Psalms 40:1,2 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Bible Comments

I waited patiently for the Lord Hebrew, קוה קויתי, kavvo kivviti, in waiting I waited, or, in hoping I hoped, which doubling of the word signifies that he waited or hoped diligently and earnestly, patiently and perseveringly, until God should be pleased to help him. And he inclined unto me Or bowed himself, or his ear: see Judges 16:30; Psalms 17:6; Psalms 31:2. He brought me up also out of a horrible pit

From desperate dangers and calamities, signified by a similar phrase, Psalms 18:16; Psalms 69:1-2. I was not only on the brink, but in the very bottom of this pit; out of the miry clay In which my feet stuck fast. As David often compares himself in distress to a sinking and drowning man; so here he compares the affliction from which he had been delivered to that of a man thrown into some loathsome and filthy dungeon. And set my feet upon a rock A place of strength and safety; and established my goings Or my steps; that is, kept me from stumbling, or falling again into misery.

Psalms 40:1-2

1 I waiteda patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.

2 He brought me up also out of an horribleb pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.