> [[psalm-39|← Previous]] | [[psalm-00|TOC]] | [[psalm-41|Next →]] --- # Psalm 40 ## Gratitude and Prayer for Help 1 For the leader. A psalm of David. ^psalm-40-1 ### A 2 Surely, I wait for the LORD; ^psalm-40-2 who bends down to me and hears my cry, 3 Draws me up from the pit of destruction, ^psalm-40-3 out of the muddy clay, Sets my feet upon rock, steadies my steps, 4 And puts a new song in my mouth, ^psalm-40-4 a hymn to our God. Many shall look on in fear and they shall trust in the LORD. 5 Blessed the man who sets ^psalm-40-5 his security in the LORD, who turns not to the arrogant or to those who stray after falsehood. 6 You, yes you, O LORD, my God, ^psalm-40-6 have done many wondrous deeds! And in your plans for us there is none to equal you. Should I wish to declare or tell them, too many are they to recount. 7 Sacrifice and offering you do not want; ^psalm-40-7 you opened my ears. Holocaust and sin-offering you do not request; 8 so I said, “See; I come ^psalm-40-8 with an inscribed scroll written upon me. 9 I delight to do your will, my God; ^psalm-40-9 your law is in my inner being!” 10 When I sing of your righteousness ^psalm-40-10 in a great assembly, See, I do not restrain my lips; as you, LORD, know. 11 I do not conceal your righteousness ^psalm-40-11 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 ^psalm-40-12 your compassion from me; May your mercy and your faithfulness continually protect me. ### B 13 But evils surround me ^psalm-40-13 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. 14 LORD, graciously rescue me! ^psalm-40-14 Come quickly to help me, LORD! 15 May those who seek to destroy my life ^psalm-40-15 be shamed and confounded. Turn back in disgrace those who desire my ruin. 16 Let those who say to me “Aha!” ^psalm-40-16 Be made desolate on account of their shame. 17 While those who seek you ^psalm-40-17 rejoice and be glad in you. May those who long for your salvation always say, “The LORD is great.” 18 Though I am afflicted and poor, ^psalm-40-18 my Lord keeps me in mind. You are my help and deliverer; my God, do not delay! \* (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-of-the-apostles-07|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. (40:2) [Lam 3:25]. b. (40:3) ([[psalm-28|Ps 28]]:1]; [30:4]; [69:3], [15] – [16]; [88:5]; [Prv 1:12]; [Jon 2:7]. c. (40:4) [Ps 33:3]. d. (40:5) ([[psalm-01|Ps 1]]:1]; [Prv 16:20]; [Jer 17:7]. e. (40:6) [Ps 35:10]. f. (40:6) [Ps 71:15]; [139:17] – [18]. g. (40:7] – [9) [Heb 10:5] – [7]; [Ps 51:18] – [19]; [Am 5:22]; [Hos 6:6]; [Is 1:11] – [15]. h. (40:9) [Ps 37:31]. i. (40:10) ([[psalm-22|Ps 22]]:23]; [26:12]; [35:18]; [149:1]. j. (40:12) [Ps 89:34]. k. (40:13) [Ps 38:5], [11]; ([[ezra-09|Ezr 9]]:6]. l. (40:14] – [18) [Ps 70:2] – [6]; [71:12]. m. (40:15) [Ps 35:4], [26]. n. (40:16) [Ps 35:21], [25]. o. (40:17) [Ps 35:27]. --- _New American Bible, revised edition_ (2010, 1991, 1986, 1970) Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C. > [[psalm-39|← Previous]] | [[psalm-00|TOC]] | [[psalm-41|Next →]]