King James Version

What Does Psalms 40:7 Mean?

Psalms 40:7 in the King James Version says “Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me,” — study this verse from Psalms chapter 40 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me,”

Psalms 40:7 · KJV

Context

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

6

Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required. opened: Heb. digged

7

Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me,

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.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me. This verse follows immediately after declaring that God desires obedience rather than sacrifice. The 'Then' (az, אָז) marks responsive action—having understood God's true desire (opened ears), David responds with personal commitment: 'Lo, I come.' The Hebrew hineh ba'ti (הִנֵּה־בָאתִי) expresses ready willingness and immediate availability: 'Behold, I have come' or 'Here I am.'

This language echoes significant biblical moments of responsive obedience. Abraham answered God's call: 'Behold, here I am' (Genesis 22:1). Moses responded at the burning bush: 'Here am I' (Exodus 3:4). Samuel, awakened by God's voice, replied: 'Speak; for thy servant heareth' (1 Samuel 3:10). Isaiah, seeing God's glory, volunteered: 'Here am I; send me' (Isaiah 6:8). Each instance represents decisive moment of commitment when human will aligns with divine purpose.

'In the volume of the book it is written of me' (bimegillat sefer katuv alai, בִּמְגִלַּת־סֵפֶר כָּתוּב עָלָי) references Scripture's authority and personal application. The 'volume of the book' (megillat sefer, מְגִלַּת־סֵפֶר) means 'scroll of the book'—likely Torah or the scriptural record. David recognizes that his life, calling, and responsibilities are 'written'—prescribed, ordained, determined by God's revealed word. He submits to Scripture's authority, accepting what God has written concerning him.

Hebrews 10:7 applies this verse to Christ: 'Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.' The writer sees Christ speaking these words upon entering the world—recognizing His messianic calling written in Scripture and committing to fulfill it. Christ came to do what Scripture predicted and prescribed—the suffering servant (Isaiah 53), the rejected cornerstone (Psalm 118:22), the pierced one (Zechariah 12:10). His entire life fulfilled what was 'written of Him' in Old Testament Scripture.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The concept of one's destiny being 'written in the book' reflects ancient Near Eastern scribal culture where written documents carried authority and permanence. Kings kept chronicles; priests maintained genealogies; prophets recorded oracles. Written texts transcended oral tradition's fluidity, establishing fixed, authoritative record. When David says 'it is written of me,' he acknowledges submission to established, divinely authorized text.

For Israel, Torah represented God's written will—instructions for how covenant people should live. Reading and applying Torah was central to godliness: 'This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein' (Joshua 1:8). Kings were commanded to write their own Torah copy and read it daily (Deuteronomy 17:18-19). David's reference to the book reflects this Torah-centered piety.

The Dead Sea Scrolls reveal how Second Temple Judaism searched Scripture for messianic prophecies, believing Israel's future redemption was 'written' in prophetic texts awaiting fulfillment. The Essenes produced pesharim (interpretive commentaries) explaining how contemporary events fulfilled ancient prophecies. This interpretive tradition provided foundation for New Testament christological reading of Old Testament texts.

Early Christianity understood Jesus as Scripture's fulfillment. Matthew repeatedly notes events happening 'that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet' (Matthew 1:22, 2:15, 17, 23, etc.). Jesus told His disciples, 'All things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me' (Luke 24:44). The church saw the entire Old Testament as testimony to Christ, all pointing toward His coming, death, and resurrection.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does it mean for you to say 'Lo, I come' in response to God's call?
  2. How do you discern what is 'written of you' in Scripture—your calling and responsibilities before God?
  3. In what ways does Scripture's authority shape your decisions and life direction?
  4. How does Christ's fulfillment of what was 'written of Him' encourage your obedience to what God has written for you?
  5. What might God be calling you to that requires a 'here I am' response of immediate availability?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 8 words
אָ֣ז1 of 8
H227

at that time or place; also as a conjunction, therefore

אָ֭מַרְתִּי2 of 8

“Then said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

הִנֵּה3 of 8
H2009

lo!

בָ֑אתִי4 of 8

“I Lo I come”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

בִּמְגִלַּת5 of 8

“in the volume”

H4039

a roll

סֵ֝֗פֶר6 of 8

“of the book”

H5612

properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a book

כָּת֥וּב7 of 8

“it is written”

H3789

to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe)

עָלָֽי׃8 of 8
H5921

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

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 40:7 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 40:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Hebrews 10:7-9Luke 24:44John 5:39Luke 24:271 Corinthians 15:3-41 Peter 1:10-11

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