Psalms 51:15

Psalms 51:15 — "O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise."

Verse 15 expresses gratitude and restitution through worship. David seeks divine enablement to speak—an essential aspect of worship being proclaimed. In a culture where public speech could be dangerous, the plea for God to “open” the lips highlights dependence on God for authentic praise. The commitment—“my mouth shall shew forth thy praise”—is an assurance that forgiven and restored life will communicate God’s goodness. The verse sits within a broader pattern in Psalms where confession leads to transformed worship; restored relationship with God yields vocal testimony. This personal act of praise also becomes a communal invitation, encouraging others to join in thanksgiving and recognizing God’s mercy.

Theologically, the verse underscores praise as a natural outcome of forgiveness and divine enablement. It acknowledges human dependence on God for genuine worship and connects the hinge of salvation to the mouth—the place of confession, proclamation, and praise. It aligns with biblical patterns where God’s people respond to mercy with thanksgiving, forming a rhythm of extraordinary grace and worship. The verse also foreshadows the New Covenant emphasis on heartfelt worship in Spirit and truth (John 4:23–24).

Today, remember that worship begins with a yielded mouth. If you’ve been silent about your faith, ask God to open your lips so you can give praise in prayer, song, or everyday conversations. Practice short, sincere expressions of gratitude to God in daily routines—before meals, during commutes, or in moments of tension. If you’re in a workplace, let your words honor God and reflect His righteousness, turning ordinary talk into opportunities to testify to His mercy. Worship isn’t only Sunday singing; it’s a posture of praise infused into daily speech.

Cross-References: Psalm 34:1; Psalm 100:4; Colossians 3:16; James 3:9–10; Hebrews 13:15