Psalms 40

To’ the chief Musician. A Psalm of David. A Psalm of David, directed to the chief master of music, for the use of the tabernacle. AVhcrein he thankfully acknowledges God’s goodness to him in delivering him from some great danger: (it is not certain what: but may be applied either to the distress he Vras reduced into by his enemies, as we read in the Psalm foregoing; or to Digitized, by Microsoft ® [psalm xl; the sickness God had inflicted on him; or to both, mentioned Psal. xxxviii.) and then declares his resolution to serve God faithfully and cheerfully, in such Words as may be better applied to Christ’s readiness to do the will ■ of God, though it were by dying for us. But it seems this deliverance was not so complete, but that still he was infested with many enemies; and therefore, in the latter part of this Psalm, he commends himself still to God’s merciful providence: beseeching him to finish what he had begun, by continuing to be his deliverer, Vcr.l. JL WAITED patiently for the Lord, and he inclined itnto me, and hedrd rny cry.] It is good, I sec, to persevere in prayer, and with constancy and patience to wait upon the Lord; for though he hath made me expect very long, yet at last he hath been graciously pleased to condescend unto mc, and to grant my desire.

Psalms 40:2

He brought me up also out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay; and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. For when I was in the greatest distress, and no more able to help myself than a man who is fallen into a very deep pit, where he sticks fast also in the stiffest clay; he not only delivered mc from that present danger, which was very dreadful; but brought mc into a place of safety; and withal confirmed mc in it, that I might not fall again into the like extremity:

Psalms 40:3

And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord. But have liberty in quiet and peace to meditate his praises, and to indite a new song in honour of our God; who hath, to? all other benefits, added this late wonderful preservation: which shall excite many others, when they duly consider it, to join together with mc in his worship and service; and patiently to depend upon him, and hope in his mercy, as I have done.

Psalms 40:4

Blessed is the man that ntaketh the Lord his trust; and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies. And happy is that man, notwithstanding all the troubles he may endure, who reposes his confidence in the Lord alone: and neither envies the success of insolent and deceitful men; nor is tempted thereby to imitate them in their pride, and in their perfidiousness.

Psalms 40:5

Many, O Lord my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to nsward; they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, theij are more than can be numbered.] Many are the benefits, O mighty Lord, and my most gracious God, which thou hast bestowed upon such faithful servants; for whom thou hast done wonders, and still designest great and many kindnesses, which cannot be comprehended, much less expressed, by our weakness. Whensoever I attempt to make thee some acknowledgment for suchinestimable favours, I find it is beyond my power so much as t6 tell the number of them. Ver. G. Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt-offering and sin-offering hast thou not required.] There arc no peace-offerings (whereby we arc wont to testify our thankfulness for thy mercies), nor any oblations, which attend upon them that are worthy to be presented unto thee; or are a lit expression of our gratitude for so many, aud so great, benefits as I have received from thec. A ready and constant obedience to thee, in thy faithful service, is far more acceptable; to which, as I am by nature tied, and thou hast by thy mercies strongly engaged me, so I do freely consent, and cheerfully devote myself (as the Lord Christ hereafter will do entirely): ifi should add all other kinds of sacrifice, whole burnt-offerings and sacrifices for sin, I sec of how little value they arc with thec.

Psalms 40:7

Then said J, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me. And therefore, when I thought what thou mightest justly expect from mc, after this great deliverance, immediately I said (as if I had heard thec calling upon mc, to do thee some extraordinary service), Behold, I come to make an offering of myself unto thec (as the Lord Christ will do, even of his very blood). For so the book of the law requires (wherein this sacrifice of Christ is more plainly described):

Psalms 40:8

1 delight to do thy will, O my God; yea, thy law is within my heart. That I should do what is pleasing and acceptable to thee, O my God (as the Lord Christ will do more perfectly), though it be never so difficult and troublesome to me: and so I will most gladly, with all my soul: for there thy law is written, and not only in my book. (Deut. xvii.18, 19.)

Psalms 40:9

1 have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O Lord, thou know est. And as an earnest of it, I have already proclaimed to all thy people; in their full assemblies, what great obligations I have unto thee: behold, O Lord, I appeal to thec, who canst not be deceived how forward I have been to offer to thee, on all occasions, this public sacrifice of praise, for all thy benefits bestowed upon mc.

Psalms 40:10

I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy loving-kindness and thy truth from the great congregation.] I have not thought it sufficient to meditate alone by myself upon thy loving-kindness, which hath mightily affected my heart; but I have made known to others how faithfully thou hast performed thy promises in the wonderful deliverance thou hast lately given mc: this singular kindness and fidelity I have openly published to all thy people, in their most frequent assemblies, at the solemn festivals.

Psalms 40:11

Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from vie, Lord; let thy loving-kindness and thy truth continually preserve me. Be thou pleased, O mighty Lord, as readily, openly, and abundantly, to express thy tender mercy towardsone: let that loving-kindness and faithfulness, which 1 have so much magnified, be ever seen in my continued preservation and deliverance from all future dangers.'

Psalms 40:12

For innumerable evils have compassed me about; mine iniquities have taken hold upon me, so that lam not able to look up: they are more than the hairs of mine head; therefore my heart faileth me.] For I am not yet so completely happy, but that I see mine enemies are so busy in contriving more mischief against mc, that dangcrswithout number surround me. And indeed my sins arc so many, that it is but just I should feel the fruit of them in multiplied punishments; which have suddenly seized on mc, and grown to such a number, that, as I may sooner tell how many hairs I have on my head, than how many troubles I suffer, so I am ready to faint under the burden of thew: