested in his behalf; the word “salvation” refers to what God had done to deliver him from his dangers.
For I know not the numbers thereof - That is, I cannot estimate the amount of thy favors; they are innumerable. See the notes at Psa 40:5.
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Daniel D. Whedon1874 · Public DomainOn vv15–1815. Thy righteousness and thy salvation—Two words literally translated…
15. Thy righteousness and thy salvation—Two words literally translated and everywhere well defined. “God’s salvation stands to his righteousness in the relation of effect to cause. God has pledged himself to save those who put their trust in him, and as a righteous God he cannot deny himself.”—Perowne. Compare Heb_6:10. See note on Psa_71:19.
I know not the numbers—That is, the limits, or measures, (Furst,) of the righteousness and salvation just spoken of. But the Hebrew word, which occurs nowhere else, may be taken in the sense of enumerations, as in English version, and applied to God’s acts of righteousness and salvation; and in this sense corresponds with the declarations of Psa_40:5; Psa_139:17-18. In either sense, however, the doctrine is the same. These numberless and limitless mercies call for endless praises.
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges1878 · Public DomainOn vv15–1815. My mouth shall tell of thy righteousness,
15. My mouth shall tell of thy righteousness,
And of thy salvation all the day;
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For I know not the tale thereof.
Salvation is coupled with righteousness, because the one is the outcome and visible manifestation of the other. Cp. Psa_71:2; Isa_45:21. There is a play in the Heb. on the words tell and tale. They are derived from the same root, which, like tell in old English, means both to count and to recount. God’s mercies are an inexhaustible theme. Cp. Psa_40:5; Psa_139:17-18.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers1878 · Public DomainOn vv15, 16, 18(15) Comp. Psa_40:5, which indicates the meaning here. Mere…
(15) Comp. Psa_40:5, which indicates the meaning here. Mere reminiscence must give place to actual calculation, which too must fail before the sense of Divine interference in his favour.
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary1880 · Public DomainOn vv15–18My mouth shall show forth thy righteousness and thy…
My mouth shall show forth thy righteousness and thy salvation all the day. Salvation is inseparable from righteousness. It is as being righteous himself that God accepts the righteous, and as faithful to his promises, which is a part of his righteousness, that he pardons penitents. For I know not the numbers thereof. (comp. Psa_40:5) God"s acts of pardoning mercy, by which he brings about the salvation of penitents, are innumerable.
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Charles H. Spurgeon1885 · Public DomainOn vv15–18Ver. 15. My mouth shall shew forth thy righteousness…
Ver. 15. My mouth shall shew forth thy righteousness and thy salvation all the day. We are to bear testimony as experience enables us, and not withhold from others that which we have tasted and handled. The faithfulness of God in saving us, in delivering us out of the hand of our enemies, and in fulfilling his promises, is to be everywhere proclaimed by those who have proved it in their own history. How gloriously conspicuous is righteousness in the divine plan of redemption! It should be the theme of constant discourse. The devil rages against the substitutionary sacrifice, and errorists of every form make this the main point of their attack; be it ours, therefore, to love the doctrine, and to spread its glad tidings on every side, and at all times. Mouths are never so usefully employed as in recounting the righteousness of God revealed in the salvation of believers in Jesus. The preacher who should be confined to this one theme would never need seek another: it is the medulla theologae, the very pith and marrow of revealed truth. Has our reader been silent upon this choice subject? Let us, then, press him to tell abroad what he enjoys within: he does not well who keeps such glad tidings to himself.
For I know not the numbers thereof. He knew the sweetness of it, the sureness, the glory, and the truth of it; but as to the full reckoning of its plenitude, variety, and sufficiency, he felt he could not reach to the height of the great argument. Lord, where I cannot count I will believe, and when a truth surpasses numeration I will take to admiration. When David spoke of his enemies, he said they were more in number than the hairs of his head; he had, therefore, some idea of their number, and found a figure suitable to set it out; but, in the case of the Lord's covenant mercies, he declares, "I know not the number, "and does not venture upon any sort of comparison. To creatures belong number and limit, to God and his grace there is neither. We may, therefore, continue to tell out his great salvation all day long, for the theme is utterly inexhaustible.
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Ver. 15. The righteousness of God, here mentioned, includes not only the rectitude of his nature, and the equity of his proceedings, but likewise that everlasting righteousness which his Son hath brought in for our justification. God's righteousness and salvation are here joined together; and, therefore, let no man think to put them asunder, or expect salvation without righteousness. Mrs. Thomson.
Ver. 15. I know not the numbers. David began his arithmetic, in Ps 71:14, with addition: "I will yet praise thee more and more; "but he is fairly beaten in this first rule of sacred mathematics. His calculation fails him, the mere enumeration of the Lord's mercies overwhelms his mind; he owns his inadequacy. Reckon either by time, by place, or by value, and the salvation of God baffles all powers of estimation. C. H. S.
Ver. 15.
I. The determination avowed.
1. To recount the instances of the divine faithfulness in his deliverances.
2. To recount them publicly: My mouth, etc.
3. Constantly: All the day. II. The reason assigned: For I know not, etc. "Eternity's too short to utter all thy praise." Therefore I begin it now, and will continue it.
Psalms 71:16*
Charles H. Spurgeon's The Treasury of David (1869–1885) — public domain. Psalms only. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
The Biblical Illustrator1887 · Public DomainOn vv15–17My mouth shall show forth Thy righteousness and Thy…
Psa_71:15
My mouth shall show forth Thy righteousness and Thy salvation all the day; for I know not the numbers thereof.
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An inexhaustible subject
This psalmists words may well be a pattern for old men, who need fear no failure of buoyancy, nor any collapse of gladness, if they will fix their thoughts where this singer did his. Other subjects of thought and speech will pall and run dry; but he whose theme is Gods righteousness and the salvation that flows from it will never lack materials for animating meditation and grateful praise. I know not the numbers thereof. It is something to have fast hold of an inexhaustible subject. It will keep an old man young. (A. Maclaren, D. D.)
Witnessing of Gods grace and salvation
We may wrongly hide our religion so that it evaporates. Too many professing Christians put away their religion as careless housewives might do some precious perfume, Had when they go to take it out, they find nothing but a rotten cork, a faint odour and an empty flask. Take care of burying your religion so deep as dogs do bones, that you cannot find it again, or, if you do, discover when you open the coffin that it holds only a handful of dry dust. (A. Maclaren, D. D.)
The Biblical Illustrator, edited by Joseph S. Exell (c. 1880s–1900s) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0On v17taught me
taught me
The implied information may be stated clearly. "taught me many things" (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)
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God, do not forsake me
"God, please do not forsake me"
I have been declaring your strength
The abstract noun "strength" can be translated with a verbal phrase. AT: "I have been telling how strong you are" (See: Abstract Nouns)
to the next generation
"to those who are children today"
your power to everyone who is to come
The omitted information may be stated clearly. AT: "and as I declare your power to everyone who is to come" (See: Ellipsis)
everyone who is to come
This exaggeration refers to everyone the writer can speak to. AT: "so as many people as I can tell will know" (See: Hyperbole and Generalization)
GEBible — Godless Engineer's Bible App
John Calvin 1540 · Public Domain On vv15–17 15. My mouth shall recount thy righteousness Here he…
15. My mouth shall recount thy righteousness Here he expresses more clearly what sacrifice of praise he resolved to present to God, promising to proclaim continually his righteousness and salvation. I have often before had occasion to observe, that the righteousness of God does not mean that property of his nature by which he renders to every man his own, but the faithfulness which he observes towards his own people, when he cherishes, defends, and delivers them. Hence the inestimable consolation which arises from learning that our salvation is so inseparably linked with the righteousness of God, as to have the same stability with this Divine attribute. The salvation of God, it is very evident, is taken in this place actively. The Psalmist connects this salvation with righteousness, as the effect with the cause; for his confident persuasion of obtaining salvation proceeded solely from reflecting that God is righteous, and that he cannot deny himself. As he had been saved so often, and in so many different ways, and so wonderfully, he engages to apply himself continually to the celebration of the grace of God. The particle כי, ki, which we have translated for, is by some rendered adversatively although, and explained in this way: Although the salvation of God is to me incomprehensible, and transcends my capacity, yet I will recount it. But the proper signification of the word is more suitable in this place, there being nothing which ought to be more effectual in kindling and exciting our hearts to sing the praises of God, than the innumerable benefits which he has bestowed upon us. Although our hearts may not be affected from having experienced only one or two of the Divine benefits; although they may remain cold and unmoved by a small number of them, yet our ingratitude is inexcusable, if we are not awakened from our torpor and indifference when an innumerable multitude of them are lavished upon us. Let us learn then not to taste of the goodness of God slightly, and, as it were, with loathing, but to apply all our faculties to it in all its amplitude, that it may ravish us with admiration. It is surprising that the authors of the Greek version ever thought of translating this clause, I have not known learning, an error unworthy of being noticed, were it not that some fanatics in former times, to flatter themselves in their ignorance, boasted that, after the example of David, all learning and liberal sciences should be despised; even as, in the present day, the Anabaptists have no other pretext for boasting of being spiritual persons, but that they are grossly ignorant of all science.
John Calvin's Commentaries (1540-1563) — public domain. Text from the Calvin Translation Society English edition (1840s-50s) via the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (ccel.org). Calvin's coverage is partial (roughly two-thirds of the Bible); uncommented books and verses are honest gaps, never fabricated. The 19th-century editor's footnotes and remarks are omitted so the notes are faithfully Calvin's own voice.
Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain On vv15, 16, 18 Because thy benefits toward me are innumerable, I cannot…
Because thy benefits toward me are innumerable, I cannot but continually meditate and rehearse them.
Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv15–18 Psa 71:15 My mouth shall shew forth thy righteousness…
Psa 71:15 My mouth shall shew forth thy righteousness [and] thy salvation all the day; for I know not the numbers [thereof].
Ver. 15. My mouth shall show forth thy righteousness and thy salvation] Lo, here, a sweet and comfortable conjunction of God’s righteousness and our salvation. See 2Th 1:6-7.
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For I know not the numbers thereof] Or, though I know not, &c., by a modest correction, since they may be celebrated, but not enumerated.
Littora quot conchas, quot amaena rosaria flores,
Quotve soporiferum grana papaver habet:
Sylva feras quot alit, quot piscibus unda natatur,
Et tenerum pennis acra pulsar avis (Ovid.).
So many, and ten thousand times more, are God’s lovingkindnesses. The psalmist elsewhere venteth himself by an exclamation, Psa 31:19. {See Trapp on "Psa 31:19"}
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain On vv15–18 i.e. Of thy salvations and mercies vouchsafed to me,…
i.e. Of thy salvations and mercies vouchsafed to me, which being innumerable, oblige me the more to celebrate thy praises.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv15–18 My mouth shall show forth thy righteousness,.... Both his…
My mouth shall show forth thy righteousness,.... Both his punitive justice in taking vengeance on his enemies, agreeably to the above imprecations; and his faithfulness in the performance of promises of good things unto him; as also his essential righteousness displayed and glorified in the redemption that is by Christ; and particularly the righteousness of Christ, accepted of God, and imputed by him; which the psalmist with his mouth declared his faith in, expressed his joy at, and set forth in a strong manner the glory and excellency of it, and determined to make mention of it, and of that only, as in Psa 71:16;
and thy salvation all the day; both temporal and eternal; the glory of both, and praise for the same;
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for I know not the numbers thereof; of that righteousness and salvation, the numerous blessings which are contained in them; see Psa 40:5; or "though I know not the numbers of them" (c); though he could not fully declare the glories and excellencies of the righteousness and salvation of God, and the numerous mercies and rich grace included in them; yet he would attempt to set them forth in the best way he could, though in a feeble and imperfect manner.
(c) "quamvis", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Gejerus; So Ainsworth.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain On vv15–16 The numbers - Of thy salvations and mercies vouchsafed…
The numbers - Of thy salvations and mercies vouchsafed to me.
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On vv15–18 Verse 15. I know not the numbers] I must…
Verse 15. I know not the numbers] I must be continually in the spirit of gratitude, praise, and obedience, for thy blessings to me are innumerable.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain On vv17–18 Psa 71:17. O God, thou hast taught me from…
Psa 71:17. O God, thou hast taught me from my youth — By the instruction of my parents, by thy word and Spirit enlightening and convincing me, and also by my own experience, namely, concerning thy righteousness last mentioned, the wondrous effects whereof I have received and declared from time to time. Observe here, reader, as it is a great blessing to be taught of God from our youth, from our childhood to know the Holy Scriptures, and the important truths revealed, the privileges exhibited, and the duties inculcated therein; so those that have been favoured and received good in this way, when they were young, must be doing good when they are grown up, and must continue to communicate what they have received.
Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain On vv15–18 My mouth shall show forth thy righteousness ... -…
My mouth shall show forth thy righteousness ... - See the notes at Psa 71:8. The word “righteousness” here refers to the righteous character of God, particularly as manifested in his behalf; the word “salvation” refers to what God had done to deliver him from his dangers.
For I know not the numbers thereof - That is, I cannot estimate the amount of thy favors; they are innumerable. See the notes at Psa 40:5.
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain On vv15–18 15. Thy righteousness and thy salvation—Two words literally translated…
15. Thy righteousness and thy salvation—Two words literally translated and everywhere well defined. “God’s salvation stands to his righteousness in the relation of effect to cause. God has pledged himself to save those who put their trust in him, and as a righteous God he cannot deny himself.”—Perowne. Compare Heb_6:10. See note on Psa_71:19.
I know not the numbers—That is, the limits, or measures, (Furst,) of the righteousness and salvation just spoken of. But the Hebrew word, which occurs nowhere else, may be taken in the sense of enumerations, as in English version, and applied to God’s acts of righteousness and salvation; and in this sense corresponds with the declarations of Psa_40:5; Psa_139:17-18. In either sense, however, the doctrine is the same. These numberless and limitless mercies call for endless praises.
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv15–18 15. My mouth shall tell of thy righteousness,
15. My mouth shall tell of thy righteousness,
And of thy salvation all the day;
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For I know not the tale thereof.
Salvation is coupled with righteousness, because the one is the outcome and visible manifestation of the other. Cp. Psa_71:2; Isa_45:21. There is a play in the Heb. on the words tell and tale. They are derived from the same root, which, like tell in old English, means both to count and to recount. God’s mercies are an inexhaustible theme. Cp. Psa_40:5; Psa_139:17-18.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain On vv15, 16, 18 (15) Comp. Psa_40:5, which indicates the meaning here. Mere…
(15) Comp. Psa_40:5, which indicates the meaning here. Mere reminiscence must give place to actual calculation, which too must fail before the sense of Divine interference in his favour.
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On vv15–18 My mouth shall show forth thy righteousness and thy…
My mouth shall show forth thy righteousness and thy salvation all the day. Salvation is inseparable from righteousness. It is as being righteous himself that God accepts the righteous, and as faithful to his promises, which is a part of his righteousness, that he pardons penitents. For I know not the numbers thereof. (comp. Psa_40:5) God"s acts of pardoning mercy, by which he brings about the salvation of penitents, are innumerable.
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Charles H. Spurgeon 1885 · Public Domain On vv15–18 Ver. 15. My mouth shall shew forth thy righteousness…
Ver. 15. My mouth shall shew forth thy righteousness and thy salvation all the day. We are to bear testimony as experience enables us, and not withhold from others that which we have tasted and handled. The faithfulness of God in saving us, in delivering us out of the hand of our enemies, and in fulfilling his promises, is to be everywhere proclaimed by those who have proved it in their own history. How gloriously conspicuous is righteousness in the divine plan of redemption! It should be the theme of constant discourse. The devil rages against the substitutionary sacrifice, and errorists of every form make this the main point of their attack; be it ours, therefore, to love the doctrine, and to spread its glad tidings on every side, and at all times. Mouths are never so usefully employed as in recounting the righteousness of God revealed in the salvation of believers in Jesus. The preacher who should be confined to this one theme would never need seek another: it is the medulla theologae, the very pith and marrow of revealed truth. Has our reader been silent upon this choice subject? Let us, then, press him to tell abroad what he enjoys within: he does not well who keeps such glad tidings to himself.
For I know not the numbers thereof. He knew the sweetness of it, the sureness, the glory, and the truth of it; but as to the full reckoning of its plenitude, variety, and sufficiency, he felt he could not reach to the height of the great argument. Lord, where I cannot count I will believe, and when a truth surpasses numeration I will take to admiration. When David spoke of his enemies, he said they were more in number than the hairs of his head; he had, therefore, some idea of their number, and found a figure suitable to set it out; but, in the case of the Lord's covenant mercies, he declares, "I know not the number, "and does not venture upon any sort of comparison. To creatures belong number and limit, to God and his grace there is neither. We may, therefore, continue to tell out his great salvation all day long, for the theme is utterly inexhaustible.
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Ver. 15. The righteousness of God, here mentioned, includes not only the rectitude of his nature, and the equity of his proceedings, but likewise that everlasting righteousness which his Son hath brought in for our justification. God's righteousness and salvation are here joined together; and, therefore, let no man think to put them asunder, or expect salvation without righteousness. Mrs. Thomson.
Ver. 15. I know not the numbers. David began his arithmetic, in Ps 71:14, with addition: "I will yet praise thee more and more; "but he is fairly beaten in this first rule of sacred mathematics. His calculation fails him, the mere enumeration of the Lord's mercies overwhelms his mind; he owns his inadequacy. Reckon either by time, by place, or by value, and the salvation of God baffles all powers of estimation. C. H. S.
Ver. 15.
I. The determination avowed.
1. To recount the instances of the divine faithfulness in his deliverances.
2. To recount them publicly: My mouth, etc.
3. Constantly: All the day. II. The reason assigned: For I know not, etc. "Eternity's too short to utter all thy praise." Therefore I begin it now, and will continue it.
Psalms 71:16*
Charles H. Spurgeon's The Treasury of David (1869–1885) — public domain. Psalms only. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
The Biblical Illustrator 1887 · Public Domain On vv15–17 My mouth shall show forth Thy righteousness and Thy…
Psa_71:15
My mouth shall show forth Thy righteousness and Thy salvation all the day; for I know not the numbers thereof.
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An inexhaustible subject
This psalmists words may well be a pattern for old men, who need fear no failure of buoyancy, nor any collapse of gladness, if they will fix their thoughts where this singer did his. Other subjects of thought and speech will pall and run dry; but he whose theme is Gods righteousness and the salvation that flows from it will never lack materials for animating meditation and grateful praise. I know not the numbers thereof. It is something to have fast hold of an inexhaustible subject. It will keep an old man young. (A. Maclaren, D. D.)
Witnessing of Gods grace and salvation
We may wrongly hide our religion so that it evaporates. Too many professing Christians put away their religion as careless housewives might do some precious perfume, Had when they go to take it out, they find nothing but a rotten cork, a faint odour and an empty flask. Take care of burying your religion so deep as dogs do bones, that you cannot find it again, or, if you do, discover when you open the coffin that it holds only a handful of dry dust. (A. Maclaren, D. D.)
The Biblical Illustrator, edited by Joseph S. Exell (c. 1880s–1900s) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On v17 taught me
taught me
The implied information may be stated clearly. "taught me many things" (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)
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God, do not forsake me
"God, please do not forsake me"
I have been declaring your strength
The abstract noun "strength" can be translated with a verbal phrase. AT: "I have been telling how strong you are" (See: Abstract Nouns)
to the next generation
"to those who are children today"
your power to everyone who is to come
The omitted information may be stated clearly. AT: "and as I declare your power to everyone who is to come" (See: Ellipsis)
everyone who is to come
This exaggeration refers to everyone the writer can speak to. AT: "so as many people as I can tell will know" (See: Hyperbole and Generalization)
translationWords
declare
amazed
works
forsake
strength
generation
power
unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.