King James Version

What Does Psalms 40:3 Mean?

Psalms 40:3 in the King James Version says “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 LO...” — study this verse from Psalms chapter 40 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Psalms 40:3 · KJV

Fear & Courage

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.

5

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

Read Psalms 40 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study 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. This verse describes the natural consequence of divine deliverance: transformed worship. The 'new song' (shir chadash, שִׁיר חָדָשׁ) isn't merely a new composition but qualitatively new praise arising from fresh experience of God's salvation. Several psalms call for 'new songs' (Psalms 33:3, 96:1, 98:1, 144:9, 149:1), each celebrating God's mighty acts that demand fresh response.

'He hath put' (natan, נָתַן) emphasizes divine agency—God gives the song, just as He gave the deliverance. We don't manufacture praise through effort; it's God's gift flowing from His work. When God saves, praise inevitably follows. This contrasts with attempts to generate enthusiasm through emotional manipulation; genuine worship springs from genuine encounter with God's saving power.

'In my mouth' (befi, בְּפִי) indicates that inner gratitude must find vocal expression. Worship isn't merely private feeling but public declaration. Romans 10:10 connects heart belief with mouth confession: 'With the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.' The saved person becomes witness, the delivered becomes testifier, the rescued becomes herald of God's goodness.

The final clause reveals worship's evangelistic effect: 'many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.' David's deliverance and subsequent praise become testimony that draws others to faith. 'See' (yir'u, יִרְאוּ) means to perceive, to understand, to recognize. 'Fear' (veyira'u, וְיִירָאוּ) means reverent awe, not terror—recognizing God's power and holiness. 'Trust' (veyivtechu, וְיִבְטְחוּ) is the goal—that observers would place confident faith in YHWH. One person's testimony multiplies as others witness God's faithfulness and respond with their own trust. This is how revival spreads—not through programs but through authentic testimonies of God's saving power.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Israel's worship tradition centered on recounting God's mighty acts. The psalms function as testimony set to music, enabling corporate remembrance and celebration of divine faithfulness. Historical psalms like 78, 105, 106, and 136 rehearse salvation history—exodus, wilderness wandering, conquest, and covenant faithfulness. Each generation received and transmitted these testimonies, maintaining living connection to God's past acts and expecting future deliverance.

The 'new song' motif appears prominently in contexts of divine intervention. Exodus 15 records Moses and Israel's 'new song' after Red Sea deliverance. Judges 5 preserves Deborah and Barak's song after defeating Sisera. These weren't pre-composed liturgies but spontaneous responses to fresh experiences of God's salvation. The newness wasn't stylistic innovation but theological content—celebrating newly accomplished deliverance.

The verse's evangelistic dimension reflects Israel's missionary calling. Though not commissioned to global evangelism like the church, Israel was to be 'a kingdom of priests' (Exodus 19:6), a 'light to the Gentiles' (Isaiah 42:6, 49:6). When God blessed, delivered, or exalted Israel, surrounding nations were to observe and recognize YHWH's supremacy. Solomon's dedicatory prayer for the temple requested that 'all people of the earth may know thy name, to fear thee' (1 Kings 8:43).

The New Testament amplifies this evangelistic dimension. Peter calls the church 'a chosen generation... that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light' (1 Peter 2:9). The church's primary evangelistic method is testimony—believers declaring what God has done. Paul's conversion testimony appears three times in Acts, becoming paradigmatic for Christian witness. Revelation prophesies that the redeemed will sing 'a new song' before the throne (Revelation 5:9, 14:3), celebrating completed redemption.

Reflection Questions

  1. What 'new song' has God put in your mouth through recent deliverance or blessing?
  2. How does your vocal praise serve as witness that might lead others to trust the LORD?
  3. In what ways do you need to move from private gratitude to public testimony?
  4. Who in your sphere of influence needs to 'see' God's work in your life and respond with fear and trust?
  5. How can you ensure your worship remains fresh response to God's acts rather than mere routine?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 11 words
וַיִּתֵּ֬ן1 of 11

“And he hath put”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

בְּפִ֨י׀2 of 11

“in my mouth”

H6310

the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos

שִׁ֥יר3 of 11

“song”

H7892

a song; abstractly, singing

חָדָשׁ֮4 of 11

“a new”

H2319

new

תְּהִלָּ֪ה5 of 11

“even praise”

H8416

laudation; specifically (concretely) a hymn

לֵֽאלֹ֫הֵ֥ינוּ6 of 11

“unto our God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

יִרְא֣וּ7 of 11

“shall see”

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

רַבִּ֣ים8 of 11

“many”

H7227

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

וְיִירָ֑אוּ9 of 11

“it and fear”

H3372

to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten

וְ֝יִבְטְח֗וּ10 of 11

“and shall trust”

H982

properly, to hie for refuge (but not so precipitately as h2620); figuratively, to trust, be confident or sure

בַּיהוָֽה׃11 of 11

“in the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

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 40:3 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 40:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 33:3Psalms 103:1-5Psalms 34:1-6Psalms 52:6Revelation 5:9-10Isaiah 12:1-4

Test Your Knowledge

Psalms 40 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterPsalms Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Psalms 40 with CommentaryAll Psalms ChaptersComplete Psalms QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes