King James Version

What Does Psalms 40:10 Mean?

Psalms 40:10 in the King James Version says “I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not conceal...” — study this verse from Psalms chapter 40 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Psalms 40:10 · KJV

SalvationTruth

Context

8

I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart. within: Heb. in the midst of my bowels

9

I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O LORD, thou knowest.

10

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.

11

Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, O LORD: let thy lovingkindness and thy truth continually preserve me.

12

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

Read Psalms 40 full chapter

Commentary

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' (chesed) and 'thy truth' (emet) form a hendiadys describing God's covenant character--faithful love that is utterly reliable.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The terms chesed and emet frequently appear together as essential attributes of Yahweh, distinguishing Him from capricious pagan deities. This pairing appears in God's self-revelation to Moses (Exodus 34:6).

Reflection Questions

  1. Why might we be tempted to 'hide' God's righteousness within our hearts rather than declaring it?
  2. How do lovingkindness and truth together describe God's character?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
צִדְקָתְךָ֬1 of 14

“thy righteousness”

H6666

rightness (abstractly), subjectively (rectitude), objectively (justice), morally (virtue) or figuratively (prosperity)

לֹא2 of 14
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

כִסִּ֨יתִי׀3 of 14

“I have not hid”

H3680

properly, to plump, i.e., fill up hollows; by implication, to cover (for clothing or secrecy)

בְּת֬וֹךְ4 of 14

“within”

H8432

a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center

לִבִּ֗י5 of 14

“my heart”

H3820

the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything

אֱמוּנָתְךָ֣6 of 14

“thy faithfulness”

H530

literally firmness; figuratively security; morally fidelity

וּתְשׁוּעָתְךָ֣7 of 14

“and thy salvation”

H8668

rescue (literal or figurative, persons, national or spiritual)

אָמָ֑רְתִּי8 of 14

“I have declared”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לֹא9 of 14
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

כִחַ֥דְתִּי10 of 14

“I have not concealed”

H3582

to secrete, by act or word; hence (intensively) to destroy

חַסְדְּךָ֥11 of 14

“thy lovingkindness”

H2617

kindness; by implication (towards god) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty

וַ֝אֲמִתְּךָ֗12 of 14

“and thy truth”

H571

stability; (figuratively) certainty, truth, trustworthiness

לְקָהָ֥ל13 of 14

“congregation”

H6951

assemblage (usually concretely)

רָֽב׃14 of 14

“from the great”

H7227

abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Psalms. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Psalms 40:10 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Psalms 40:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Romans 1:16-17Acts 20:20-21Romans 10:9-101 Timothy 1:15Luke 2:30-321 Thessalonians 1:8

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