Psalms 40

David doth prophesy here under his type of our Saviour Christ his bitter and patient suffering, fervent prayer, and wonderful deliverance: moreover of the putting down of the offerings and sacrifices of the old Testament, by the only offering of Christ, and of the preaching of the Gospel in the Church of the Jews and Gentiles, together with the confusion and destruction of all Enemies, and the rejoicing of all the faithful that love his salvation, and magnify God for it.

1. Davids Psalm for the chief song-master. [See Psa.4.on v.1.]

2. I have waited long for the LORD; [Heb. Waiting waited] and he hath enclined himself to me, [or inclined (the ear) to me, as Psa.17.6.] and heard my cry, or roaring.

3. And he hath fetch me up out of a roaring pit, [Heb. Pit of boisterousness, where the waters swelling and bubbling up still, make a continual boisterous noise. He doth hereby imply, that his perils and dangers were so great and many, that there was no Human recovery or getting out thence] out of the muddy mire, [Heb. Out of the mire of mud. Compare Psa.69.3. and 38,6.10. Item Job 30.on v.19.] and hath put my feet upon a rock, he hath made my goings firm.

4. And he hath given a new song [See Psa. 33.on v.3.] into my mouth, a praise-song to our God: [he hath taught me a new song himself as it were, and stirred me up into it by his spirit. Compare Exod.4.on v.15. and Deut.18.on v.18. Item Psa.51.17.] shall see it and fear, and trust in the LORD.

5. Right happy is the man that puts the LORD for his confidence, [So that he trust and repose on him alone] and looketh not about after the proud, and these that turn away to lies, [i.e. to false, idolatrous, vain, deceitful help, comfort and assurance.]

6. Thou O LORD my God hast made thy wonders, and thy thoughts on us [Understand thoughts of peace, as Jer.29.11. i.e. thy counsel and purpose of doing good unto us] many, [or great. The meaning is, thou hast revealed these ways and counsels of thine by many wonderful mercies and benefits] one can not rehearse them in order with thee; if I shall declare and utter them, they are more manifold [Heb. Stronger, viz. In Number and 50.v.13.] then that I should be able to relate them.

7. Thou hast [These are the words of our Saviour Christ, whom David by a prophetical spirit thus introduceth, speaking unto his Father. See Heb.10.5,6,7.] had no pleasure in sacrifice and meat offerings, and for their sakes to be reconciled to sinful man; for that was impossible, Heb.10.4.] thou hast bored (or pierced) me in the ears through, [i.e. engaged me to thy service, to take the office of mediation upon me, and to redeem thy people from sin; whereunto thou hast prepared me a body, to offer the same for the sins of the people (as the Apostle doth declare this with the words of the Greek Translation, Heb.10.5,10.) The manner of speaking is borrowed from the practise among the Jews, according to the Law of God, about engaging of their servants. See Exod.21.6. Deuteronomy 15:17.] burnt-offering nor sin-offering hast thou not required of me.

8. Thine I said; Behold I come, [Or am come, with these and the following words, our Saviour Christ declareth his willing obedience, to accept of, undergo and execute the Mediator ship, by God imposed upon him. See Heb.10.10.] in the roll of the book (there) is written of me [of the word roll. See Ezek.6.on v.2. Jer.36.on v.2. And understand hereby the books of Moseh, wherein there are divers most excellent prophesies to be found of Christ: the first whereof was made in Paradise, Gen.3.15. and others to the Patriarks, as also the Sacrament and all the offerings and Sacrifices were so many types of Christ to come. See Luke 24:27 Heb.8.5,6. And 9.8,9. And 10.1,&c.]

9. I take pleasure O my God, to do thy well-pleasing. [i.e. that which is well-pleasing and acceptable unto thee, See Prov.10.on verse 32. And Psalms 143:10.] and thy law is in the midst of my bowels. [i.e. I consider them in my heart and am most fervently disposed to accomplish the same. Compare Psal.37.31. and below verse 11.]

10. I declare, [Or, evangelise, or, have evangelised, i.e. brought good tidings of, and so in the sequel] the righteousness [see Rom.3.21.22.] in the great congregation; [compare Psalm 22.on verse 23.] Behold, my lips I refrain not: LORD, thou knowest it.

11. I do not cover thy righteousness in the middest of my heart; I utter thy truth and thy salvation; I do not conceal thy bountifulness, and thy faithfulness in the great congregation.

12. Thou O LORD, shall not with-hold thy mercies from me; let thy bountifulness continually guard me.

13. For evils, [Troubles, miseries, and so verse 16.] even without number, have encompassed me; mine iniquities have taken hold on me, [If this be understood of sins, then David speaketh this of himself, and not of the LORD Christ, who is the immaculate Lamb of God, and hath been without sin; though otherwise he took our sins upon him, as surety to satisfy for them, Isa.53.verse 5,6,8,10,11. As the word iniquities Psalm.31.on verse 11. So is likewise the foregoing word evils, taken for the evil of punishment; that is, for suffering miseries:] that I was not able to see; [Oth. And I could not overlook them. Viz. By reason of the multitude] they are more manifold then the hairs of my head, and my heart hath forsaken me. [Compare Psal.38,11.]

14. Be pleased LORD. [Compare the verses following, with Psalm 70.] To deliver me; LORD, make haste to my help.

15. Let them be ashamed together and blush, that seek my soul, to destroy the same: [See 2 Sam.4.on verse 8.] let them be driven backwards, and be confounded, that delight in my evil. [above verse 13.]

16. Let them be laid waste, [Or be dismayed] for recompense of their shame sake; or, because of the shamefulness they would fain fasten upon me. Oth. To the end that they may be shamed. See of the Hebrew word, here rendered recompense, Psalm 19.on verse 12.] those that say of me, Ha, ha! [as above Psalms 35:21,25.]

17. Let all them that seek thee, rejoice and be glad; let the lovers of thy salvation say continually, The LORD be magnified. [As Psal.35.vers.25.

18. I am indeed wretched and needy (but) the LORD mindeth me: [To help me in due and sit time. See Gen.8.on verse 1.] Thou art my help and my deliverer; O my God, delay not. [Hebr. Be not behind.]