Psalms 40
Big idea: The rescue is described in three motions: a pit, a rock, and a song. He brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay; he set my feet on a rock; he has put a new song in my mouth. And then the psalm asks what to give back, and answers by refusing the obvious: sacrifice and offering you didn't desire — you have opened my ears. Then I said, behold, I have come. Hebrews 10 takes those verses and puts them in Christ's mouth on the way into the world. The last third of the psalm falls back into trouble, which is how it stays honest.
Psalm 40 ends poor and needy, asking God not to delay. Psalm 41 closes Book I on the same note, with a friend's betrayal added.
40:1–10 — Behold, I have come
A rescue reported, and then the psalm turns to the question of what to send back. Its answer is the sharpest thing in it: sacrifice and offering were not what was wanted. What was wanted was an opened ear and a body arriving — 'behold, I have come' — which Hebrews 10 quotes as Christ's own words on entering the world. And the movement ends by insisting on the one offering he can make: he did not shut his mouth.
1 For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David. I waited patiently for Yahweh. He turned to me, and heard my cry. 2 He brought me up also out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay. He set my feet on a rock, and gave me a firm place to stand. 3 He has put a new song in my mouth, even praise to our God. Many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in Yahweh. 4 Blessed is the man who makes Yahweh his trust, and doesn’t respect the proud, nor such as turn away to lies. 5 Many, Yahweh, my God, are the wonderful works which you have done, and your thoughts which are toward us. They can’t be declared back to you. If I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be counted. 6 Sacrifice and offering you didn’t desire. You have opened my ears. You have not required burnt offering and sin offering. 7 Then I said, “Behold, I have come. It is written about me in the book in the scroll. 8 I delight to do your will, my God. Yes, your law is within my heart.” 9 I have proclaimed glad news of righteousness in the great assembly. Behold, I will not seal my lips, Yahweh, you know. 10 I have not hidden your righteousness within my heart. I have declared your faithfulness and your salvation. I have not concealed your loving kindness and your truth from the great assembly.
40:11–17 — But I am poor and needy
The second half is a different psalm in tone and is repeated almost word for word as Psalm 70, which suggests it circulated on its own. What makes it worth reading against the first half is verse 12: the man whose ear was opened and whose deliverance was reported now says his own iniquities have overtaken him and he cannot look up. The rescue in verse 2 did not settle anything permanently.
11 Don’t withhold your tender mercies from me, Yahweh. Let your loving kindness and your truth continually preserve me. 12 For innumerable evils have surrounded me. My iniquities have overtaken me, so that I am not able to look up. They are more than the hairs of my head. My heart has failed me. 13 Be pleased, Yahweh, to deliver me. Hurry to help me, Yahweh. 14 Let them be disappointed and confounded together who seek after my soul to destroy it. Let them be turned backward and brought to dishonor who delight in my hurt. 15 Let them be desolate by reason of their shame that tell me, “Aha! Aha!” 16 Let all those who seek you rejoice and be glad in you. Let such as love your salvation say continually, “Let Yahweh be exalted!” 17 But I am poor and needy. May the Lord think about me. You are my help and my deliverer. Don’t delay, my God.
Scripture text: World English Bible (public domain).