United Commentaries

Ps.40.1-17

This psalm includes a thanksgiving song (40:1-10) followed by a lament (40:11-17). The thanksgiving song includes the reason for the thanksgiving (40:1-5), an affirmation of commitment (40:6-8), and a public testimony of God’s character (40:7-10). The lament concerns the psalmist’s troubles because of his sins (40:11-12) and is followed by two prayers for vindication (40:13-15, 17).

Ps.40.1-5

The psalmist thanks the Lord for his rescue and testifies that God can be trusted.

Ps.40.6

The Lord delights in the attitude and character of the person making an offering more than in the offering itself.

Now that you have made me listen, I finally understand: Greek text reads You have given me a body. In Heb 10:5-7, the writer quotes from the Greek version of Ps 40:6-8. He casts the words as something Jesus said as he left heaven and came into the world.

Ps.40.7

As is written about me in the Scriptures: Moses had recorded God’s requirements for Israel’s kings in Deut 17:14-15.

Ps.40.11

The psalmist prays that the Lord will be true to his character when answering this plea for mercy.

Ps.40.12-17

The psalmist is troubled by both his adversities and his own sins and prays for rescue.

This passage is repeated almost verbatim as Ps 70.