Psalms 40
FBMeyerPsalms 40:1-10
a Joyous Testimony Psalms 40:1-10 This psalm follows appropriately on the two former, in which the psalmist had been detailing his sufferings. Here he celebrates deliverance. But a Greater than David is here. Hebrews 10:5-7 puts Psalms 40:6-8 upon the lips of Christ, and we hear His voice speaking through these olden words. In deep distress, Psalms 40:1-3, what can the soul do but wait patiently until the Lord inclines and hears? The horrible pit is a “ pit of roaring;” that is, a ravine where the deep waters rush and roar. What Jeremiah experienced literally, Jeremiah 38:6, we pass through spiritually. But God will leave no child of His there; He will lift him to stand on the rock, his mouth filled with songs. When we are delivered let us set our gladness to music and embody it in renewed consecration, Psalms 40:4-10. Let us not hide God’ s love in our hearts, but tell it out. The bored ear, Psalms 40:6, in reference to Exodus 21:6, means obedience forever, absolute consecration, the glad submission of the will. This is dearer to God than the most elaborate ceremonial or ritual.
Lo, I come!Though the primary reference be to the individual believer, there is one only in whom these words can find their entire fulfilment. This is put beyond all doubt by Hebrews 10:5-9.
Psalms 40:1-3 Thanksgiving;
Psalms 40:4-5 Declaration;
Psalms 40:6-10 Consecration;
Psalms 40:11-17 Entreaty.Unite to fill this precious Psalm with helpful thoughts and words.
Psalms 40:1.Waiting, I waited (marg.).
Psalms 40:2.A pit of roaring, a deep cavity through which roaring waters rush (Isaiah 17:12). Miry clay (Psalms 69:2).
Psalms 40:3.A new song May not these have been the words of Christ as He ascended out of the grave,, leading the new song which only the redeemed can learn? (Revelation 14:3).
Psalms 40:5.Many are Thy wonderful worksWhat wonderful works in Redemption, Adoption, Pardon, Sanctification and Providence! God’s living thoughts of us pass our power of counting (Psalms 139:17). Here is a maze, in which, bewildered, we may soon lose ourselves.
Psalms 40:6.Sacrifice . . . Thou didst not desire The bloody and unbloody offerings respectively. Where these expressed a loving, obedient heart, they were gladly accepted: otherwise they were valueless (Psalms 50:5; 1 Samuel 15:22; Hosea 6:6).
Mine ears hast Thou digged (marg.) (Exodus 21:6; Deuteronomy 15:17) Thus did Jesus freely give Himself up to obedience and blood-shedding for us. So should we give ourselves irrevocably to Him.
Psalms 40:7-8. Lo, I come! It is blessed when God’s law is not only in the head but in the heart. When it is there it will not be concealed (Psalms 40:10).
Psalms 40:9.In the great congregationWe are reminded of Joh 17:26.
Psalms 40:10.I have not hid What themes are here, not only for the Lord, but for his ministers!
Psalms 40:12.Innumerable evilsIf applied to our Lord, these must be the sins of the whole world (Isaiah 53:4-6).
Psalms 40:15.Their shame For a reward of the shame with which they tried to load the sufferer.
Psalms 40:16.The Lord be magnified! What a contrast in the objects of those who seek! (Psalms 40:14-16).
Psalms 40:17.I am poor and needyThe thoughts of God towards the soul (Psalms 40:5) are sweet themes of encouragement (1 Peter 5:7). Poverty and need are not barriers to, but arguments for, the thoughts of God.
Psalms 40:11-17
a Cry for Deliverance Psalms 40:11-17 To the end of life we shall continually need God’ s lovingkindness, to deal mercifully with our failures and sins, and His truth, that is, His faithfulness. The Covenant, ordered in all things and sure, and that which binds him irrevocably, is the rock of our comfort, whether we are compassed by innumerable evils or overtaken by iniquities, Psalms 40:12. Our sense of sin grows with our increasing knowledge of the holiness and love of God. They who are nearest to the heart of God are least able to forgive themselves, though they know that they are forgiven. But while we think hard thoughts against ourselves, and confess ourselves to be poor and needy, we may take great comfort in God’ s thoughts for us, Psalms 40:17. They are tender and loving, Jeremiah 29:11. Poverty and need are never reasons for despair. These things do not alienate God’ s interest. They rather attract Him; just as a sick child will get more of the mother’ s care than the healthy members of the home-circle.
Lo, I come!Though the primary reference be to the individual believer, there is one only in whom these words can find their entire fulfilment. This is put beyond all doubt by Hebrews 10:5-9.
Psalms 40:1-3 Thanksgiving;
Psalms 40:4-5 Declaration;
Psalms 40:6-10 Consecration;
Psalms 40:11-17 Entreaty.Unite to fill this precious Psalm with helpful thoughts and words.
Psalms 40:1.Waiting, I waited (marg.).
Psalms 40:2.A pit of roaring, a deep cavity through which roaring waters rush (Isaiah 17:12). Miry clay (Psalms 69:2).
Psalms 40:3.A new song May not these have been the words of Christ as He ascended out of the grave,, leading the new song which only the redeemed can learn? (Revelation 14:3).
Psalms 40:5.Many are Thy wonderful worksWhat wonderful works in Redemption, Adoption, Pardon, Sanctification and Providence! God’s living thoughts of us pass our power of counting (Psalms 139:17). Here is a maze, in which, bewildered, we may soon lose ourselves.
Psalms 40:6.Sacrifice . . . Thou didst not desire The bloody and unbloody offerings respectively. Where these expressed a loving, obedient heart, they were gladly accepted: otherwise they were valueless (Psalms 50:5; 1 Samuel 15:22; Hosea 6:6).
Mine ears hast Thou digged (marg.) (Exodus 21:6; Deuteronomy 15:17) Thus did Jesus freely give Himself up to obedience and blood-shedding for us. So should we give ourselves irrevocably to Him.
Psalms 40:7-8. Lo, I come! It is blessed when God’s law is not only in the head but in the heart. When it is there it will not be concealed (Psalms 40:10).
Psalms 40:9.In the great congregationWe are reminded of Joh 17:26.
Psalms 40:10.I have not hid What themes are here, not only for the Lord, but for his ministers!
Psalms 40:12.Innumerable evilsIf applied to our Lord, these must be the sins of the whole world (Isaiah 53:4-6).
Psalms 40:15.Their shame For a reward of the shame with which they tried to load the sufferer.
Psalms 40:16.The Lord be magnified! What a contrast in the objects of those who seek! (Psalms 40:14-16).
Psalms 40:17.I am poor and needyThe thoughts of God towards the soul (Psalms 40:5) are sweet themes of encouragement (1 Peter 5:7). Poverty and need are not barriers to, but arguments for, the thoughts of God.