Chapter 40
Themes, discussion questions, Christ connections, and denomination lenses.
Just read this chapter →Scripture
KJV1I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.
2He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.
3And 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.
4Blessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.
5Many, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.
6Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required.
7Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me,
8I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.
9I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O LORD, thou knowest.
10I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy lovingkindness and thy truth from the great congregation.
11Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, O LORD: let thy lovingkindness and thy truth continually preserve me.
12For innumerable evils have compassed me about: mine iniquities have taken hold upon me, so that I am not able to look up; they are more than the hairs of mine head: therefore my heart faileth me.
13Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me: O LORD, make haste to help me.
14Let them be ashamed and confounded together that seek after my soul to destroy it; let them be driven backward and put to shame that wish me evil.
15Let them be desolate for a reward of their shame that say unto me, Aha, aha.
16Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as love thy salvation say continually, The LORD be magnified.
17But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me: thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God.
“I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.”
Overview
Psalm 40 begins with David's testimony of patient waiting upon the LORD, who drew him out of a horrible pit and miry clay, set his feet upon a rock, and put a new song in his mouth. David declares that God desires not sacrifice and offering but has opened his ears — 'Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me, I delight to do thy will, O my God.' He then transitions to urgent prayer, asking God not to withhold His tender mercies and to deliver him from innumerable evils that have compassed him about.
Key Themes
Patient Waiting and Divine Rescue
David waited patiently — not passively — and God answered by lifting him from the pit, establishing his steps, and giving him a new song.
Obedience Over Sacrifice
God desires the willing heart more than ritual offerings — true worship is delighting to do God's will as written in His book.
From Testimony to Fresh Need
Past deliverance does not exempt us from present distress — David who was rescued from the pit now cries out again in fresh trouble.
Study Questions
What does it mean to 'wait patiently for the LORD' (v. 1), and how does David's experience encourage us?
What is the 'horrible pit' and 'miry clay' (v. 2) from which God rescued David?
How does Hebrews 10:5-7 apply verse 6-8 to Christ? What does this tell us about the psalm's deeper meaning?
Why does God value obedience over sacrifice (v. 6), and how does this principle apply to modern worship?
How do we maintain faith when, like David, we experience a new crisis after a previous deliverance?
Connection to Christ
Hebrews 10:5-7 explicitly puts the words of Psalm 40:6-8 in the mouth of Christ: 'Lo, I come to do thy will, O God.' Jesus is the one who delighted perfectly in the Father's will. He came as the ultimate sacrifice that replaced all animal offerings. He was drawn from the pit of death in resurrection, and His obedience accomplished what no sacrifice could — the eternal redemption of His people.
Personal Reflection
Take time to journal or meditate on what God is teaching you through Psalms 40. How can these truths transform your thinking and actions today?