The Bible — World English Bible
Psalm 40
In brief
Psalm 40 is a psalm of David in two parts. It begins with a testimony: God heard his cry, lifted him out of the pit and put a new song in his mouth. David recognizes that God desires obedience more than sacrifices, and he publicly proclaims God's faithfulness. He ends with a cry of distress: innumerable evils surround him, and he asks God to hurry to help him.
The chapter in 4 parts
1I waited patiently for Yahweh. He turned to me, and heard my cry.
2He brought me up also out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay. He set my feet on a rock, and gave me a firm place to stand.
3He has put a new song in my mouth, even praise to our God. Many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in Yahweh.
4Blessed is the man who makes Yahweh his trust, and doesn’t respect the proud, nor such as turn away to lies.
5Many, Yahweh, my God, are the wonderful works which you have done, and your thoughts which are toward us. They can’t be declared back to you. If I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be counted.
6Sacrifice and offering you didn’t desire. You have opened my ears. You have not required burnt offering and sin offering.
7Then I said, “Behold, I have come. It is written about me in the book in the scroll.
8I delight to do your will, my God. Yes, your law is within my heart.”
9I have proclaimed glad news of righteousness in the great assembly. Behold, I will not seal my lips, Yahweh, you know.
10I have not hidden your righteousness within my heart. I have declared your faithfulness and your salvation. I have not concealed your loving kindness and your truth from the great assembly.
11Don’t withhold your tender mercies from me, Yahweh. Let your loving kindness and your truth continually preserve me.
12For innumerable evils have surrounded me. My iniquities have overtaken me, so that I am not able to look up. They are more than the hairs of my head. My heart has failed me.
13Be pleased, Yahweh, to deliver me. Hurry to help me, Yahweh.
14Let them be disappointed and confounded together who seek after my soul to destroy it. Let them be turned backward and brought to dishonor who delight in my hurt.
15Let them be desolate by reason of their shame that tell me, “Aha! Aha!”
16Let all those who seek you rejoice and be glad in you. Let such as love your salvation say continually, “Let Yahweh be exalted!”
17But I am poor and needy. May the Lord think about me. You are my help and my deliverer. Don’t delay, my God.
Key verses
He brought me up also out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay. He set my feet on a rock, and gave me a firm place to stand.
David describes his rescue with concrete images: the pit, the mud, then the rock where his feet are set. God does not leave him where he was.
He has put a new song in my mouth, even praise to our God. Many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in Yahweh.
God puts a new song in his mouth. Deliverance becomes a testimony that leads others to trust.
Then I said, “Behold, I have come. It is written about me in the book in the scroll. I delight to do your will, my God. Yes, your law is within my heart.”
These verses speak of the scroll of the book written about David. The letter to the Hebrews applies them to Jesus, who came to do God's will.
But I am poor and needy. May the Lord think about me. You are my help and my deliverer. Don’t delay, my God.
David calls himself poor and needy yet sure that the Lord thinks about him. This ending shows that praise and a request for help can belong in the same psalm.
Bible verses to meditate on
Test your knowledge
What the sermons say
Frequently asked questions about Psalm 40
What does Psalm 40 mean?
Psalm 40 tells of the gratitude of a man brought out of a great trial, then his renewed call for help. God hears, lifts up, puts a new song in his mouth and expects more from his servant than sacrifices: a life that does his will. Praising and asking can go together.
Who wrote Psalm 40?
The title attributes it to David and addresses it to the choir director. The letter to the Hebrews quotes verses 6 to 8 about Jesus, who came to do God's will. Christians therefore read this psalm on two levels: David's experience and that of the Christ.
How can I pray or meditate on Psalm 40?
Begin with verses 1 to 3, remembering a time when God lifted you up. Then read verse 8 as a commitment: to do his will. Finish with verse 17, entrusting to him what you lack and telling him that you count on him and on his answer.
Articles quoting Psalm 40
World English Bible translation — public domain.