Psalms 51:15 — Word Study
WLCאֲ֭דֹנָי שְׂפָתַ֣י תִּפְתָּ֑ח וּ֝פִ֗י יַגִּ֥יד תְּהִלָּתֶֽךָ׃
BSAto learnlâmad to transgresspâshaʻ wayderek sinnerchaṭṭâʼ to(wards)ʼêl to returnshûwb
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| אֲ֭דֹנָי | O Lord | Noun proper |
| שְׂפָתַ֣י | lips my | Noun common masculine plural construct, suffix |
| תִּפְתָּ֑ח | you will open | Verb, Qal, imperfect second person masculine singular |
| וּ֝פִ֗י | and mouth my | Conjunction, noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| יַגִּ֥יד | it will declare | Verb, Hiphil, imperfect third person masculine singular |
| תְּהִלָּתֶֽךָ׃ | praise your | Noun common feminine singular construct, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare Your praise. |
| KJV | O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise. |
| ASV | O Lord, open thou my lips; And my mouth shall show forth thy praise. |
| YLT | O Lord, my lips thou dost open, And my mouth declareth Thy praise. |
| WEB | Lord, open my lips. My mouth will declare your praise. |
| BBE | O Lord, let my lips be open, so that my mouth may make clear your praise. |
Where they part company is in the interpretation of תִּפְתָּ֑ח — see How Translations Differ.
The verse consists of two main clauses connected by a conjunction, forming a clear request followed by the intended outcome.







8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbהוּא
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Psalms 51:15
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — A Prayer for Restorationgenerated
Psalm 51:15 is part of a heartfelt plea from David, expressing his deep remorse and desire for forgiveness. In this psalm, he acknowledges his sin and seeks God's mercy, asking for the ability to praise God as a response to his restoration. This verse emphasizes the connection between divine forgiveness and the act of worship, as seen in the surrounding verses, where David speaks of his tongue singing of God's righteousness and the sacrifices of a contrite heart.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Genesis 44:16 | “What can we say to my lord?” Judah replied. “How can we plead? How can we justify ourselves? God has exposed the iniquity of your servants. We are now my lord’s slaves—both we and the one who was found with the cup.” |
| 2 | 1 Samuel 2:9 | He guards the steps of His faithful ones, but the wicked perish in darkness; for by his own strength shall no man prevail. |
| 3 | Ezekiel 16:63 | so that when I make atonement for all you have done, you will remember and be ashamed and never again open your mouth because of your disgrace, declares the Lord GOD.” |
| 4 | Matthew 22:12 | ‘Friend,’ he asked, ‘how did you get in here without wedding clothes?’ But the man was speechless. |
| 5 | Romans 3:19 | Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 12 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — תִּפְתָּ֑ח, tif.Tachgenerated
The verb תִּפְתָּ֑ח (tif.Tach) is in the imperfect tense, indicating an ongoing or future action. It means 'to open' and carries the connotation of releasing or loosening, which is essential for the psalmist's intention to speak.
This opening is not merely physical; it symbolizes the readiness to proclaim God's glory. The request for God to open his lips reflects a reliance on divine action for the ability to worship authentically.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
In the Berean Standard Bible, the verse uses open for תִּפְתָּ֑ח, which is consistent across the KJV, ASV, and others.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb תִּפְתָּ֑ח governs the structure of the verse. It is accompanied by a noun phrase שְׂפָתַ֣י (my lips) and a subsequent clause that describes the outcome of this action: יַגִּ֥יד (will declare).
The Hebrew word order emphasizes the psalmist's plea, starting with the direct address to God, followed by the request and the intended action of declaration.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates תִּפְתָּ֑ח with διδάχω (didacho), meaning 'to teach' or 'to declare'. This choice suggests a broader interpretation, where the act of opening lips is linked to instruction or proclamation.
This reflects a nuanced understanding of the psalmist's desire not just to speak, but to convey a message of praise and worship.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 51:15 expresses David's plea for God to open his lips so he can praise Him. This verse highlights the importance of divine help in worship and the connection between forgiveness and praise.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It signifies a request for divine assistance to enable the speaker to express praise and worship authentically.
Declaring praise acknowledges God's greatness and goodness, serving as an expression of gratitude and worship.
The verse is part of a penitential psalm where the psalmist seeks forgiveness and restoration, indicating that true worship follows repentance.
It emphasizes the active role of the speaker in proclaiming God's attributes and deeds, highlighting the importance of vocal worship.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways do I express my praise to God in my daily life?
- How can I rely on God's help to speak words of worship and gratitude?
- What does it mean to have a contrite heart in the context of worship?
- How can I encourage others to declare God's praise?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
The early church fathers reference this verse to discuss themes of repentance and the nature of true worship, highlighting the importance of a humble spirit in approaching God.
To us, then, He declares, "A sacrifice [pleasing] to God is a broken spirit; a smell of sweet savour to the Lord is a heart that glorifieth Him that made it." We ought therefore, brethren, carefully to inquire concerning our salvation,Early Church Fathers on Psalms 51 →
I have not yet alluded to the true and first wisdom, for which our wonderful husbandman and shepherd is conspicuous. The first wisdom is a life worthy of praise,Early Church Fathers on Psalms 51 →
Other things too must be added to humbleness of mind if it is such as the blessed David knew, when he said, “A broken and a contrite heart God will not despise.” For that which is broken does not rise up, does not strike,Early Church Fathers on Psalms 51 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 51:15 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleO Lord, open thou my lips,.... The Targum adds, "in the late"; which were shut with a sense of sin, with shame of it, and sorrow for it; and though they were in some measure opened in prayer to God
Read John Gill on Psalms 51 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryThen will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 51 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleOpen thou my lips; which are shut with shame, and grief, and horror. Restore unto me the opportunity, and ability, and liberty which formerly I had of speaking to thee with freedom, and boldness, and familiarity, as this phrase signifies, 24:27 ,20.
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 51 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 51:15 O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.Ver. 15. O Lord, open thou my lips] Which now I find stopped and sealed up, as it were, with the sin that doth so easily beset me; so that whereas I promised before to "sing aloud of thy righteousness," this I shall never be able to do without thy special furtherance, nisi verba suppedites et tanquam praeeas, unless thou please to supply me both with affections and expressions, as well as with matter of praise. And my mouth shall show forth thy praise] David had not been dumb till now, all the while he lay in his sin, but all he did was but liplabour, and therefore lost labour. Daniel confesseth the like of…
Read John Trapp on Psalms 51 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(15) My lips.—Comp. Psalms 71:15. The sense of forgiveness is like a glad morning to song-birds.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 51 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 15. O Lord, open thou my lips] My heart is believing unto righteousness; give me thy peace, that my tongue may make confession unto salvation. He could not praise God for pardon till he felt that God had pardoned him; then his lips would be opened, and his tongue would show forth the praise of his Redeemer.
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 51 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges15. open thou] Lit. as P.B. V., thou shalt open, i.e. when thou openest. Not the occasion for praise only, but the power to praise aright is the gift of God. Cp. Psalms 40:3. In this verse and the preceding one there may be an allusion to the public worship of God. Cp. Psalms 26:6-7. He may be tacitly comparing himself to the leper who has been pronounced clean, and restored to that fellowship with the congregation from which he had been excluded.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 51 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleO Lord, open thou my lips - That is, by taking away my guilt; by giving me evidence that my sins are forgiven; by taking this burden from me, and filling my heart with the joy of pardon.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 51 →The verse in English, compared — 16 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare Your praise.
Lord, open my lips. My mouth will declare your praise.
O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare Your praise.
O Lord, give me the words! Then my mouth will praise you.
Tyndale line
O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.
O Lord, open thou my lips; And my mouth shall show forth thy praise.
O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.
O LORD, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall show forth thy praise.
Open thou my lippes, O Lord, and my mouth shall shewe foorth thy praise.
Strictly literal
Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall declare thy praise.
O Lord, my lips thou dost open, And my mouth declareth Thy praise.
O Lord, you open my lips, || And my mouth declares Your praise.
(51:17) O Lord, open thou my lips, and my mouth shall declare thy praise.
Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will express your praise.
Simplified
Lord, open my lips so I can speak your praise!
O Lord, let my lips be open, so that my mouth may make clear your praise.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint agree in their wording for Psalm 51:15, with all six words matched. The Septuagint's word order differs but conveys the same essential meaning.
אֲ֭דֹנָי שְׂפָתַ֣י תִּפְתָּ֑ח וּ֝פִ֗י יַגִּ֥יד תְּהִלָּתֶֽךָ׃
6 of the 6 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Psalms 51:15
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
אֲדֹנָי (Adonay) means 'Lord' and is an emphatic form of another Hebrew word for lord. It is used specifically as a title for God, often in place of Yahweh to show reverence. Variations include אֲדֹנִי and אֲדֹנַי, which help distinguish divine from human references.
אָדוֹן n.m. lord (אֲדֹנִי, אֲדֹנַי, אֲדֹנָי are variations of Mass. pointing to distinguish divine reference fr. human. Pl., with few exc. an intens. pl. of rank; word takes sf. as pl. in all other pers.; so doubtless here. Orig. reading prob. in all cases אֲדֹנַי; אֲדֹנִי now found in J 51 t.)
base
H136 אָדוֹן lord (אֲדֹנִי, אֲדֹנַי, אֲדֹנָי are variations of Mass. pointing to distinguish divine reference fr. human. Pl., with few exc. an intens. pl. of rank; word takes sf. as pl. in all other pers.; so doubtless here. Orig. reading prob. in all cases אֲדֹנַי; אֲדֹנִי now found in J 51 t.)
136 'Adonay ad-o-noy'
am emphatic form of 113; the Lord (used as a proper name of
God only):--(my) Lord.
see HEBREW for 0113
אֲדֹנָי (a.do.nai) — Lord.
Lord - a title, spoken in place of Yahweh in Jewish display of reverence
Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)
HNpt — Noun properHNpt
Lord
There are various Hebrew and Greek words so rendered.
(1.) Heb. Jehovah, has been rendered in the English Bible LORD, printed in small capitals. This is the proper name of the God of the Hebrews. The form “Jehovah” is retained only in Ex. 6:3; Ps. 83:18; Isa. 12:2; 26:4, both in the Authorized and the Revised Version.
(2.) Heb. ‘adon, means one possessed of absolute control. It denotes a master, as of slaves (Gen. 24:14, 27), or a ruler of his subjects (45:8), or a husband, as lord of his wife (18:12).
The old plural form of this Hebrew word is ’adonai. From a superstitious reverence for the name “Jehovah,” the Jews, in reading their Scriptures, whenever that name…
[GOD]
This name belongs to God by preeminence; and in this sense ought never to be given to any creature. Jesus Christ, as the Messiah, the Son of God, and equal with the Father, is often called Lord in Scripture, especially in the writing of Paul. The word LORD, in the English Bible, when printed in small capitals, stands always for JEHOVAH in the Hebrew. See JEHOVAH.
The Hebrew word שָׂפָה (*saphah*) encompasses meanings related to 'lip,' 'speech,' and 'edge.' It is derived from concepts of termination, suggesting boundaries like the edge of a vessel or the bank of a river. The word can refer to physical lips, language, or the edges of various objects, including shores.
שָׂפָה 176 n.f. lip, speech, edge
lip
language
edge: shore of sea; bank of river
base
H8193 שָׂפָה lip, speech, edge . lip
. language
. edge: shore of sea; bank of river
8193 saphah saw-faw'
or (in dual and plural) sepheth {sef-eth'}; probably from
5595 or 8192 through the idea of termination (compare 5490);
the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by
analogy, a margin (of a vessel, water, cloth, etc.):--band,
bank, binding, border, brim, brink, edge, language, lip,
prating, ((sea-))shore, side, speech, talk, (vain) words.
see HEBREW for 05595
see HEBREW for 08192
see HEBREW for 05490
שָׂפָה (sa.phah) — lips.
: lips/mouth
1) lip, language, speech, shore, bank, brink, brim, side, edge, border, binding
1a) lip (as body part)
1b) language
1c) edge, shore, bank (of cup, sea, river, etc)
שָׂפָה (sa.phah) — lip: words.
: words/language
1) lip, language, speech, shore, bank, brink, brim, side, edge, border, binding
1a) lip (as body part)
1b) language
1c) edge, shore, bank (of cup, sea, river, etc)
שָׂפָה (sa.phah) — lip: edge.
: edge/border/opening
1) lip, language, speech, shore, bank, brink, brim, side, edge, border, binding
1a) lip (as body part)
1b) language
1c) edge, shore, bank (of cup, sea, river, etc)
שָׂפָה (sa.phah) — lip: shore.
: shore/bank(of_sea/river)
1) lip, language, speech, shore, bank, brink, brim, side, edge, border, binding
1a) lip (as body part)
1b) language
1c) edge, shore, bank (of cup, sea, river, etc)
HNcmpc/Sp1bs — Noun common masculine plural construct · suffixHNcmpc/Sp1bs
פָּתַח (pathach) is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to open' and can refer to various actions such as opening doors, loosening restraints, or engraving. It has different forms, including Qal (to open), Niphal (to be opened), and Piel (to engrave). The entries highlight its literal and figurative uses, but there is some overlap in meaning regarding its applications in opening and engraving.
פָּתַח vb. open
Qal open sack
Niph. be opened
Pi. be opened
free, i.e. ungird, camels
loosen (and remove) sack-cloth
open gates, doors
Hithp. loosen thee the fetters of thy neck
base
[פָּתַח] vb. Pi. engrave
Pu. stones engraved with the engravings of a signet.
base
H6605a פָּתַח open .open sack
. be opened
. be opened . free, i.e. ungird, camels
. loosen (and remove) sack-cloth
. open gates, doors
. loosen thee the fetters of thy neck
H6605b פָּתַח Pi. engrave
6605 pathach paw-thakh'
a primitive root; to open wide (literally or figuratively);
specifically, to loosen, begin, plough, carve:--appear, break
forth, draw (out), let go free, (en-)grave(-n), loose (self),
(be, be set) open(-ing), put off, ungird, unstop, have vent.
פָּתַח (pa.tach) — to open.
1) to open
1a) (Qal) to open
1b) (Niphal) to be opened, be let loose, be thrown open
1c) (Piel)
1c1) to free
1c2) to loosen
1c3) to open, open oneself
1d) (Hithpael) to loose oneself
Aramaic equivalent: pe.tach (פְּתַח "to open" H6606)
פָּתַח (pa.tach) — to engrave.
1) to carve, engrave
1a) (Piel) to engrave
1b) (Pual) to be engraved
HVqi2ms — Verb · Qal · imperfect second person masculine singularHVqi2ms
o'-p'-n: In the Old Testament represents chiefly pathach, but also other words, as galah, "to uncover"; of the opening of the eyes in vision, etc. (thus Balaam, Nu 22:31; 24:4; compare Job 33:16; 36:10; Ps 119:18; Jer 32:11,14). In the New Testament the usual word is anoigo (of opening of mouth, eyes, heavens, doors, etc.). A peculiar word, trachelizomai (literally, to have the neck bent back, to be laid bare), is used for "laid open" before God in Heb 4:13.
The Hebrew word פֶּה (*peh*) means 'mouth' and encompasses various meanings, including the mouth of a person or animal, as well as openings or orifices. It can also refer to speech, edges, and portions. Additionally, it denotes a weight equal to one third of a shekel, found in 1 Samuel 13:21.
פֶּה 485 n.m. mouth
mouth, of man, organ of eating and drinking
external organ
much oftener, as organ of speech, of man
as laughing; panting
of God
of idols
of musical instr. = sound
of animals; hence of edge of sword
mouth = opening, orifice
extremity, end
= portion
with preps.
base
H6310 פֶּה mouth . . mouth, of man, organ of eating and drinking
. external organ
. . much oftener, as organ of speech, of man
. as laughing; panting
. of God
. of idols
. of musical instr. = sound
. of animals
. mouth = opening, orifice
. . extremity, end
. = portion
. with preps.
6310 peh peh
from 6284; the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether
literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically
edge, portion or side; adverbially (with preposition)
according to:--accord(-ing as, -ing to), after, appointment,
assent, collar, command(-ment), X eat, edge, end, entry, +
file, hole, X in, mind, mouth, part, portion, X (should)
say(-ing), sentence, skirt, sound, speech, X spoken, talk,
tenor, X to, + two-edged, wish, word.
see HEBREW for 06284
פֶּה (peh) — lip.
: lip/mouth
peh
1) mouth
1a) mouth (of man)
1b) mouth (as organ of speech)
1c) mouth (of animals)
1d) mouth, opening, orifice (of a well, river, etc)
1e) extremity, end pim
2) a weight equal to one third of a shekel, occurs only in 1Sa 13:21
פֶּה (peh) — lip: edge.
: edge
peh
1) mouth
1a) mouth (of man)
1b) mouth (as organ of speech)
1c) mouth (of animals)
1d) mouth, opening, orifice (of a well, river, etc)
1e) extremity, end pim
2) a weight equal to one third of a shekel, occurs only in 1Sa 13:21
פֶּה (peh) — lip: word.
: word/command
peh
1) mouth
1a) mouth (of man)
1b) mouth (as organ of speech)
1c) mouth (of animals)
1d) mouth, opening, orifice (of a well, river, etc)
1e) extremity, end pim
HC/Ncmsc/Sp1bs — Conjunction · noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHC/Ncmsc/Sp1bs
נָגַד (nagad) is a Hebrew verb meaning to declare or tell, with implications of being conspicuous or manifesting something. It covers a range of meanings including to announce, report, and make known, often through spoken word. The entries indicate that it can also mean to expose or predict, and in the Hophil form, it refers to something being told or reported.
[נָגַד] 363 vb. be conspicuous
Hiph. declare, tell
Hoph. be told, announced, reported
base
H5046 נָגַד be conspicuous . declare, tell
. be told, announced, reported
5046 nagad naw-gad'
a primitive root; properly, to front, i.e. stand boldly out
opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest;
figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to one
present); specifically, to expose, predict, explain,
praise:--bewray, X certainly, certify, declare(-ing),
denounce, expound, X fully, messenger, plainly, profess,
rehearse, report, shew (forth), speak, X surely, tell, utter.
נָגַד (na.gad) — to tell.
1) to be conspicuous, tell, make known
1a) (Hiphil) to tell, declare
1a1) to tell, announce, report
1a2) to declare, make known, expound
1a3) to inform of
1a4) to publish, declare, proclaim
1a5) to avow, acknowledge, confess
1a5a) messenger (participle)
1b) (Hophal) to be told, be announced, be reported
HVhi3ms — Verb · Hiphil · imperfect third person masculine singularHVhi3ms
The Hebrew word תְּהִלָּה (*tehillah*) means praise, specifically in the form of a song or hymn. It encompasses acts of adoration and thanksgiving directed towards God, as well as general public praise and the qualities of God that warrant such praise. The word is derived from a root meaning to laud.
תְּהִלָּה n.f. praise, song of praise
praise, adoration, thanksgiving, paid to י׳
the act of general, public, praise
praise-song, as title
qualities, deeds, etc., of י׳, demanding praise
renown, fame, glory
base
H8416 תְּהִלָּה praise, song of praise . praise, adoration, thanksgiving, paid to י׳
. the act of general, public, praise
. praise-song, as title
. qualities, deeds, etc., of י׳, demanding praise
. renown, fame, glory
8416 thillah teh-hil-law'
from 1984; laudation; specifically (concretely) a
hymn:--praise.
see HEBREW for 01984
תְּהִלָּה (te.hil.lah) — praise.
1) praise, song or hymn of praise
1a) praise, adoration, thanksgiving (paid to God)
1b) act of general or public praise
1c) praise-song (as title)
1d) praise (demanded by qualities or deeds or attributes of God)
1e) renown, fame, glory
1e1) of Damascus, God
1e2) object of praise, possessor of renown (fig)
HNcfsc/Sp2ms — Noun common feminine singular construct · suffixHNcfsc/Sp2ms
