King James Version
Psalms 40
17 verses with commentary
My Help and My Deliverer
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. I waited: Heb. In waiting I waited
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.</strong> This psalm's opening establishes the pattern of patient waiting rewarded by divine response. The Hebrew phrase <em>qavoh qaviti</em> (קַוֹּה קִוִּיתִי) is emphatic—literally 'waiting I waited' or 'I waited eagerly'—using verbal repetition to intensify meaning. This waiting wasn't passive resignation but ac...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(1) **I waited patiently.**—As the margin shows, this is expressed by the common Hebrew idiom the infinitive absolute with the preterite. We may nearly express it by repetition: *I waited and waited.*
**Inclined . . .**—Either intransitive (comp. Judges 16:30), or with ellipse of the word “ear,” which usually is found with the verb in this conjugation. (See Psalm 17:6; Psalm 31:2.)
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
5-8. God has placed man next in dignity to angels, and but a little lower, and has crowned him with the empire of the world.
**glory and honour--**are the attributes of royal dignity (Psa 21:5; 45:3). The position assigned man is that described (Ge 1:26-28) as belonging to Adam, in his original condition, the terms employed in detailing the subjects of man's dominion corresponding with those the...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 40
Chapter Outline
Job humbles himself to God.
(1-5)
The Lord reasons with Job to show his righteousness, power, and wisdom.
(6-14)
God's power shown in Behemoth.
(15-24)
**Verses 1-5**
Communion with the Lord effectually convinces and humbles a saint, and makes him glad to part with his most beloved sins. There is need to be thoroughly convinced and humbl...
Read full commentary →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. an: Heb. a pit of noise
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>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.</strong> This verse employs vivid metaphorical language to describe divine deliverance. The 'horrible pit' (<em>bor shaon</em>, בּוֹר שָׁאוֹן) literally means 'pit of tumult' or 'roaring pit'—a place of chaos, danger, and destruction. Combined with 'miry clay' (<em>ti...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(2) **Horrible pit.**—The rendering of the margin, “pit of noise,” takes *shaôn *in its primary sense, as in Isaiah 17:12, Psalm 65:7, and the idea of a noise of rushing water suits this passage. Most commentators, however, take it here in the sense the cognate bears in Psalm 35:8, *“*destruction.” The LXX. and Vulg. have “misery.”
**Miry clay.**—The word translated “clay” (comp. Psalm 69:2) is fr...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
5-8. God has placed man next in dignity to angels, and but a little lower, and has crowned him with the empire of the world.
**glory and honour--**are the attributes of royal dignity (Psa 21:5; 45:3). The position assigned man is that described (Ge 1:26-28) as belonging to Adam, in his original condition, the terms employed in detailing the subjects of man's dominion corresponding with those the...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 40
Chapter Outline
Job humbles himself to God.
(1-5)
The Lord reasons with Job to show his righteousness, power, and wisdom.
(6-14)
God's power shown in Behemoth.
(15-24)
**Verses 1-5**
Communion with the Lord effectually convinces and humbles a saint, and makes him glad to part with his most beloved sins. There is need to be thoroughly convinced and humbl...
Read full commentary →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.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>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.</strong> This verse describes the natural consequence of divine deliverance: transformed worship. The 'new song' (<em>shir chadash</em>, שִׁיר חָדָשׁ) isn't merely a new composition but qualitatively new praise arising from fresh experience of God's salvation. Several...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(3) **New song.**—See Psalm 33:3. It seems natural to suppose that this new song is incorporated here; that we have at least the substance of it, if not the words. Possibly the very words are taken up in Psalm 40:4. And we are to find the “newness” in the magnificent vindication of spiritual above formal worship.
**Shall see it and fear.**—Comp. Psalm 52:6, where there is plainly a reminiscence of...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
9. Appropriately, the writer closes this brief but pregnant and sublime song of praise with the terms of admiration with which it was opened.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 40
Chapter Outline
Job humbles himself to God.
(1-5)
The Lord reasons with Job to show his righteousness, power, and wisdom.
(6-14)
God's power shown in Behemoth.
(15-24)
**Verses 1-5**
Communion with the Lord effectually convinces and humbles a saint, and makes him glad to part with his most beloved sins. There is need to be thoroughly convinced and humbl...
Read full commentary →Blessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.
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KJV Study Commentary
The Hebrew <em>ashrei</em> (blessed) describes the deep contentment of one whose trust is exclusively in Yahweh. The contrast with 'the proud' and 'such as turn aside to lies' reveals two competing objects of trust: God's faithful character versus human arrogance and deception. This blessing comes not from circumstances but from the posture of the heart that looks to God alone for security and mea...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(4) **Respecteth not.**—Better, *turneth not towards proud men and false apostates. *The words are, however, somewhat obscure. The LXX. and Vulg. have “vanities and false madnesses.” The words we have rendered *false apostates *are by some translated “turners after idols.” Idolatry is doubtless implied, but not expressed.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 40
Chapter Outline
Job humbles himself to God.
(1-5)
The Lord reasons with Job to show his righteousness, power, and wisdom.
(6-14)
God's power shown in Behemoth.
(15-24)
**Verses 1-5**
Communion with the Lord effectually convinces and humbles a saint, and makes him glad to part with his most beloved sins. There is need to be thoroughly convinced and humbl...
Read full commentary →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. they cannot: or, none can order them unto thee
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KJV Study Commentary
This verse celebrates the innumerability of God's works and thoughts toward His people. The Hebrew <em>mah rabbu</em> ('how many') expresses wonder at divine abundance. God's thoughts (<em>machshavot</em>) toward us are purposeful plans, not random impulses. They cannot be 'reckoned up in order' because they exceed human capacity to catalog divine grace.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(5) **Many, O Lord.**—Better,
“In numbers hast Thou made, Thou Jehovah my God,
Wonderful deeds and purposes for us.
There is nothing comparable to Thee**. . .** .
Would I declare, would I speak,
They are too many to number.”
For the third clause, “There is nothing comparable with Thee,” which is the rendering of the LXX., Vulg**. **and Syriac, comp. Isaiah 40:17.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
PSALM 9 Psa 9:1-20. Upon Muthlabben, or, after the manner according to "death to the Son," by which some song was known, to whose air or melody the musician is directed to perform this Psalm. This mode of denoting a song by some prominent word or words is still common (compare Psa 22:1). The Psalmist praises God for deliverance from his enemies and celebrates the divine government, for providing s...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 40
Chapter Outline
Job humbles himself to God.
(1-5)
The Lord reasons with Job to show his righteousness, power, and wisdom.
(6-14)
God's power shown in Behemoth.
(15-24)
**Verses 1-5**
Communion with the Lord effectually convinces and humbles a saint, and makes him glad to part with his most beloved sins. There is need to be thoroughly convinced and humbl...
Read full commentary →Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required. opened: Heb. digged
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required.</strong> This verse, quoted extensively in Hebrews 10:5-7, represents a watershed moment in biblical theology—the subordination of ritual sacrifice to obedient relationship. David doesn't condemn sacrifice (he participated in temple worship), but he recognizes t...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(6) **Mine ears hast thou opened.**—Literally, *Ears hast thou dug for me, *which can hardly mean anything but “Thou hast given me the sense of hearing.” The words are an echo of 1Samuel 15:22. The attentive ear and obedient heart, not formal rites, constitute true worship. Comp. the words so frequent on the lips of Christ, “He that hath ears to hear let him hear.” The fact that the plural *ears *...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 6-10**
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...
Read full commentary →Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me,
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me.</strong> This verse follows immediately after declaring that God desires obedience rather than sacrifice. The 'Then' (<em>az</em>, אָז) marks responsive action—having understood God's true desire (opened ears), David responds with personal commitment: 'Lo, I come.' The Hebrew <em>hineh ba'ti</em> (הִנֵּה־בָאתִי) expres...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(7) **Then said I.**—This rendering, which follows the LXX. and Vulg., and is adopted in the Epistle to the Hebrews, must be abandoned. The Hebrew means, *Lo! I come, bringing the book written for me, *which no doubt refers to the Law, which in the person of the poet, Israel here produces as warrant for its conduct. Some see a particular allusion to the discovery of the Book of Deuteronomy in Josi...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**3-5. When ... are turned back--**It is the result of God's power alone. He, as a righteous Judge (Psa 7:11), vindicates His people. He rebukes by acts as well as words (Psa 6:1; 18:15), and so effectually as to destroy the names of nations as well as persons.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 6-10**
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...
Read full commentary →I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart. within: Heb. in the midst of my bowels
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.</strong> This verse expands the commitment of verse 7, revealing the internal motivation for obedience. David doesn't merely comply with God's will grudgingly; he 'delights' (<em>chafatzti</em>, חָפַצְתִּי) in it. This same word appeared in verse 6 regarding what God desires—creating beautiful reciprocity: God delights in...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**3-5. When ... are turned back--**It is the result of God's power alone. He, as a righteous Judge (Psa 7:11), vindicates His people. He rebukes by acts as well as words (Psa 6:1; 18:15), and so effectually as to destroy the names of nations as well as persons.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 6-10**
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...
Read full commentary →I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O LORD, thou knowest.
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KJV Study Commentary
David declares his proclamation of 'righteousness in the great congregation.' The Hebrew <em>tzedaqah</em> (righteousness) refers to God's covenant faithfulness and saving acts. The 'great congregation' (<em>qahal rav</em>) indicates public worship where testimony strengthens corporate faith. David's refrain 'I have not refrained my lips' emphasizes bold, unashamed witness.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(9) **I have preached.**—Literally, *I have made countenances glad.*
Notice the rapid succession of clauses, like successive wave-beats of praise, better than any elaborate description to represent the feelings of one whose life was a thanksgiving.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**3-5. When ... are turned back--**It is the result of God's power alone. He, as a righteous Judge (Psa 7:11), vindicates His people. He rebukes by acts as well as words (Psa 6:1; 18:15), and so effectually as to destroy the names of nations as well as persons.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 6-10**
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...
Read full commentary →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.
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KJV Study Commentary
The parallelism intensifies the public nature of David's witness: he has not hidden God's righteousness 'within his heart' but declared faithfulness and salvation. The phrase 'thy lovingkindness' (<em>chesed</em>) and 'thy truth' (<em>emet</em>) form a hendiadys describing God's covenant character--faithful love that is utterly reliable.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
6. Literally, "As to the enemy finished are his ruins for ever. Thou [God] hast destroyed," &c. (1Sa 15:3, 7; 27:8, 9). The wicked are utterly undone. Their ruins shall never be repaired.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 6-10**
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...
Read full commentary →Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, O LORD: let thy lovingkindness and thy truth continually preserve me.
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KJV Study Commentary
David transitions from declaration to petition, asking God not to withhold His 'tender mercies' (<em>rachamim</em>, from the Hebrew word for 'womb,' suggesting motherly compassion). The parallel request for lovingkindness and truth to 'continually preserve me' connects his public testimony with his ongoing need for divine protection.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
7-8. God's eternal possession of a throne of justice is contrasted with the ruin of the wicked.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 11-17**
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 so...
Read full commentary →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. falleth: Heb. forsaketh
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KJV Study Commentary
The shift to lament reveals David's honest assessment: 'innumerable evils have compassed me about.' His 'iniquities' (<em>avonot</em>) have 'taken hold' of him, suggesting consequences of sin that entangle and bind. The phrase 'they are more than the hairs of mine head' echoes verse 5's abundance language but now applied to troubles, creating a striking contrast.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
7-8. God's eternal possession of a throne of justice is contrasted with the ruin of the wicked.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 11-17**
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 so...
Read full commentary →Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me: O LORD, make haste to help me.
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KJV Study Commentary
This urgent plea--'Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me'--uses the Hebrew <em>ratsah</em> (be pleased, take delight). David appeals not to his own merit but to God's gracious disposition. The cry for God to 'make haste to help me' reflects desperate dependence, acknowledging that only divine intervention can rescue from overwhelming circumstances.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(13) **Be pleased.**—From this verse onwards, with some trifling variations which will be noticed under that psalm, this passage occurs as Psalms 70, where see Notes.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
9-10. The oppressed, and all who know Him (Psa 5:3; 7:1), find Him a sure refuge.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 11-17**
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 so...
Read full commentary →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.
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KJV Study Commentary
The imprecatory petition against those who seek David's soul to destroy it employs vivid imagery: 'ashamed and confounded together,' 'driven backward,' 'put to shame.' These phrases describe complete reversal of the enemies' plans--their aggression will return upon them. This is not personal vendetta but appeal to divine justice.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
9-10. The oppressed, and all who know Him (Psa 5:3; 7:1), find Him a sure refuge.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 11-17**
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 so...
Read full commentary →Let them be desolate for a reward of their shame that say unto me, Aha, aha.
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KJV Study Commentary
Continuing the imprecation, David asks that his enemies be 'desolate' (<em>shamem</em>) as a 'reward of their shame.' The phrase 'Aha, aha' represents mocking laughter, the enemies' contempt for David. Their gloating will be silenced when God vindicates His servant, transforming their mockery into their own desolation.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
11. (Compare Psa 2:6; 3:4).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 11-17**
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 so...
Read full commentary →Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as love thy salvation say continually, The LORD be magnified.
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KJV Study Commentary
The psalm turns from imprecation to blessing, praying that 'all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad.' The contrast between those who seek God's destruction and those who seek God Himself is stark. The phrase 'such as love thy salvation' defines true worshipers: those who delight not merely in deliverance but in the God who saves.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**12. for blood--**that is, murders (Psa 5:6), including all the oppressions of His people.
**maketh inquisition--**(compare Ge 9:5). He will avenge their cause.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 11-17**
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 so...
Read full commentary →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.
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KJV Study Commentary
The psalm concludes with paradoxical confession: David is 'poor and needy' yet the LORD 'thinketh upon me.' The Hebrew <em>chashav</em> (think, account, reckon) indicates intentional, ongoing attention from God. Despite David's inadequacy, he is not forgotten. The closing petition 'make no tarrying, O my God' expresses urgent trust without demanding immediate resolution.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**13. gates--**or, "regions."
**of death--**Gates being the entrance is put for the bounds.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 11-17**
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 so...
Read full commentary →