Psalms 40

King James Version

Full text for Psalms Chapter 40

1¶ To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.

2He 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.

3And 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.

4Blessed [is] that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.

5Many, 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.

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

7Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book [it is] written of me,

8I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law [is] within my heart.

9I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O LORD, thou knowest.

10I 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.

12For 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.

13Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me: O LORD, make haste to help me.

14Let 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.

15Let them be desolate for a reward of their shame that say unto me, Aha, aha.

16Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as love thy salvation say continually, The LORD be magnified.

17But I [am] poor and needy; [yet] the Lord thinketh upon me: thou [art] my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

The psalmist recounts his patient waiting for the Lord, who delivered him from despair and established his path, inspiring a new song of praise. He emphasizes that God desires obedience and a willing heart more than sacrifices, as he delights in doing God's will and openly declares His truth. The psalm concludes with a plea for continued divine help against overwhelming evils and adversaries, trusting in God's swift deliverance despite his own neediness.

Medium Summary

David begins by testifying to God's faithfulness, recounting how he patiently waited for the Lord, who heard his cry and rescued him from a desperate situation, setting his feet firmly. This deliverance inspired a new song of praise, leading others to trust in the Lord. He then declares that God values obedience and a willing heart over ritual sacrifices, expressing his delight in doing God's will, which is written in his heart and in "the volume of the book." The psalmist affirms his public proclamation of God's righteousness, faithfulness, and salvation to the congregation. Finally, he transitions to a fervent prayer for continued mercy and swift deliverance, acknowledging that innumerable evils and iniquities have encompassed him. He asks for his enemies to be shamed while those who seek God rejoice, concluding with a humble plea for God, his help and deliverer, not to delay.

Long Summary

Psalm 40 opens with David's testimony of patient waiting for the Lord, who graciously inclined to him and heard his desperate cry. He vividly describes being lifted from a "horrible pit" and "miry clay," with his feet set upon a rock and his steps established, signifying a profound rescue and restoration. This divine intervention prompted a new song of praise, intended to inspire fear and trust in the Lord among many. The psalmist then extols the blessedness of those who trust in the Lord, acknowledging the countless and immeasurable wonderful works and thoughts of God. A pivotal shift occurs as David declares God's preference for obedience over ritualistic sacrifices and offerings, stating that his ears were "opened" or a body prepared. He expresses his personal commitment to fulfilling God's will, delighting in His law which is inscribed within his heart, as foretold in "the volume of the book." He further asserts his unwavering dedication to publicly proclaiming God's righteousness, faithfulness, salvation, lovingkindness, and truth to the great congregation, without concealment. The psalm then transitions to a fervent supplication, as David implores the Lord not to withhold tender mercies but to continually preserve him with lovingkindness and truth. He confesses that he is encompassed by innumerable evils and his own iniquities, which have overwhelmed him to the point of despair. Therefore, he urgently pleads for God's swift deliverance and help. The psalmist also prays for the shame and confusion of his enemies who seek his destruction and mock him, while simultaneously desiring that all who seek the Lord may rejoice and continually magnify Him. Despite acknowledging his own state as "poor and needy," David concludes with a confident affirmation that the Lord thinks upon him and is his ultimate help and deliverer, urging God to make no tarrying.

Core Concepts

  • Divine DeliveranceGod's act of rescuing the psalmist from a desperate state ("horrible pit," "miry clay") and establishing his path, leading to a new song of praise.
  • Obedience Over SacrificeThe theological assertion that God desires a willing heart and the performance of His will more than traditional burnt offerings and and sin offerings.
  • The Law in the HeartThe psalmist's delight in God's will and law, which is internalized and deeply cherished, signifying a personal and intimate commitment to divine precepts.
  • Public Proclamation of TruthThe psalmist's active and unreserved declaration of God's righteousness, faithfulness, salvation, lovingkindness, and truth to the assembled congregation.
  • Prayer for Help Against AdversityA fervent plea for God's continued mercy and swift deliverance from overwhelming evils, personal iniquities, and the malicious intent of enemies.
  • Trust in God's ProvidenceDespite acknowledging his own "poor and needy" state, the psalmist expresses unwavering confidence that the Lord cares for him and is his ultimate help and deliverer.