CLARITY EDITION · OLD TESTAMENT
Psalms 40
Chapter 40 of 150
Chapter Overview
What happens in Psalms 40
A psalm of David that begins with thanksgiving for past deliverance and ends with an urgent plea for help. The middle section is quoted in Hebrews as pointing to Christ.
Scripture
Psalms 40
Rescued from the Pit
Study note
David waited patiently for God, who lifted him out of a horrible pit and set his feet on solid rock. God put a new song in his mouth.
1 I waited and waited for the Lord, holding on with patience — and he bent down close to me and heard my cry. I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.
2 He reached down and lifted me out of a terrible pit — out of thick, sticky mud. He planted my feet on solid rock and gave me a steady place to stand. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.
3 He placed a new song in my mouth — a song of praise for our God. Many people will see what happened and be amazed. They will put their trust in the Lord. And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.
4 How happy is the person who makes the Lord the one they depend on — who doesn't run after the proud or chase after fake gods. Blessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.
5 Lord my God, the amazing things you have done and the plans you have for us are beyond counting. Nobody comes close to comparing with you. If I tried to list everything, the numbers would be too high to reach. Many, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.
Obedience over Sacrifice
Study note
God does not want mere sacrifices. Instead, David delights in doing God's will. He has proclaimed God's righteousness and faithfulness to the whole congregation.
6 What you wanted was not animal sacrifices and offerings. Instead, you opened my ears so I could truly listen. You didn't ask for burnt offerings or sin offerings. Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required.
7 So I said, "Here I am — I've come. Everything written about me is there in the scroll." Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me,
8 "Doing what you want brings me real delight, my God. Your instructions live deep inside my heart." I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.
9 I have shared the good news about your righteousness in the great gathering. Lord, you know that I have not kept my mouth closed. I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O LORD, thou knowest.
10 I have not buried your goodness inside my heart. I have talked openly about your faithfulness and your saving help. I have not kept your loyal love and your truth a secret from the great assembly. I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy lovingkindness and thy truth from the great congregation.
An Urgent Prayer
Study note
David asks God not to withhold mercy because troubles without number have surrounded him. He asks for quick help while calling on all who seek God to rejoice.
11 Lord, please don't hold back your compassion from me. Let your loyal love and your truth be my constant bodyguards. Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, O LORD: let thy lovingkindness and thy truth continually preserve me.
12 Troubles too many to count have closed in around me. My own sins have caught up with me, and I can't even see straight. They outnumber the hairs on my head, and my heart is sinking inside me. For innumerable evils have compassed me about: mine iniquities have taken hold upon me, so that I am not able to look up; they are more than the hairs of mine head: therefore my heart faileth me.
13 Please, Lord — come and rescue me. Lord, hurry up and help me. Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me: O LORD, make haste to help me.
14 Let everyone who is trying to take my life end up embarrassed and confused. Let everyone who hopes to see me ruined be chased away in disgrace. Let them be ashamed and confounded together that seek after my soul to destroy it; let them be driven backward and put to shame that wish me evil.
15 Let those who taunt me with "Ha! Ha!" be horrified when shame catches up with them. Let them be desolate for a reward of their shame that say unto me, Aha, aha.
16 But let everyone who looks for you be filled with joy and gladness. Let those who love being saved by you keep saying over and over, "The Lord is great!" Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as love thy salvation say continually, The LORD be magnified.
17 I am poor and in need, but the Lord keeps me on his mind. You are my help and my rescuer. My God, please don't wait any longer! But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me: thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God.
Key Themes
Themes in Psalms 40
God lifts us from the pitA new song of praiseObedience over sacrificeUrgent prayer for help
Prophetic Connections
How this chapter points to Christ
Psalms Psalm 40:6-8 Hebrews 10:5-7
The author of Hebrews attributes these words to Christ entering the world: 'Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me... I have come to do your will, O God.'
Apply This Today
Living Psalms 40
David remembered being stuck in a pit of despair and God reaching down to set His feet on solid rock. That same God is reaching for you right now. And the heart God desires is not religious performance but willing obedience: 'Here I am — I have come to do your will.'
Go Deeper
Study Psalms in Covenant Path
Read every chapter with study aids, bookmarks, and daily reading plans — free in the app.