Psalms 40

I waited patiently for the Lord

waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry.a ²He 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.b ³He 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.c

⁴Oh, the joys of those who trust the Lord, who have no confidence in the proud or in those who worship idols.d ⁵O 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.e ⁶You 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.f

⁷Then I said, “Look, I have come. As is written about me in the Scriptures:g ⁸I take joy in doing your will, my God, for your instructions are written on my heart.”h ⁹I have told all your people about your justice. I have not been afraid to speak out, as you, O Lord, well know.i

¹⁰I 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. ¹¹Lord, don’t hold back your tender mercies from me. Let your unfailing love and faithfulness always protect me.j ¹²For 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.

¹³Please, Lord, rescue me! Come quickly, Lord, and help me. ¹⁴May 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.k ¹⁵Let them be horrified by their shame, for they said, “Aha! We’ve got him now!” ¹⁶But 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!”l ¹⁷As 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.m

Commentary

Psalm 40 is a deeply personal song of David that moves from the pit of despair to the platform of praise, and then pivots to a plea for deliverance. It begins with a testimony of God’s rescuing faithfulness, establishing a pattern for worship that is rooted in trust, not ritual.

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Bible Dictionary· Psalms 40(7)

Cry End Hymn Mire Pit The Way Worship

References· Psalms 40

a: v.1 — Psalms 27:13-14, Psalms 37:7, James 5:7-11, Psalms 116:2, Psalms 34:15, Daniel 9:18, Psalms 130:2
b: v.2 — The joy of its predicted resurrection: John 20:20; Psalms 37:23, Psalms 119:133, Psalms 27:5, Matthew 7:24-25, Psalms 61:2, Psalms 71:20, Jonah 2:5-6, Psalms 69:2, Psalms 86:13, Psalms 69:14-15
c: v.3 — Psalms 33:3, Psalms 103:1-5, Psalms 34:1-6, Psalms 52:6, Revelation 5:9-10, Isaiah 12:1-4, Psalms 144:9, Psalms 35:27, Revelation 14:3, Psalms 142:7
d: v.4 — Jeremiah 17:7-8, Psalms 84:11-12, Psalms 34:8, Psalms 125:5, Psalms 118:8-9, Romans 15:12-13, Psalms 2:12, Psalms 15:4, Jonah 2:8, 2 Thessalonians 2:9-11
e: v.5 — Jeremiah 29:11, Psalms 139:17-18, Exodus 15:11, Psalms 71:15, Psalms 92:5, Psalms 139:6, Isaiah 55:8-9, Psalms 136:4, Job 9:10, Job 5:9
f: v.6 — Your delight: the will of the Father: John 4:34, Hebrews 10:5, Luke 24:44; Hebrews 10:5-12, Isaiah 1:11, 1 Samuel 15:22, Psalms 51:16, Hosea 6:6, Matthew 9:13, Matthew 12:7, Amos 5:22, Jeremiah 7:21-23, Isaiah 66:3
g: v.7 — The Messiah would come to do the will of God: John 5:30; Hebrews 10:7-9, Luke 24:44, John 5:39, Luke 24:27, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, Acts 10:43, Revelation 19:10, 1 Peter 1:10-11, Genesis 3:15
h: v.8 — Romans 7:22, John 4:34, Jeremiah 15:16, Psalms 119:24, Psalms 119:16, Psalms 37:30-31, Psalms 119:47, Psalms 119:92, Jeremiah 31:33, Proverbs 3:1
i: v.9 — Would preach justice in Israel: Matthew 4:17, Luke 4:16; Psalms 22:25, Mark 16:15-16, Psalms 22:22, Psalms 119:13, Psalms 71:15-18, Hebrews 2:12, Luke 4:16-22, Psalms 35:18, Joshua 22:22, Psalms 119:171-172
j: v.11 — Psalms 23:6, Psalms 43:3, Psalms 57:3, Proverbs 20:28, Psalms 61:7, Psalms 69:16, Psalms 69:13, Psalms 85:10, Hebrews 5:7
k: v.14 — Confronted by adversaries in the Garden: John 18:4; Psalms 35:4, Psalms 35:26, John 18:6, Isaiah 45:24, Psalms 71:13, Psalms 31:17-18, Psalms 9:3, Psalms 70:2-3, Matthew 21:38-41, Acts 12:23-24
l: v.16 — Psalms 35:27, Psalms 68:3, Acts 19:17, Psalms 119:123, Psalms 105:3, Psalms 22:26, Philippians 3:7-9, Luke 1:46-47, Isaiah 65:13-14, Psalms 119:111
m: v.17 — Psalms 70:5, Isaiah 41:17, Hebrews 13:6, 1 Peter 5:7, Psalms 34:6, Psalms 54:4, Psalms 86:1, Psalms 143:7-8, 1 Peter 2:23, Isaiah 50:7-9

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