Psalms 40:17 Meaning and Explanation
“But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me: thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Though poor and needy, the psalmist trusts that God cares for him and will quickly come to his aid.
The Context of Psalms 40:17
The psalmist's faith rests on knowing that God thinks of him and will not delay his help.
What Does Psalms 40:17 Mean?
The word 'But' signals a turn from corporate rejoicing to personal dependence. The psalmist is materially and spiritually poor—without resources or strength. Yet the very foundation of his faith is that 'the Lord thinketh upon me'—God's mind turns toward the psalmist, His thoughts rest on him.
This is the deepest comfort: not that the psalmist is strong, but that God knows him, considers him, and holds him in care. The closing plea 'make no tarrying' shows that while trust is firm, urgency remains. The psalm moves from rescue to praise to dependence and back to petition—the cycle of a life lived in genuine relationship with God.
Psalms 40:17 in the Original Language
dalal (דַל), 'poor'—lacking means or strength; suggests both material poverty and powerlessness.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psalms 40:17
What does Psalms 40:17 mean?
Though poor and needy, the psalmist trusts that God cares for him and will quickly come to his aid.
What is the context of Psalms 40:17?
The psalmist's faith rests on knowing that God thinks of him and will not delay his help.