Psalms40
New Living Translation
1 I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry.
2 He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along.
3 He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the Lord.
4 Oh, the joys of those who trust the Lord, who have no confidence in the proud or in those who worship idols.
5 O Lord my God, you have performed many wonders for us. Your plans for us are too numerous to list. You have no equal. If I tried to recite all your wonderful deeds, I would never come to the end of them.
6 You take no delight in sacrifices or offerings. Now that you have made me listen, I finally understand— you don’t require burnt offerings or sin offerings.
7 Then I said, “Look, I have come. As is written about me in the Scriptures:
8 I take joy in doing your will, my God, for your instructions are written on my heart.”
9 I have told all your people about your justice. I have not been afraid to speak out, as you, O Lord, well know.
10 I have not kept the good news of your justice hidden in my heart; I have talked about your faithfulness and saving power. I have told everyone in the great assembly of your unfailing love and faithfulness.
11 Lord, don’t hold back your tender mercies from me. Let your unfailing love and faithfulness always protect me.
12 For troubles surround me— too many to count! My sins pile up so high I can’t see my way out. They outnumber the hairs on my head. I have lost all courage.
13 Please, Lord, rescue me! Come quickly, Lord, and help me.
14 May those who try to destroy me be humiliated and put to shame. May those who take delight in my trouble be turned back in disgrace.
15 Let them be horrified by their shame, for they said, “Aha! We’ve got him now!”
16 But may all who search for you be filled with joy and gladness in you. May those who love your salvation repeatedly shout, “The Lord is great!”
17 As for me, since I am poor and needy, let the Lord keep me in his thoughts. You are my helper and my savior. O my God, do not delay.
Study
Psalms 40Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Psalms 40. The full AI study guide (summary, themes, context) has its own page.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: Confidence for deliverance. (1–5). Christ's work of redemption. (6–10). Prayer for mercy and grace. (11–17).
vv1-5
Doubts and fears about the eternal state, are a horrible pit and miry clay, and have been so to many a dear child of God. There is power enough in God to help the weakest, and grace enough to help the unworthiest of all that trust in him. The psalmist waited patiently; he continued believing, hoping, and praying. This is applicable to Christ. His agony, in the garden and on the cross, was a horrible pit and miry clay. But those that wait patiently for God do not wait in vain. Those that have been under religious melancholy, and by the grace of God have been relieved, may apply verse 2 very feelingly to themselves; they are brought up out of a horrible pit. Christ is the Rock on which a poor soul can alone stand fast. Where God has given stedfast hope, he expects there should be a steady, regular walk and conduct. God filled the psalmist with joy, as well as peace in believing. Multitudes, by faith beholding the sufferings and glory of Christ, have learned to fear the justice and trust in the mercy of God through Him. Many are the benefits with which we are daily loaded, both by the providence and by the grace of God.
vv6-10
The psalmist foretells that work of wonder, redemption by our Lord Jesus Christ. The Substance must come, which is Christ, who must bring that glory to God, and that grace to man, which it was impossible the sacrifices should ever do. Observe the setting apart of our Lord Jesus to the work and office of Mediator. In the volume, or roll, of the book it was written of him. In the close rolls of the Divine decrees and counsel, the covenant of redemption was recorded. Also, in all the volumes of the Old Testament something was written of him, Joh 19:28. Now the purchase of our salvation is made, the proclamation is sent forth, calling us to come and accept it. It was preached freely and openly. Whoever undertook to preach the gospel of Christ, would be under great temptation to conceal it; but Christ, and those he calls to that work, are carried on in it. May we believe his testimony, trust his promise, and submit to his authority.
vv11-17
The best saints see themselves undone, unless continually preserved by the grace of God. But see the frightful view the psalmist had of sin. This made the discovery of a Redeemer so welcome. In all his reflections upon each step of his life, he discovered something amiss. The sight and sense of our sins in their own colours, must distract us, if we have not at the same time some sight of a Saviour. If Christ has triumphed over our spiritual enemies, then we, through him, shall be more than conquerors. This may encourage all that seek God and love his salvation, to rejoice in him, and to praise him. No griefs nor poverty can render those miserable who fear the Lord. Their God, and all that he has or does, is the ground of their joy. The prayer of faith can unlock his fulness, which is adapted to all their wants. The promises are sure, the moment of fulfilment hastens forward. He who once came in great humility, shall come again in glorious majesty.
Key Words
נָצַח: properly, to glitter from afar, i.e. to be eminent (as a superintendent, especially of the Temple services and its music); to be permanent
מִזְמוֹר: properly, instrumental music; by implication, a poem set to notes
דָּוִד: David, the youngest son of Jesse
קָוָה: to bind together (perhaps by twisting), i.e. collect; (figuratively) to expect
נָטָה: to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application
שָׁמַע: to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
שַׁוְעָה: a hallooing
עָלָה: to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
בּוֹר: a pit hole (especially one used as a cistern or a prison)
שָׁאוֹן: uproar (as of rushing); by implication, destruction
Cross References
Psalms 40Explicitly quotes Ps 40:6-8 to establish Christ's voluntary sacrifice replacing Levitical animal offerings.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB
Christ declares He came down from heaven to do the will of God, fulfilling verse 8.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Christ's offering up prayers with strong crying and tears in Gethsemane matches the patient waiting here.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Jeremiah's literal deliverance from a miry dungeon illustrates the figurative distress of the psalmist.
Supported by JFB
Refers to boring a servant's ear in token of voluntary, perpetual obedience and enslavement.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Samuel's famous declaration that to obey is better than sacrifice parallels the critique of empty offerings.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Jesus declares His meat is to do the will of Him that sent Him.
Supported by John Calvin, JFB
Parallels declaring God's name and righteousness in the midst of the great congregation.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin
Christ confirms that all things written in the Law, Prophets, and Psalms concerning Him must be fulfilled.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Under the New Covenant, God promises to write His law in the believer's heart.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Psalm 70 is a near-identical repetition of the petition in verses 13-17.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Identical imagery of praying to be delivered from the mire and the deep waters.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin
The Servant's ear is opened by God, and He is not rebellious, showing obedience.
Supported by JFB
Christ points to the Scriptures, which testify directly of Him as written in the volume.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Using similar imagery of being drawn out of many waters and great dangers.
Supported by Matthew Poole