The Meaning of Ps. 8:3

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Introduction[ ]

Psalm 8:3 reads as follows: מִפִּ֤י עֽוֹלְלִ֨ים׀ וְֽיֹנְקִים֮ יִסַּ֪דְתָּ֫ עֹ֥ז לְמַ֥עַן צוֹרְרֶ֑יךָ לְהַשְׁבִּ֥ית א֝וֹיֵ֗ב וּמִתְנַקֵּֽם׃

The text is difficult to understand, and it has been interpreted and translated in a variety of ways. Consider, for example, the following three English translations:

"Out of the mouths of babes and infants you have founded a bulwark because of your foes, to silence the enemy and the avenger" (NRSV; cf. RVR95, EÜ, ZÜR)
"From the mouths of children and nursing babies you have ordained praise on account of your adversaries, so that you might put an end to the vindictive enemy" (NET; cf. HFA).
"Whoever keeps singing of your majesty higher than the heavens, even through the mouths of nursing children, or of babes in arms, you make him a fortress, firm against your foes, to subdue the enemy and the rebel" (NJB).

The following points are debated:

  • The division of the text (does v. 3a ["from the mouths..."] belong with v. 2b or with v. 3b?)
  • The meaning of יסד ("found" or "ordain"?)
  • The meaning of עֹז ("stronghold," strength," or "praise"?)
  • The identity of YHWH's enemies (forces of chaos at creation or enemies of Israel?)
  • The identity of "children and infants" (literal or figurative?)
  • The meaning of "mouth" (metonymy for "praise"?)

In addition to determining the meaning of each of these parts, the interpreter must also wrestle with the meaning of the whole verse and its relation to the rest of the Psalm.

Argument Maps[ ]

The Division of the Text[ ]

One issue in the interpretation of this verse is the division of the text. Specifically, does the prepositional phrase "from the mouths..." belong with the previous clause (v. 2b) or the following clause (v. 3b)? The issue is related to the interpretation of the form תנה in v. 2b (discussed here).

"From the mouths" with following clause (preferred)[ ]

Most translations, ancient and modern, group "from the mouths" with the following clause.[1]

אֲשֶׁ֥ר תְּנָ֥ה ה֝וֹדְךָ֗ עַל־הַשָּׁמָֽיִם׃
מִפִּ֤י עֽוֹלְלִ֨ים׀ וְֽיֹנְקִים֮ יִסַּ֪דְתָּ֫ עֹ֥ז
לְמַ֥עַן צוֹרְרֶ֑יךָ
לְהַשְׁבִּ֥ית א֝וֹיֵ֗ב וּמִתְנַקֵּֽם׃

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["From the mouths..."]:The prepositional phrase "from the mouths..." belongs syntactically and poetically with the following clause (v. 3b).
 + <Traditional text division>: The oldest and best witnesses to the division of the text group "from the mouths..." with the following clause and not with the previous clause.
  + [Witnesses to text division]: MT accents, LXX cf. Matt. 21:16, Jerome.
 - <Not coherent>: "The older rendering of vv. 2c-3c... is absurd. The sentence in itself already is almost totally obscure (Fokkelman 2000:70 :C:). #dispreferred
 - <Parallelism>: "The obvious parallelism which combines 'your foes' with 'enemy and avenger' in one bicolon is disregarded" (Fokkelman 2000:70 :C:). #dispreferred
 - <Tricolon>: If this division is adopted, then "verse 3 is the only verse in the psalm that contains three, rather than two, poetic lines" (Kraut 2010 :A:).#dispreferred


Argument Mapn0"From the mouths..."The prepositional phrase "from the mouths..." belongs syntactically and poetically with the following clause (v. 3b).n1Witnesses to text divisionMT accents, LXX cf. Matt. 21:16, Jerome.n2Traditional text divisionThe oldest and best witnesses to the division of the text group "from the mouths..." with the following clause and not with the previous clause.n1->n2n2->n0n3Not coherent"The older rendering of vv. 2c-3c... is absurd. The sentence in itself already is almost totally obscure (Fokkelman 2000:70 🄲). n3->n0n4Parallelism"The obvious parallelism which combines 'your foes' with 'enemy and avenger' in one bicolon is disregarded" (Fokkelman 2000:70 🄲). n4->n0n5TricolonIf this division is adopted, then "verse 3 is the only verse in the psalm that contains three, rather than two, poetic lines" (Kraut 2010 🄰).n5->n0


"From the mouths" with previous clause[ ]

Some translations (e.g., RSV, REB, GNT) group "from the mouths" with the previous clause.

אֲשֶׁ֥ר תְּנָ֥ה ה֝וֹדְךָ֗ עַל־הַשָּׁמָֽיִם׃
מִפִּ֤י עֽוֹלְלִ֨ים׀ וְֽיֹנְקִים֮
יִסַּ֪דְתָּ֫ עֹ֥ז לְמַ֥עַן צוֹרְרֶ֑יךָ
לְהַשְׁבִּ֥ית א֝וֹיֵ֗ב וּמִתְנַקֵּֽם׃

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["... from the mouths"]:The prepositional phrase "from the mouths..." belongs syntactically and poetically with the previous clause/line (v. 2a).#dispreferred
 + <Balanced strophes>: If this division is adopted, then lines in vv. 2b-3 are balanced and the body of the psalm would consist of 8 bicola (arranged in four strophes of equal length) bound by an inclusion (vv. 2a, 10).#dispreferred
 + <Inclusion (vv. 2a, 10)>: "The combination of 2b with 3a frees the opening exclamation of the psalm (2a: O Lord, our Lord, How majestic is your name throughout the earth) to stand alone, just as the very same exclamation stands alone in verse 10 at the conclusion of the psalm" (Kraut 2010 :A:).#dispreferred
  <_ <Ps. 103>: "This double function, standing in parallel with v. 2b while at the same time anticipating the reiteration of the refrain in V. 10, should not surprise anyone who is familiar with the Psalter. Ps 103:1a forms an inclusio with Ps 103:22c while also standing in parallel with Ps 103:1b" (Keener 2013 :A:).


Argument Mapn0"... from the mouths"The prepositional phrase "from the mouths..." belongs syntactically and poetically with the previous clause/line (v. 2a).n1Balanced strophesIf this division is adopted, then lines in vv. 2b-3 are balanced and the body of the psalm would consist of 8 bicola (arranged in four strophes of equal length) bound by an inclusion (vv. 2a, 10).n1->n0n2Inclusion (vv. 2a, 10)"The combination of 2b with 3a frees the opening exclamation of the psalm (2a: O Lord, our Lord, How majestic is your name throughout the earth) to stand alone, just as the very same exclamation stands alone in verse 10 at the conclusion of the psalm" (Kraut 2010 🄰).n2->n0n3Ps. 103"This double function, standing in parallel with v. 2b while at the same time anticipating the reiteration of the refrain in V. 10, should not surprise anyone who is familiar with the Psalter. Ps 103:1a forms an inclusio with Ps 103:22c while also standing in parallel with Ps 103:1b" (Keener 2013 🄰).n3->n2


The Meaning of יִסַּ֪דְתָּ֫ עֹ֥ז[ ]

Another issue involved in the interpretation of this verse is the meaning of the clause יִסַּ֪דְתָּ֫ עֹ֥ז. Does this refer to the founding of a stronghold, the establishing of strength, or to the ordaining of praise?

"Founded a stronghold" (preferred)[ ]

Many modern translations interpret the clause to refer to "founding a stronghold/fortress" (NRSV, NIV, GNB, REB, CEV, NJB, RVR95, DHH, EÜ, ZÜR). 


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["Stronghold"]: The noun עֹז refers to a "stronghold" or "fortress" (BDB :L:, HALOT :L:, DCH :L:, Hupfeld 1855:147 :C:; Baethgen 1904:20-21 :C:; Zenger 1993:79 :C:; Waltke 2010:262 :C:).
 + <Argument from usual meaning of יסד>: The verb יסד almost always refers to "laying a foundation," and the noun עֹז can sometimes refer to a "stronghold."
  + [יסד as "laying a foundation"]: The verb יסד (piel) almost always refers to laying the foundation of an architectural structure.
   + [Objects of יסד (piel)]: E.g., house (1 Kgs. 5:31; Zech. 4:9; 1 Chron. 6:37), temple (Hag. 2:18; Zech. 8:9; Ezra 3:6, 10), city (Josh. 6:26; 1 Kings. 16:34; Isa. 14:32), stone (Isa. 28:16).
  + [עֹז as "stronghold"]: The noun עֹז can sometimes refer to “a construction that is strong and able to resist attacks” (SDBH entry b :L:; cf. BDB :L:, HALOT :L:, DCH :L:).
   + [Examples of עֹז as "stronghold"]:E.g., Prov. 21:22 Amos 3:11


Argument Mapn0"Stronghold"The noun עֹז refers to a "stronghold" or "fortress" (BDB 🄻, HALOT 🄻, DCH 🄻, Hupfeld 1855:147 🄲; Baethgen 1904:20-21 🄲; Zenger 1993:79 🄲; Waltke 2010:262 🄲).n1יסד as "laying a foundation"The verb יסד (piel) almost always refers to laying the foundation of an architectural structure.n5Argument from usual meaning of יסדThe verb יסד almost always refers to "laying a foundation," and the noun עֹז can sometimes refer to a "stronghold."n1->n5n2Objects of יסד (piel)E.g., house (1 Kgs. 5:31; Zech. 4:9; 1 Chron. 6:37), temple (Hag. 2:18; Zech. 8:9; Ezra 3:6, 10), city (Josh. 6:26; 1 Kings. 16:34; Isa. 14:32), stone (Isa. 28:16).n2->n1n3עֹז as "stronghold"The noun עֹז can sometimes refer to “a construction that is strong and able to resist attacks” (SDBH entry b 🄻; cf. BDB 🄻, HALOT 🄻, DCH 🄻).n3->n5n4Examples of עֹז as "stronghold"E.g., Prov. 21:22 Amos 3:11n4->n3n5->n0


"Established strength"[ ]

Some translations reflect the understanding of עֹז as an abstract noun: "established strength" (ESV; cf. JPS85, LUT, ELB). The meaning is brought out more clearly by the NLT: "You have taught children and infants to tell of your strength (NLT; cf. NGÜ). 


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["Strength"]: The noun עֹז refers to the abstract quality of "strength" (Briggs 1906 :C:; Craigie 2004:105 :C:; Tate 2001 :A:). #dispreferred
 + <Argument from usual meaning of עֹז>: The noun עֹז almost always means "strength" (BDB :L:, HALOT :L:, DCH :L:).#dispreferred


Argument Mapn0"Strength"The noun עֹז refers to the abstract quality of "strength" (Briggs 1906 🄲; Craigie 2004:105 🄲; Tate 2001 🄰). n1Argument from usual meaning of עֹזThe noun עֹז almost always means "strength" (BDB 🄻, HALOT 🄻, DCH 🄻).n1->n0


"Ordained praise"[ ]

Some of the ancient translations (LXX [cf. Matt. 21:16], Jerome, Peshitta), understood the phrase to mean "to ordain praise." Some modern translations reflect this same interpretation (e.g., NIV84, NET, HFA). 


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["Ordain praise"]: The noun עֹז refers to "praise," and the verb means "to ordain" (NET; cf. LXX, Peshitta, Jerome).#dispreferred
 + <"Ordain praise">: The meaning "ordain praise out of the mouths..." works well in the context, and it is consistent with attested meanings of the words עֹז and יסד.#dispreferred
  + [עֹז as "praise"]: The noun עֹז refers to praise in several passages.#dispreferred
   + [Examples of עֹז as "praise"]: Pss. 29:1; 68:35; 96:7.#dispreferred
    <_ [Use restricted]: "But this is only when connected with verbs of giving... In itself, when standing alone, it cannot mean this" (Delitzsch 1883 :C:, cf. Tate 2001:350 :A:).
  + [יסד as "ordain"]: The verb יסד can sometimes mean "to ordain" or "to decree" (BDB: :L:, DCH :L:).#dispreferred
    + [Examples of יסד as "ordain"]: Eg., Esther 1:8 (with על preposition); 1 Chron. 9:22.#dispreferred
     <_ [Post-exilic]:The examples of יסד meaning "to ordain" are post-exilic.
     <_ [Different syntactic environments]:The examples of יסד meaning "to ordain" involve different syntactic environments; in neither example does the verb take a direct object (Waltke 2010:262).


Argument Mapn0"Ordain praise"The noun עֹז refers to "praise," and the verb means "to ordain" (NET; cf. LXX, Peshitta, Jerome).n1עֹז as "praise"The noun עֹז refers to praise in several passages.n8"Ordain praise"The meaning "ordain praise out of the mouths..." works well in the context, and it is consistent with attested meanings of the words עֹז and יסד.n1->n8n2Examples of עֹז as "praise"Pss. 29:1; 68:35; 96:7.n2->n1n3Use restricted"But this is only when connected with verbs of giving... In itself, when standing alone, it cannot mean this" (Delitzsch 1883 🄲, cf. Tate 2001:350 🄰).n3->n2n4יסד as "ordain"The verb יסד can sometimes mean "to ordain" or "to decree" (BDB: 🄻, DCH 🄻).n4->n8n5Examples of יסד as "ordain"Eg., Esther 1:8 (with על preposition); 1 Chron. 9:22.n5->n4n6Post-exilicThe examples of יסד meaning "to ordain" are post-exilic.n6->n5n7Different syntactic environmentsThe examples of יסד meaning "to ordain" involve different syntactic environments; in neither example does the verb take a direct object (Waltke 2010:262).n7->n5n8->n0


The Identity of YHWH's Enemies[ ]

A third issue in the interpretation of this verse is the identification of YHWH's enemies. Are these foreign nations who oppose YHWH's people, or are these the mythic forces that opposed YHWH at creation?

Enemies of Israel (preferred)[ ]


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[Israel's Enemies]:The enemies of YHWH are the foreign enemies of Israel (Baethgen 1904:21).
 + <Use of terms elsewhere>: Elsewhere in Psalms, the phrases "your=YHWH's foes" (צורריך) and "vengeful enemy" (אויב ומתנקם) refer to the enemies of Israel.
  + [Ps. 44:17]:"...at the sight of the enemy and the avenger (אויב ומתנקם)" (ESV).
  + [Ps. 74:4]:"Your foes (צורריך) have roared in the midst of your meeting place" (ESV); cf. the phrase אויבי יהוה in 1 Sam 30:26.


Argument Mapn0Israel's EnemiesThe enemies of YHWH are the foreign enemies of Israel (Baethgen 1904:21).n1Ps. 44:17"...at the sight of the enemy and the avenger (אויב ומתנקם)" (ESV).n3Use of terms elsewhereElsewhere in Psalms, the phrases "your=YHWH's foes" (צורריך) and "vengeful enemy" (אויב ומתנקם) refer to the enemies of Israel.n1->n3n2Ps. 74:4"Your foes (צורריך) have roared in the midst of your meeting place" (ESV); cf. the phrase אויבי יהוה in 1 Sam 30:26.n2->n3n3->n0


Enemies at Creation[ ]


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[Enemies at Creation]:The enemies of YHWH are those forces of chaos which he subdued at creation (Sarna 1993:57-61 :C:; Jacobson 2014:123f).#dispreferred
 + <Creation conflict>: There are echoes in the Old Testament of the mythic idea of a conflict at creation. This is probably what the psalmist is imagining, since Psalm 8 is a reflection on creation.#dispreferred
  + E.g., Ps. 74:13–14a, 16–17#dispreferred
 + <עֹז and creation conflict>: "The term (עֹז) is part of the vocabulary of the creation conflict myth, lending support to the view that the phrase you have established might because of your foes, to put an end to enemy and avenger is another reference to the act of creation" (Jacobson 2014:123-4).#dispreferred
  + E.g., Ps. 74:13; Isa. 51:9; Ps. 89:11#dispreferred


Argument Mapn0Enemies at CreationThe enemies of YHWH are those forces of chaos which he subdued at creation (Sarna 1993:57-61 🄲; Jacobson 2014:123f).n1E.g., Ps. 74:13–14a, 16–17n3Creation conflictThere are echoes in the Old Testament of the mythic idea of a conflict at creation. This is probably what the psalmist is imagining, since Psalm 8 is a reflection on creation.n1->n3n2E.g., Ps. 74:13; Isa. 51:9; Ps. 89:11n4עֹז and creation conflict"The term (עֹז) is part of the vocabulary of the creation conflict myth, lending support to the view that the phrase you have established might because of your foes, to put an end to enemy and avenger is another reference to the act of creation" (Jacobson 2014:123-4).n2->n4n3->n0n4->n0

The Identity of Nursing Children[ ]

A fourth issue in the interpretation of this verse is the identification of the "nursing children."

Divine beings[ ]


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[Divine beings]: The "nursing children" in Ps. 8 are divine beings (Schedl 1964 :A:; Smith 1997 :A:).
 + <Ugaritic parallel>: An Ugaritic text ("Dawn and Dusk") describes the birth of two gods and refers to them as "suckers" (ynqm) (Smith 1997 :A:).
  + ["Dawn and Dusk"]: "The two (women) squat and give birth, they give birth to the gracious (gods), who delimit the day, sons of a (single) day, who suck the nipples of the breast..." (COS 1.87 line 58).#dispreferred
 - <Hebrew usage>: "The use of עולל to refer to בני אלהים is unattested elsewhere in the OT" (Keener :A:)


Argument Mapn0Divine beingsThe "nursing children" in Ps. 8 are divine beings (Schedl 1964 🄰; Smith 1997 🄰).n1"Dawn and Dusk""The two (women) squat and give birth, they give birth to the gracious (gods), who delimit the day, sons of a (single) day, who suck the nipples of the breast..." (COS 1.87 line 58).n2Ugaritic parallelAn Ugaritic text ("Dawn and Dusk") describes the birth of two gods and refers to them as "suckers" (ynqm) (Smith 1997 🄰).n1->n2n2->n0n3Hebrew usage"The use of עולל to refer to בני אלהים is unattested elsewhere in the OT" (Keener 🄰)n3->n0


Weak (human) children[ ]


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[Human children]: "The Hebrew terms עוללים (“babies”) and יונקים (“sucklings”) almost certainly refer to earthly beings and evoke weakness and vulnerability, especially when they appear together" (Keener 2013:331 :A:)
 + <Hebrew usage>: "The compound, 'children and infants', in its seven occurrences refers to the helpless offspring of a people threatened with annihilation by a ruthless foe" (Waltke 2010:262-3 :C:).
  + [Hebrew usage]: E.g., 1 Sam. 15:3; 22:19; Jer. 44:7; Lam. 1:16; 4:4; Joel 2:16.


Argument Mapn0Human children"The Hebrew terms עוללים (“babies”) and יונקים (“sucklings”) almost certainly refer to earthly beings and evoke weakness and vulnerability, especially when they appear together" (Keener 2013:331 🄰)n1Hebrew usageE.g., 1 Sam. 15:3; 22:19; Jer. 44:7; Lam. 1:16; 4:4; Joel 2:16.n2Hebrew usage"The compound, 'children and infants', in its seven occurrences refers to the helpless offspring of a people threatened with annihilation by a ruthless foe" (Waltke 2010:262-3 🄲).n1->n2n2->n0


Conclusion[ ]

We have rendered Psalm 8:3 as follows: "Out of the mouths of nursing children, you have founded a fortress, because of your adversaries, in order to put an end to a vengeful enemy."

Research[ ]

Translations[ ]

Ancient[ ]

  • LXX: ἐκ στόματος νηπίων καὶ θηλαζόντων κατηρτίσω αἶνον / ἕνεκα τῶν ἐχθρῶν σου / τοῦ καταλῦσαι ἐχθρὸν καὶ ἐκδικητήν
  • Aquila: εκ στοματος βρεφων... εθεμελιωσας κρατος δια τους ενδεσμουντας σε του ελλατωσαι...
  • Symmachus: ...συνεστησω κρατος... ωστε παυσαι εχθρον και τιμωρουντα εαυτω
  • Theodotion: ...δια τους ενδεσμουντας σε...
  • Jerome: ex ore infantium et lactantium perfecisti laudem / propter adversarios meos ut quiescat inimicus et ultor
  • Targum:מפום עולימיא ויונקיא אשתיתא עושנא מן בגלל מעיקיך לבטלא בעיל דבבא וגזומא׃
  • Syriac: ܡܢ ܦܘܡܐ ܕܥ̈ܠܝܡܐ ܘܕܛ̈ܠܝܐ܂ ܬܩܢܬ ܬܫܒܘܚܬܟ܂ ܡܛܠ ܒ̈ܥܠܕܒܒܝܟ܂ ܢܬܒܛܠ ܒܥܠܕܒܒܐ ܕܡܬܢܩܡ܂

Modern[ ]

Modern translations of Ps. 8:3 might be grouped based on their translation of עֹז.

  • Stronghold
    • Out of the mouths of babes and infants you have founded a bulwark because of your foes, to silence the enemy and the avenger (NRSV; cf. RVR95, EÜ, ZÜR).
    • Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger (NIV; cf. CEV, DHH, GNB).
    • from the mouths of babes and infants at the breast. You have established a bulwark against your adversaries, to restrain the enemy and the avenger (REB).
    • "Whoever keeps singing of your majesty higher than the heavens, even through the mouths of nursing children, or of babes in arms, you make him a fortress, firm against your foes, to subdue the enemy and the rebel" (NJB).
  • Strength
    • Out of the mouth of babies and infants, you have established strength because of your foes, to still the enemy and the avenger (ESV; cf. JPS85, LUT, ELB).
    • You have taught children and infants to tell of your strength, silencing your enemies and all who oppose you (NLT; cf. NGÜ [Schon Säuglingen und kleinen Kindern hast du dein Lob in den Mund gelegt, damit sie deine Macht bezeugen...]).
  • Praise
    • From the mouths of children and nursing babies you have ordained praise on account of your adversaries, so that you might put an end to the vindictive enemy (NET; cf. NIV84, HFA).
  • Other
    • Out of the mouths of babes, of infants at the great, thou hast rebuked the mighty, silencing enmity and vengeance to teach they foes a lesson (NEB).

References[ ]

8:3 Approved

  1. ↑ According to Bratcher and Reyburn, "the interpretation followed by most modern translations, however, is to connect 'from the mouths of infants and children' with what precedes in verse 1, and to begin a new sentence with 'You have built a stronghold'" (1991:79). Yet the vast majority English, German, and Spanish translations which we have consulted and listed below connect the prepositional phrase to what follows.
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