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Christianity

Psalms 40I Waited Patiently

Summary

Psalm 40 begins with thanksgiving: the psalmist waited patiently for the LORD, who lifted him from a horrible pit and set his feet on a rock, putting a new song in his mouth. He declares that God desires obedience more than sacrifice, saying I delight to do thy will. The second half turns to fresh trouble and a plea for help; verses 13 to 17 reappear as Psalm 70. It is ascribed to David.

Key verse

“I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.”

Psalms 40:1

Themes

  • Patient Waiting
  • Deliverance
  • Obedience over Sacrifice
  • A New Song

Text

1

I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.

2

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.

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.

4

Blessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.

5

Many, 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.

6

Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required.

7

Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me,

8

I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.

9

I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O LORD, thou knowest.

10

I 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.

11

Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, O LORD: let thy lovingkindness and thy truth continually preserve me.

12

For 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.

13

Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me: O LORD, make haste to help me.

14

Let 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.

15

Let them be desolate for a reward of their shame that say unto me, Aha, aha.

16

Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as love thy salvation say continually, The LORD be magnified.

17

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.

Text: King James Version (1611/1769), public domain.

Across traditions

Questions about Psalms 40

What does Psalm 40 say about sacrifice?

Verses 6 to 8 say God did not desire sacrifice and offering but opened the psalmist's ears, preferring a heart that delights to do his will. Similar ideas appear in 1 Samuel 15:22 and Psalm 51.

What is the horrible pit in Psalm 40?

It is a vivid picture of distress, likely drawn from an empty cistern full of mud. It may describe illness, danger or despair.