King James Version

What Does Psalms 8:2 Mean?

Psalms 8:2 in the King James Version says “Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still t...” — study this verse from Psalms chapter 8 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger. ordained: Heb. founded”

Psalms 8:2 · KJV

Strength

Context

1

To the chief Musician upon Gittith, A Psalm of David. O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens.

2

Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger. ordained: Heb. founded

3

When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;

4

What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?

Read Psalms 8 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger. This verse presents a stunning paradox: God establishes His strength through the weakest, most vulnerable members of society—infants and nursing babies. The Hebrew olalim (עוֹלָלִים) refers to young children, while yoneqim (יֹנְקִים) specifically means nursing infants still dependent on mother's milk.

"Ordained strength" (yissadta oz, יִסַּדְתָּ עֹז) literally means "You have founded strength" or "established might." The verb yasad suggests laying a foundation, establishing firmly. God has chosen to base or found His power on what seems powerless—the praise of children. This divine strategy confounds human wisdom that equates strength with military might, political power, or intellectual sophistication.

"Because of thine enemies" reveals God's purpose: to shame and silence His adversaries through unexpected means. The phrase "still the enemy and the avenger" uses leshabbeth (לְהַשְׁבִּית), meaning to cause to cease, bring to rest, or silence. God's enemies seek to challenge His authority and defame His name, but He silences them not through overwhelming force (though He possesses that) but through the simple, pure praise of children.

Jesus quotes this verse in Matthew 21:16 when religious leaders complain about children praising Him in the temple, crying "Hosanna to the Son of David!" Jesus's response—"Have you never read, 'Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have perfected praise'?"—applies the psalm to Himself and validates children's spiritual insight. Often those whom society dismisses as insignificant recognize God's glory more clearly than the sophisticated elite.

Paul develops this theology in 1 Corinthians 1:27-29: "God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are mighty." The cross epitomizes this principle—God's "weakness" (crucified Messiah) proves stronger than human strength, and God's "foolishness" (gospel message) proves wiser than human wisdom.

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Historical & Cultural Context

In ancient Near Eastern cultures, children held marginal status until reaching maturity. They lacked legal rights, economic value (until old enough to work), and social voice. Military strength, impressive architecture, and elaborate rituals demonstrated a deity's power. Against this backdrop, Psalm 8:2 radically subverts expectations: God's strength manifests through society's weakest members.

The concept of children praising God appears throughout Scripture. Joel 2:16 includes nursing infants in corporate worship. Psalm 148:12-13 calls young men and virgins, old and young, to praise God's name. Jesus welcomed children, blessed them, and held them up as models of kingdom entrance (Matthew 19:13-15). In cultures where children were seen but not heard, Jesus's inclusion of them was revolutionary.

Ancient Israel's enemies—surrounding pagan nations with their military power and impressive pantheons—posed constant threat. Yet God's covenant people, often militarily weak and politically insignificant, testified to His glory through simple faith and obedient worship. Like children whose praise silences enemies, Israel's faithful witness confounded nations who couldn't comprehend Yahweh's power working through seeming weakness.

The early church embodied this principle. Composed largely of slaves, poor, women, and social outcasts, Christians lacked political power or cultural prestige. Yet their courageous faith and joyful worship—even unto martyrdom—silenced accusers and eventually transformed the Roman Empire. What appeared weak proved powerful; what seemed foolish proved wise.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does God's choice to establish strength through 'babes and sucklings' reveal about His character and values?
  2. How does childlike praise—simple, unsophisticated, sincere—differ from adult worship that may become performance or routine?
  3. In what ways might you be despising 'weak' or 'insignificant' means through which God chooses to work?
  4. How does Jesus's validation of children's praise (Matthew 21:16) challenge religious elitism or intellectualism in the church?
  5. What 'enemies' or 'avengers' in your life might God be silencing through unexpected or seemingly weak means?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 10 words
מִפִּ֤י1 of 10

“Out of the mouth”

H6310

the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos

עֽוֹלְלִ֨ים׀2 of 10

“of babes”

H5768

a suckling

וְֽיֹנְקִים֮3 of 10

“and sucklings”

H3243

to suck; causatively, to give milk

יִסַּ֪דְתָּ֫4 of 10

“hast thou ordained”

H3245

to set (literally or figuratively); intensively, to found; reflexively, to sit down together, i.e., settle, consult

עֹ֥ז5 of 10

“strength”

H5797

strength in various applications (force, security, majesty, praise)

לְמַ֥עַן6 of 10
H4616

properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that

צוֹרְרֶ֑יךָ7 of 10

“because of thine enemies”

H6887

to cramp, literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive

לְהַשְׁבִּ֥ית8 of 10

“that thou mightest still”

H7673

to repose, i.e., desist from exertion; used in many implied relations (causative, figurative or specific)

א֝וֹיֵ֗ב9 of 10

“the enemy”

H341

hating; an adversary

וּמִתְנַקֵּֽם׃10 of 10

“and the avenger”

H5358

to grudge, i.e., avenge or punish

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Psalms. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Psalms 8:2 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Psalms 8:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Matthew 21:162 Corinthians 12:9-10Isaiah 40:311 Corinthians 1:27Psalms 46:10Matthew 11:25

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