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.
Psalms 71:6
This verse weaves personal history with cosmic praise. The psalmist claims lifelong dependence on God: “By thee have I been holden up from the womb.” The imagery of birth and maternal support underscores total vulnerability and divine sustenance from the very start of life. In ancient Near Eastern literature, creation and birth imagery often signal divine sovereignty and intimate care. The second clause—“thou art he that took me out of my mother’s bowels”—emphasizes God as the primary origin and ongoing sustainer. The purpose clause—“my praise shall be continually of thee”—ties personal experience of protection to perpetual worship. The cultural backdrop celebrates a life committed to God, whose benevolence is not episodic but foundational. The psalmist attributes his ongoing existence and vocation to God’s sustaining grace.
The verse articulates a deep, foundational theocentrism: human life and purpose originate in God. It foregrounds God as Creator and Sustainer, not distant, but intimately involved from birth. The commitment to continual praise reflects a theology of gratitude as a lifestyle, not a momentary response. The passage also models a robust anthropology: being held up by God shapes identity and vocation—proclaiming God’s praise becomes a natural outcome of acknowledged dependence. It also intersects with themes of divine election and grace, as life itself is a gift and vocation.
Practically, this verse invites a posture of daily gratitude and worship rooted in everyday dependence. Start or end your day recounting God’s faithfulness since birth—small mercies, big redemptions, moments when you were carried through. In moments of fatigue or aging, this reminder can steady the heart: you are held up by God, not by personal strength alone. In parenting or grandparenting, model this verse by naming God’s care in your children’s or grandchildren’s lives. When facing doubt, repeat, “You have carried me from before birth; you will sustain me to forever,” and let that confession shape choices—prioritizing time with God, embracing humility, and praising publicly.
Cross-References: Isaiah 46:4; Job 10:8-12; Psalm 22:9-10; Luke 1:37; Psalm 139:13-16