Psalms 40:2 - Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible

I waited patiently, Heb. in waiting I waited; which doubling of the word notes that he waited diligently and earnestly, patiently and perseveringly, until God should please to help him. He inclined, or, bowed, to wit, himself, as this very word is rendered, Judges 16:30; or, his ear, as it is more fully expressed, Psalms 17:6, Psalms 31:2. Such ellipses or defects are frequent in Scripture, as Psalms 3:6, Psalms 10:1 Ecclesiastes 6:3, Ecclesiastes 7:15. Out of an horrible pit; or, out of a sounding pit so called either from the clamours of men or beasts falling into it; or from the many waters which fall down into it, not without a great noise. I was not only upon the brink, but in the very bottom of the pit, i.e. in desperate dangers and calamities, as this phrase signifies, Psalms 18:16, Psalms 69:1,2. Out of the miry clay; in which my feet stuck fast. Upon a rock; a place of strength and safety. My goings, or, my steps, i.e. kept me from stumbling or falling into mischief.