Psalms
Chapter 40
The Lord Inclined Toward Me and Heard My Cry
With resolve I waited for the Lord; he listened and heard me beg.
Out of the horrid pit, he drew me; out of deadly quicksand, he settled my feet upon a rock and made my steps steady.
He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and be awed and put their trust in the Lord.
Blessed is the one who relies on the Lord and does not look to the proud, nor go astray after false gods.
How numerous, O Lord, are your wonderful deeds! In your marvelous plans for us, you are beyond compare! How many they are—I cannot tell them or count their number.
Sacrifice and oblation you did not desire; this, you had me understand. Burnt offering and sin offering you do not require.
Then I said: “Here I come! as the scroll says of me.
To do your will is my delight, O God, for your law is within my heart.”
In the great assembly, I have proclaimed your saving help. My lips, O Lord, I did not sea— you know that very well.
I have not locked up in my heart your saving help, but have spoken about it— your deliverance and your faithfulness; I have made no secret of your truth and of your kindness in the great assembly.
Do not withhold from me, O Lord, your mercy; let your love and faithfulness preserve me constantly.
For troubles beyond number have closed in on me; I am all covered by sins and I cannot see. They are more than the hairs of my head, and I am losing courage.
May it please you, O Lord, to rescue me. Make haste, O Lord, to help me!
May those who seek my life be brought to shame and disgrace; may those who want me destroyed be turned back in confusion.
May those who taunt me with, “Aha, aha!” be filled with shame and consternation.
But may all those who seek you, rejoice, and be glad in you; and may all who love your saving grace continually say, “The Lord is great.”
Though I am afflicted and poor, yet the Lord thinks of me. You are my help and my savior— O God, do not delay!
Commentaries
40
The Epistle to the Hebrews (10:5-7) invites us to listen to verses 7-9 of this psalm as if Christ were speaking. We could also recite verses 1-11 along with him, in his name, thanking God for all he has done. There is a sudden shift from Thanksgiving to a strong plea in the second half (vv. 12-18), which is identical to Psalm 70 and was originally a separate psalm. It is likely that the Epistle to the Hebrews is referencing those who served as priests in the now-destroyed Temple: instead of sacrifices, which God no longer requests, stands the free and perfect offering that is Christ himself, who, like Isaiah before him, said, ‘Here am I! Send me’ (Is 6:8). In the opening verses, the psalmist tells us that the Lord has saved him. In the last verse, he admits to being poor and afflicted. The psalmist assures us that regardless of who we are or our financial situation, if we love God, he will always be with us. The words of Isaiah are echoed in this psalm, and Jesus, in Luke 4:21, said, “Today these prophetic words come true, even as you listen.” And the words of Jesus Christ, our Savior, will come true if we listen and obey! Those who have experienced divine love and tenderness will feel compelled to share it as a great message, even at great personal risk.