Bible Commentaries
Psalms 40

Introduction

Overview

Psalms 40:1, The benefit of confidence in God; Psalms 40:6, Obedience is the best sacrifice; Psalms 40:11, The sense of David’s evils inflames his prayer.

Verse 1

am 2970, bc 1034 - Title This psalm is supposed to have been composed by David about the same time, and on the same occasion, as the two preceding; with this difference, that here he magnifies God for have obtained the mercy which he sought there. It also contains a remarkable prophecy of the incarnation and sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

I waited: Heb. In waiting I waited, Psalms 27:13, Psalms 27:14, Psalms 37:7, James 5:7-11

inclined: Psalms 116:2, Psalms 130:2, Daniel 9:18

Reciprocal: Genesis 8:10 - stayed Genesis 19:19 - and thou Genesis 49:18 - General 1 Samuel 30:6 - David Job 14:14 - all the days Job 33:30 - To bring Job 36:16 - a broad Psalms 4:1 - thou Psalms 6:9 - hath heard Psalms 18:16 - drew Psalms 25:3 - wait Psalms 30:3 - brought Psalms 52:9 - wait Psalms 62:1 - my soul Psalms 69:14 - Deliver Psalms 69:30 - I will Psalms 71:20 - which Psalms 86:17 - thou Psalms 116:1 - because Psalms 118:5 - called Psalms 123:2 - so our eyes Psalms 130:5 - I wait Song of Solomon 2:12 - time Isaiah 8:17 - I will Isaiah 30:18 - blessed Isaiah 40:31 - they that Isaiah 50:10 - let Lamentations 3:25 - good Lamentations 3:55 - General Micah 7:7 - wait Matthew 5:4 - General Luke 21:19 - General Luke 22:44 - being John 16:20 - your Acts 7:10 - delivered Acts 9:11 - for Romans 12:12 - patient 2 Thessalonians 3:5 - and into Hebrews 5:7 - and Hebrews 10:36 - ye have James 1:4 - let James 5:8 - ye also

Verse 2

brought: Psalms 18:16, Psalms 18:17, Psalms 71:20, Psalms 86:13, Psalms 116:3, Psalms 142:6, Psalms 142:7, Psalms 143:3, Isaiah 24:22, Jonah 2:5, Jonah 2:6, Zechariah 9:11, Acts 2:24, Acts 2:27-31

horrible pit: Heb. pit of noise, Matthew 13:50

the miry: Psalms 69:2, Psalms 69:14, Psalms 69:15, Jeremiah 38:6-12, Lamentations 3:53-55

set: Psalms 27:5, Psalms 61:2, Matthew 7:24, Matthew 7:25

established: Psalms 17:5, Psalms 18:36, Psalms 37:23, Psalms 119:133

Reciprocal: Genesis 37:24 - the pit 1 Samuel 30:6 - David Job 14:14 - all the days Job 33:24 - Deliver Job 33:30 - To bring Psalms 6:9 - hath heard Psalms 7:9 - but Psalms 18:19 - brought Psalms 26:12 - My Psalms 30:3 - brought Psalms 30:7 - made Psalms 37:24 - Though Psalms 37:31 - steps Psalms 66:12 - but thou Psalms 88:6 - lowest Psalms 130:1 - Out of Proverbs 4:26 - let all thy ways be established Proverbs 13:12 - when Isaiah 38:17 - in love to my soul delivered it from the pit Lamentations 3:55 - General Acts 9:11 - for

Verse 3

And he: Psalms 33:3, Psalms 144:9, Revelation 5:9, Revelation 5:10, Revelation 14:3

praise: Psalms 103:1-5, Isaiah 12:1-4

many: Psalms 34:1-6, Psalms 35:27, Psalms 52:6, Psalms 64:9, Psalms 64:10, Psalms 142:7, Hosea 3:5, Acts 2:31-41, Acts 4:4

Reciprocal: Psalms 32:6 - For this Psalms 32:7 - songs Psalms 37:31 - law Psalms 66:12 - but thou Psalms 68:11 - Lord Psalms 130:7 - Let Israel Proverbs 13:12 - when Ecclesiastes 7:14 - the day Isaiah 42:10 - Sing Jeremiah 33:9 - fear Matthew 26:29 - until

Verse 4

Blessed: Psalms 2:12, Psalms 34:8, Psalms 84:11, Psalms 84:12, Psalms 118:8, Psalms 118:9, Jeremiah 17:7, Jeremiah 17:8, Romans 15:12, Romans 15:13

respecteth: Psalms 15:4, Psalms 101:3-7, Psalms 119:21

as turn: Psalms 125:5, Isaiah 44:18-20, Jeremiah 10:14, Jeremiah 10:15, Jonah 2:8, 2 Thessalonians 2:9-11

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 12:20 - turn not 1 Kings 22:43 - he turned Psalms 31:20 - from Psalms 32:1 - Blessed Psalms 32:10 - but Psalms 78:7 - set Jeremiah 48:7 - because

Verse 5

Many: Psalms 136:4, Exodus 11:8, Exodus 15:11, Job 5:9, Job 9:10, Job 26:14

thoughts: Psalms 71:15, Psalms 92:5, Psalms 139:6, Psalms 139:17, Psalms 139:18, Isaiah 55:8, Isaiah 55:9, Jeremiah 29:11

they cannot: etc. or, none can order them unto thee, Job 37:19, Job 37:20

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 7:23 - great things Job 6:3 - my words are swallowed up Job 42:3 - things Psalms 40:17 - I am poor Psalms 89:6 - For who Psalms 104:24 - how Psalms 106:2 - utter Psalms 107:8 - his wonderful Psalms 118:17 - declare Psalms 147:5 - his understanding is infinite Ecclesiastes 8:17 - that a man Ecclesiastes 11:5 - even Isaiah 12:4 - declare Isaiah 25:1 - thou hast Isaiah 28:29 - cometh Isaiah 30:33 - the breath Ezekiel 1:16 - a wheel Luke 1:3 - in John 21:25 - there Acts 2:11 - wonderful Romans 11:33 - how 1 Corinthians 13:9 - General

Verse 6

Sacrifice: Psalms 50:8, Psalms 51:16, 1 Samuel 15:22, Isaiah 1:11, Isaiah 66:3, Jeremiah 7:21-23, Hosea 6:6, Matthew 9:13, Matthew 12:7, Hebrews 10:5-12

mine ears: Exodus 21:6, Job 33:16, Isaiah 50:4, Isaiah 50:5

opened: Heb. digged

Reciprocal: Genesis 22:13 - behind Leviticus 4:31 - a sweet Leviticus 14:25 - General Numbers 28:11 - in the beginnings Numbers 29:17 - General Deuteronomy 15:16 - General 1 Samuel 20:2 - show it me 2 Samuel 7:27 - revealed Job 36:10 - openeth Proverbs 8:31 - and my Isaiah 1:12 - required Isaiah 30:33 - the breath Isaiah 40:16 - nor Isaiah 48:8 - thine ear Jeremiah 6:20 - To what Jeremiah 7:22 - nor Matthew 5:17 - but Luke 19:28 - he went Luke 24:44 - in the psalms John 10:18 - This Acts 26:6 - the promise Romans 15:3 - Christ Philippians 2:8 - and became Hebrews 9:9 - that could

Verse 7

Lo: Hebrews 10:7-9

in the: Genesis 3:15, Luke 24:27, Luke 24:44, John 5:39, Acts 10:43, 1 Corinthians 15:3, 1 Corinthians 15:4, 1 Peter 1:10, 1 Peter 1:11, Revelation 19:10

Reciprocal: Leviticus 4:31 - a sweet Ezra 6:1 - rolls Jeremiah 36:2 - a roll Zechariah 2:10 - lo Matthew 3:15 - for Mark 1:2 - written John 5:30 - because John 6:27 - for him John 6:38 - not Hebrews 9:9 - that could Hebrews 9:11 - Christ

Verse 8

I delight: Psalms 112:1, Psalms 119:16, Psalms 119:24, Psalms 119:47, Psalms 119:92, Job 23:12, Jeremiah 15:16, John 4:34, Romans 7:22, Romans 8:29

yea: Psalms 37:30, Psalms 37:31, Proverbs 3:1, Jeremiah 31:33, 2 Corinthians 3:3

within my heart: Heb. in the midst of my bowels

Reciprocal: Exodus 40:20 - the testimony Leviticus 1:3 - his own Numbers 28:11 - in the beginnings Deuteronomy 6:6 - shall be Deuteronomy 15:16 - General Psalms 1:2 - But his Psalms 19:8 - rejoicing Psalms 84:5 - in whose Psalms 119:11 - Thy word Psalms 119:70 - but I Psalms 119:167 - and I love Proverbs 4:21 - in the Proverbs 21:15 - joy Isaiah 42:21 - he will Isaiah 51:7 - in whose Jeremiah 6:10 - delight Matthew 3:15 - for Matthew 6:10 - Thy will Mark 14:36 - nevertheless Luke 2:49 - my Luke 6:45 - good man Luke 12:50 - and Luke 22:42 - not John 5:30 - because John 6:38 - not John 7:10 - then John 9:31 - and doeth John 14:31 - that the Romans 3:31 - yea Galatians 1:4 - according 1 Thessalonians 4:3 - this Hebrews 1:9 - loved

Verse 9

preached: Psalms 22:22, Psalms 22:25, Psalms 35:18, Psalms 71:15-18, Mark 16:15, Mark 16:16, Luke 4:16-22, Hebrews 2:12

not: Psalms 119:13, Psalms 119:171, Psalms 119:172

thou knowest: Psalms 139:2, John 21:17

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 6:7 - shalt talk 1 Kings 8:65 - a great Job 6:10 - have not concealed Job 7:11 - I will not Psalms 89:1 - with Psalms 107:32 - in the congregation Psalms 111:1 - assembly Psalms 145:5 - will speak Ecclesiastes 1:1 - the Preacher Ecclesiastes 10:12 - words Isaiah 48:6 - and will Isaiah 58:1 - spare Matthew 13:54 - he taught Mark 2:2 - and he Mark 4:22 - General John 6:59 - in the John 7:26 - he speaketh John 18:20 - I spake Acts 20:20 - I kept Romans 1:16 - I am Philippians 2:16 - Holding Colossians 4:6 - your 2 Timothy 4:2 - Preach

Verse 10

not hid: Ezekiel 2:7, Ezekiel 3:17, Ezekiel 3:18, Acts 20:20, Acts 20:21, Acts 20:26, Acts 20:27, Romans 10:9, Romans 10:10, 1 Thessalonians 1:8, Revelation 22:17

righteousness: Romans 1:16, Romans 1:17, Romans 3:22-26, Romans 10:3, Philippians 3:9

faithfulness: Acts 13:32, Acts 13:33, Romans 15:8, Romans 15:9

salvation: Isaiah 49:6, Luke 2:30-32, Luke 3:6, 1 Timothy 1:15

lovingkindness: Psalms 25:10, Psalms 34:6, Micah 7:20, John 1:17, John 3:16, John 3:17

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 6:7 - shalt talk Joshua 1:8 - book 1 Kings 8:65 - a great 1 Chronicles 16:9 - talk ye 1 Chronicles 16:23 - show forth Job 6:10 - have not concealed Psalms 22:22 - in the Psalms 22:25 - My praise Psalms 35:18 - give Psalms 48:9 - lovingkindness Psalms 69:13 - in the Psalms 71:15 - My mouth Psalms 89:1 - with Psalms 89:16 - righteousness Psalms 96:2 - show Psalms 107:32 - in the congregation Psalms 111:1 - assembly Psalms 118:17 - declare Psalms 119:13 - I declared Psalms 119:172 - tongue Psalms 145:5 - will speak Ecclesiastes 10:12 - words Isaiah 48:6 - and will Isaiah 58:1 - spare Jeremiah 42:4 - I will keep Matthew 13:54 - he taught Mark 4:22 - General John 6:59 - in the John 7:26 - he speaketh Romans 3:25 - to declare Colossians 4:6 - your 1 Thessalonians 5:24 - Faithful Hebrews 2:12 - in

Verse 11

Withhold: From this verse to the end, we have quite a new subject; for the former contains a thanksgiving, and this contains a supplication. It is nearly the same as the seventieth, and probably formed a distinct Psalm. Psalms 69:13, Psalms 69:16

let thy: Psalms 23:6, Psalms 43:3, Psalms 57:3, Psalms 61:7, Psalms 85:10, Hebrews 5:7

Reciprocal: Psalms 25:6 - thy tender mercies Psalms 51:1 - tender

Verse 12

innumerable: Psalms 22:11-19, Hebrews 4:15

mine: Psalms 38:4, Isaiah 53:6, Luke 18:13, Luke 18:14, 1 Peter 3:18

they are: Psalms 19:12, Psalms 69:4

heart: Psalms 73:26, Genesis 42:28, Luke 21:26

faileth: Heb. forsaketh

Reciprocal: Job 9:3 - he cannot Job 22:5 - thine Job 30:16 - have taken hold Psalms 51:3 - my sin Psalms 65:3 - prevail Psalms 71:15 - I know Psalms 109:26 - Help Psalms 116:4 - O Lord Psalms 139:18 - they are more Psalms 143:7 - my spirit Matthew 18:24 - ten thousand Romans 7:9 - but Romans 7:21 - evil

Verse 13

Be: Psalms 25:17, Psalms 25:18, Matthew 26:36-44

make: Psalms 38:22, Psalms 70:1-5

Reciprocal: Psalms 22:19 - O my Psalms 69:17 - hear me speedily Psalms 102:2 - in the day Psalms 116:4 - O Lord Psalms 141:1 - make haste Psalms 143:7 - Hear me

Verse 14

Let them be ashamed: The verbs in the preceding verse, in which the psalmist simply prays for deliverance, are in the imperative; but here, and in the following verses, they are in the future tense, and naturally express the language of lively faith and hope, rather than that of wishing the destruction foreseen and predicted. Psalms 31:17, Psalms 31:18, Psalms 35:4, Psalms 35:26, Psalms 70:2, Psalms 70:3, Psalms 71:13, Isaiah 41:11, Isaiah 45:24

that: Matthew 21:38-41

driven: Psalms 9:3, John 18:6, Acts 9:4-6, Acts 12:23, Acts 12:24

Reciprocal: Psalms 6:10 - Let all Psalms 25:3 - let Psalms 44:7 - put them Psalms 53:5 - thou hast Psalms 63:9 - seek Psalms 83:17 - General Psalms 109:20 - Let this Jeremiah 14:3 - they were Jeremiah 17:18 - confounded Jeremiah 20:11 - everlasting Ezekiel 39:2 - I will Luke 13:17 - all his John 8:9 - went out 1 Peter 2:6 - shall

Verse 15

desolate: Psalms 69:24, Psalms 69:25, Psalms 70:3, Psalms 73:19, Psalms 109:6-20, Luke 19:43, Luke 19:44, Luke 21:23, Luke 21:24

say: Psalms 35:21, Psalms 35:25, Psalms 70:3, Psalms 70:4

Reciprocal: Genesis 9:22 - told Psalms 6:10 - Let all Psalms 25:3 - let Psalms 31:17 - wicked Psalms 34:21 - they Psalms 35:4 - confounded Psalms 35:26 - ashamed Psalms 71:13 - Let them be Psalms 83:17 - General Psalms 109:20 - Let this Ezekiel 26:2 - Aha

Verse 16

all: Psalms 22:26, Psalms 35:27, Psalms 68:3, Psalms 105:3, Isaiah 65:13, Isaiah 65:14

love: Psalms 119:81, Psalms 119:111, Psalms 119:123, Psalms 119:166, Psalms 119:167, Matthew 13:45, Matthew 13:46, Philippians 3:7-9

say: Psalms 35:27, Luke 1:46, Luke 1:47, Acts 19:17

Reciprocal: Psalms 5:11 - But Psalms 34:3 - magnify Psalms 70:4 - General

Verse 17

I am poor: Psalms 40:5, Psalms 34:6, Psalms 69:33, Psalms 70:5, Isaiah 41:17, Matthew 8:20, 2 Corinthians 8:9, James 2:5

the Lord: 1 Peter 2:23, 1 Peter 5:7

help: Psalms 54:4, Isaiah 50:7-9, Hebrews 13:6

make: Psalms 143:7, Psalms 143:8, Revelation 22:20

Reciprocal: Nehemiah 5:19 - Think Psalms 18:27 - save Psalms 22:19 - O my Psalms 31:2 - deliver Psalms 38:22 - Make Psalms 69:29 - I am poor Psalms 86:1 - for I am Psalms 101:2 - O when Psalms 109:22 - For I Psalms 119:141 - small John 4:49 - come