Psalms 40:1-17 - G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible

Reader Related Verse
Bible Comments

Again we find in this psalm the perfect structure found in Psalms 27:1-14. Praise prepares for prayer. The experience has mounted higher than in the preceding song (39). The singer still suffers diction, but a new consciousness of Jehovah, resulting from having "waited patiently" for Him, inspires a lofty song of praise (verses Psa 40:1-10). This gives the soul a great freedom to pour out its complaint (verses Psa 40:11-16), after which an affirmation of faith and a final prayer (verse Psa 40:17) concludes the psalm.

The patient waiting resulted in the singer's feeling that Jehovah was bending over him and listening to his cry. Then comes a new song which is rightly interpreted at its deepest in the words of the hymn-

Glory to Thee for all the pace

I have not tasted yet.

This is expressed in recognition of the activity of Jehovah God and the certainty that His one purpose for His people is that they should delight in His will and proclaim Him to others.

Then follows the prayer. Sorrow and sin have oppressed the heart beyond the power of its endurance. In distress and yet in confidence, appeal is made to Jehovah. The final word of confidence is very full of beauty-

The Lord thinketh upon me.

Related Commentaries of Psalms 40:1

Psalms 40:1-17

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.

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.

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

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 withind my heart.

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

10 I 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.

12 For 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.

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

14 Let 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.

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

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

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