Bible Dictionary
CALVES, OF THE LIPS
“Calves of the lips” is an ancient rendering of Hosea 14:2. The phrase is understood as offering words of repentance and praise rather than animal sacrifices, corresponding to the New Testament idea of the sacrifice of praise.
Biblical Usage
Hosea calls the people to return penitently to the LORD and offer the words of their lips. The Septuagint-based reading, “fruit of our lips,” is used in Hebrews as “sacrifice of praise.”