What does Psalms 71:6 mean?
"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

In Psalms 71:6, the verse reads: "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." This verse is a powerful declaration of the psalmist's faith in God's support and guidance throughout their life. It is a testament to the psalmist's unwavering trust in God from the very beginning, even before birth.
The themes found in this verse include trust, divine protection, and the continuity of praise. The psalmist expresses their deep belief that God has been their support and strength from the moment of conception. The phrase "from the womb" emphasizes the psalmist's lifelong dependence on God's care and provision. This theme of trust and reliance on God's guidance is a central theme in many of the Psalms, and it speaks to the universal human experience of seeking security and protection in a higher power.
The context of this verse is important to understanding its significance. The Book of Psalms is a collection of prayers, songs, and poems that express a wide range of human emotions and experiences. Many of the psalms, including this one, were written during times of distress or trouble. In the case of Psalms 71, the psalmist is seeking God's protection and deliverance from their enemies. In this context, the declaration of God's care from the very beginning of life serves as a reminder of God's continual presence and faithfulness, even in the midst of adversity.
Symbolism plays a key role in understanding the depth of meaning in this verse. The image of being "holden up from the womb" symbolizes God's sustaining power and protection throughout the various stages of life. It emphasizes the idea that God is intimately involved in every aspect of our existence, from birth to death. The mention of being taken "out of my mother's bowels" further underscores the psalmist's acknowledgment of God's role as the ultimate source of life and creation.
The phrase "my praise shall be continually of thee" reflects the psalmist's commitment to offering praise and thanksgiving to God without ceasing. This attitude of perpetual praise is a recurring theme in the Psalms and serves as a model for believers to maintain an attitude of gratitude and worship in all circumstances.
Overall, Psalms 71:6 is a profound declaration of faith and trust in God's providence and protection. It speaks to the universal experience of seeking security and guidance from a higher power and serves as a reminder of God's ongoing presence in our lives. The themes of trust, divine protection, and the continuity of praise, along with the rich symbolism found in this verse, make it a powerful affirmation of the psalmist's unwavering faith in God's care and provision.
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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."
"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
Psalms 71:14 - "But I will hope continually, and will yet praise thee more and more."
Psalms 71:21 - "Thou shalt increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side."
Psalms 71:8 - "Let my mouth be filled with thy praise and with thy honour all the day."
Psalms 71:7 - "I am as a wonder unto many; but thou art my strong refuge."
Psalms 71:11 - "Saying, God hath forsaken him: persecute and take him; for there is none to deliver him."
Psalms 119:71 - "It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes."
Psalms 71:9 - "Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength faileth."
Psalms 71:12 - "O God, be not far from me: O my God, make haste for my help."
Psalms 71:10 - "For mine enemies speak against me; and they that lay wait for my soul take counsel together,"
Psalms 71:1 - "In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion."
"O God, be not far from me: O my God, make haste for my help." - Psalms 71:12
Psalms 71:16 - "I will go in the strength of the Lord GOD: I will make mention of thy righteousness, even of thine only."
Psalms 71:4 - "Deliver me, O my God, out of the hand of the wicked, out of the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man."
Psalms 71:5 - "For thou art my hope, O Lord GOD: thou art my trust from my youth."
Psalms 71:2 - "Deliver me in thy righteousness, and cause me to escape: incline thine ear unto me, and save me."
Psalms 71:13 - "Let them be confounded and consumed that are adversaries to my soul; let them be covered with reproach and dishonour that seek my hurt."
Psalms 78:71 - "From following the ewes great with young he brought him to feed Jacob his people, and Israel his inheritance."
"Deliver me, O my God, out of the hand of the wicked, out of the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man." - Psalms 71:4
Psalms 71:15 - "My mouth shall shew forth thy righteousness and thy salvation all the day; for I know not the numbers thereof."
Psalms 71:17 - "O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works."
Psalms 71:23 - "My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing unto thee; and my soul, which thou hast redeemed."
Psalms 71:24 - "My tongue also shall talk of thy righteousness all the day long: for they are confounded, for they are brought unto shame, that seek my hurt."
"But I will hope continually, and will yet praise thee more and more." - Psalms 71:14
"Deliver me in thy righteousness, and cause me to escape: incline thine ear unto me, and save me." - Psalms 71:2
Psalms 71:19 - "Thy righteousness also, O God, is very high, who hast done great things: O God, who is like unto thee!"
"But I will hope continually, and will yet praise thee more and more." - Psalms 71:14
"From following the ewes great with young he brought him to feed Jacob his people, and Israel his inheritance." - Psalms 78:71
Psalms 71:20 - "Thou, which hast shewed me great and sore troubles, shalt quicken me again, and shalt bring me up again from the depths of the earth."