USB ~ Psalms 40

Gratitude and Prayer for Help

1 For the leader. A psalm of David.

2 Surely, I wait for the LORD; who bends down to me and hears my cry, a

3 Draws me up from the pit of destruction, out of the muddy clay, b Sets my feet upon rock, steadies my steps,

4 And puts a new song† in my mouth, c a hymn to our God. Many shall look on in fear and they shall trust in the LORD.

5 Blessed the man who sets his security in the LORD, who turns not to the arrogant or to those who stray after falsehood. d

6 You, yes you, O LORD, my God, have done many wondrous deeds! And in your plans for us there is none to equal you. e Should I wish to declare or tell them, too many are they to recount. f

7 †Sacrifice and offering you do not want; g you opened my ears. Holocaust and sin-offering you do not request;

8 so I said, “See; I come with an inscribed scroll written upon me.

9 I delight to do your will, my God; your law is in my inner being!” h

10 When I sing of your righteousness in a great assembly, See, I do not restrain my lips; as you, LORD, know. i

11 I do not conceal your righteousness within my heart; I speak of your loyalty and your salvation. I do not hide your mercy or faithfulness from a great assembly.

12 LORD, may you not withhold your compassion from me; May your mercy and your faithfulness continually protect me. j

13 But evils surround me until they cannot be counted. My sins overtake me, so that I can no longer see. They are more numerous than the hairs of my head; my courage fails me. k

14 LORD, graciously rescue me! l Come quickly to help me, LORD!

15 May those who seek to destroy my life be shamed and confounded. Turn back in disgrace those who desire my ruin. m

16 Let those who say to me “Aha!” n Be made desolate on account of their shame.

17 While those who seek you rejoice and be glad in you. May those who long for your salvation always say, “The LORD is great.” o

18 Though I am afflicted and poor, my Lord keeps me in mind. You are my help and deliverer; my God, do not delay!

Footnotes

†. Psalm 40 A thanksgiving (Ps 40:2-13) has been combined with a lament (Ps 40:14-17) that appears also in Ps 70. The psalmist describes the rescue in spatial terms—being raised up from the swampy underworld to firm earth where one can praise God (Ps 40:2-4). All who trust God will experience like protection (Ps 40:5-6)! The Psalm stipulates the precise mode of thanksgiving: not animal sacrifice but open and enthusiastic proclamation of the salvation just experienced (Ps 40:7-11). A prayer for protection concludes (Ps 40:12-17).

†. 40:4 A new song: a song in response to the new action of God (cf. Ps 33:3; 96:1; 144:9; 149:1; Is 42:10). Giving thanks is not purely a human response but is itself a divine gift.

†. 40:7-9 Obedience is better than sacrifice (cf. 1 Sm 15:22; Is 1:10-20; Hos 6:6; Am 5:22-25; Mi 6:6-8; Acts 7:42-43 quoting Am 5:25-26). Heb 10:5-9 quotes the somewhat different Greek version and interprets it as Christ’s self-oblation.

a. 40:2Lam 3:25.

b. 40:3Ps 28:1; 30:4; 69:3, 15-16; 88:5; Prv 1:12; Jon 2:7.

c. 40:4Ps 33:3.

d. 40:5Ps 1:1; Prv 16:20; Jer 17:7.

e. 40:6Ps 35:10.

f. 40:6Ps 71:15; 139:17-18.

g. 40:7-9Heb 10:5-7; Ps 51:18-19; Am 5:22; Hos 6:6; Is 1:11-15.

h. 40:9Ps 37:31.

i. 40:10Ps 22:23; 26:12; 35:18; 149:1.

j. 40:12Ps 89:34.

k. 40:13Ps 38:5, 11; Ezr 9:6.

l. 40:14-18Ps 70:2-6; 71:12.

m. 40:15Ps 35:4, 26.

n. 40:16Ps 35:21, 25.

o. 40:17Ps 35:27.