# Is “Out of the mouths of babes” in the Bible?

> Yes. “Out of the mouths of babes” comes from the Bible, from Psalm 8:2.

Source: https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/out-of-the-mouths-of-babes
By Andrew Kittridge · November 9, 2026

David writes it in a psalm, and Jesus quotes it when children shout his praise in the temple.

## The verse

> From the mouths of children and nursing infants you have laid a foundation of strength on account of your adversaries, to put a stop to the enemy and the avenger.
>
> — [Psalm 8:2](https://www.lumin.faith/read/psalm/8#2) (Lumin Translation)

The saying is not word for word. It shortens or reshapes the verse.

## What it means there

In the psalm God builds strength out of the smallest voices, enough to silence his enemies. When Jesus quotes the line, the word is praise. Today people say it when a child says something wiser than expected.

## Also in the Bible

> They said to him, “Do you hear what these children are saying?” Jesus replied, “Yes. Have you never read, ‘From the mouths of children and nursing infants you have brought forth praise’?”
>
> — [Matthew 21:16](https://www.lumin.faith/read/matthew/21#16) (Lumin Translation)

## Common questions

### Is “Out of the mouths of babes” in the Bible?

Yes. “Out of the mouths of babes” comes from the Bible, from Psalm 8:2. The saying is not word for word. It shortens or reshapes the verse. David writes it in a psalm, and Jesus quotes it when children shout his praise in the temple.

### Where in the Bible is “Out of the mouths of babes”?

In Psalm 8:2, and also Matthew 21:16. In the Lumin Translation, Psalm 8:2 reads: “From the mouths of children and nursing infants you have laid a foundation of strength on account of your adversaries, to put a stop to the enemy and the avenger.”

### Who said “Out of the mouths of babes”?

David writes it in a psalm, and Jesus quotes it when children shout his praise in the temple.

### What does “Out of the mouths of babes” mean in the Bible?

In the psalm God builds strength out of the smallest voices, enough to silence his enemies. When Jesus quotes the line, the word is praise. Today people say it when a child says something wiser than expected.

## More

- [Is “The salt of the earth” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/the-salt-of-the-earth.md)
- [Is “The straight and narrow” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/the-straight-and-narrow.md)
- [Is “Train up a child in the way he should go” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/train-up-a-child-in-the-way-he-should-go.md)
- [Is “Where there is no vision, the people perish” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/where-there-is-no-vision-the-people-perish.md)
- [Where is “Be strong and courageous” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/be-strong-and-courageous.md)
- [Where is “The joy of the Lord is your strength” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/the-joy-of-the-lord-is-your-strength.md)
- [Where is “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/when-you-pass-through-the-waters-i-will-be-with-you.md)
- [Where is “The Lord is my shepherd” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/the-lord-is-my-shepherd.md)
- [Check any word or a whole song](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-verse-checker)