King James Version

What Does Psalms 40:2 Mean?

Psalms 40:2 in the King James Version says “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 goin...” — study this verse from Psalms chapter 40 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Psalms 40:2 · KJV

Context

1

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

2

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

3

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

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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Commentary

KJV Study 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. This verse employs vivid metaphorical language to describe divine deliverance. The 'horrible pit' (bor shaon, בּוֹר שָׁאוֹן) literally means 'pit of tumult' or 'roaring pit'—a place of chaos, danger, and destruction. Combined with 'miry clay' (tit hayaven, טִיט הַיָּוֵן), which evokes quicksand or deep mud where one sinks hopelessly, the imagery suggests desperate, life-threatening circumstances from which escape is humanly impossible.

Jeremiah's experience literalizes this metaphor—enemies lowered him into a muddy cistern where he sank in mire (Jeremiah 38:6). But the imagery also carries theological significance: the pit represents death, Sheol, judgment, or the consequences of sin. Jonah prayed from the fish's belly, 'Out of the belly of hell cried I' (Jonah 2:2). Paul wrote that we were 'dead in trespasses and sins' (Ephesians 2:1)—sunk in the miry clay of sin's consequences.

'He brought me up' (vaya'aleni, וַיַּעֲלֵנִי) uses the verb for ascending, lifting, raising—the opposite of sinking. God doesn't merely improve our circumstances within the pit; He lifts us completely out. This deliverance is entirely God's work—the one stuck in mire cannot extract himself. Similarly, salvation is God's work from start to finish: 'By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God' (Ephesians 2:8).

'Set my feet upon a rock' (vayaqem al sela raglai, וַיָּקֶם עַל־סֶלַע רַגְלָי) contrasts unstable mire with solid rock. The rock represents security, stability, unchanging foundation. Jesus concluded the Sermon on the Mount with this imagery: building on rock versus sand (Matthew 7:24-27). Paul identified the rock as Christ: 'For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ' (1 Corinthians 3:11). 'Established my goings' (konen ashurai, כּוֹנֵן אֲשֻׁרָי) means He made my steps firm, directed my path, stabilized my walk. God doesn't just deliver us from danger but establishes us in security and directs us in righteousness.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The pit and miry clay imagery resonates with ancient Near Eastern geography and experience. Cisterns for water storage were common in Palestine's limestone terrain, and falling into empty or muddy cisterns posed serious danger. David, familiar with Judean wilderness, would have known such cisterns. The imagery also evokes the mythological 'pit' (Sheol) representing death and the grave, making this both physical and spiritual deliverance.

Israel's history includes literal pit deliverances: Joseph thrown into a pit by his brothers (Genesis 37:24), Jeremiah lowered into a muddy cistern (Jeremiah 38:6), and the three Hebrew youths threatened with the fiery furnace (Daniel 3). Each narrative demonstrates God's power to deliver those who trust Him, even from humanly impossible situations. These stories became paradigms for understanding God's salvation—He rescues from the pit of death and establishes on the rock of His faithfulness.

The exodus represents Israel's foundational pit-to-rock deliverance. Enslaved in Egypt (pit of bondage), stuck in seemingly inescapable circumstances (miry clay), they cried to God who heard and delivered them through the Red Sea, eventually bringing them to Sinai (rock) where He established them as His covenant people. The exodus pattern—bondage, deliverance, covenant establishment—became the template for understanding all of God's saving work.

Early Christians applied this psalm to Christ's death and resurrection. Jesus descended into death (the pit), but God 'brought him up' in resurrection, establishing Him at the Father's right hand (the rock). Peter's Pentecost sermon quoted David's psalms to explain resurrection: 'Thou wilt not leave my soul in hell [Hades/the pit]' (Acts 2:27, quoting Psalm 16:10). Believers share Christ's pattern—raised from spiritual death, established on the Rock (Christ), and given firm footing for godly living.

Reflection Questions

  1. What 'horrible pit' has God delivered you from, and how do you testify to that deliverance?
  2. In what ways is being stuck in 'miry clay' an accurate picture of life without Christ?
  3. How does understanding that deliverance is entirely God's work ('He brought me up') affect your gratitude?
  4. What does it mean practically to have your feet set 'upon a rock' in daily life?
  5. How has God 'established your goings'—directed and stabilized your path since delivering you?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 11 words
וַיַּעֲלֵ֤נִי׀1 of 11

“He brought me up”

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

מִבּ֥וֹר2 of 11

“pit”

H953

a pit hole (especially one used as a cistern or a prison)

שָׁאוֹן֮3 of 11

“also out of an horrible”

H7588

uproar (as of rushing); by implication, destruction

מִטִּ֪יט4 of 11

“clay”

H2916

mud or clay; figuratively, calamity

הַיָּ֫וֵ֥ן5 of 11

“out of the miry”

H3121

properly, dregs (as effervescing); hence, mud

וַיָּ֖קֶם6 of 11

“and set”

H6965

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

עַל7 of 11
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

סֶ֥לַע8 of 11

“upon a rock”

H5553

a craggy rock, literally or figuratively (a fortress)

רַגְלַ֗י9 of 11

“my feet”

H7272

a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda

כּוֹנֵ֥ן10 of 11

“and established”

H3559

properly, to be erect (i.e., stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a great variety of applications, whether literal (establish, fix,

אֲשֻׁרָֽי׃11 of 11

“my goings”

H838

a step

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 40:2 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 40:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 37:23Psalms 119:133Psalms 27:5Matthew 7:24-25Psalms 61:2Psalms 71:20

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