Psalm 40
Here we have, (1.) David’s hearty acknowledgments of God’s kindness, in bringing him out of long and sore afflictions, ver. 1-5. (2.) His preferring of holy obedience to God, and faithful publication of his truths and praises, to all ceremonial oblations, ver. 6-11. (3.) His improvement of his former deliverance, as an encouragement to supplicate further mercy and protection; an encouragement to confess sin, and implore the pardon thereof; an encouragement to rejoice in, and praise God for his excellencies and favors; to trust him under affliction, and to comfort himself in him, as his help and Savior, amidst poverty, sinfulness, and trouble, ver. 12-17. But let me here chiefly think, (1.) Of Jesus the great Shepherd of the sheep, who was brought again from his agonies and death, by the blood of the everlasting covenant, and set down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, that he might receive gifts for men, and that our faith and hope might be in God, ver. 1-5. (2.) Let me think of the new covenant, made between him and his eternal Father, for the redemption of sinful men; and of his complete fulfilment of the divine law as the condition thereof, ver. 6-10. (3.) Let me think how our iniquities were charged to his account, and punished on him, as our Surety, ver. 11-13. (4.) Let me think how the unrelenting vengeance of Almighty God, overtook his Jewish betrayers and murderers; and hath, or will overtake his Heathenish, Antichristian, or other implacable enemies; and of the joy and consolation, which flow from and through him to his chosen friends, ver. 14-17.
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.
1 I waited for the Lord my God,
and patiently did bear;
At length to me he did incline
my voice and cry to hear.
2 He took me from a fearful pit,
and from the miry clay,
And on a rock he set my feet,
establishing my way.
3 He put a new song in my mouth,
our God to magnify:
Many shall see it, and shall fear,
and on the Lord rely.
4 O blessed is the man whose trust
upon the Lord relies;
Respecting not the proud, nor such
as turn aside to lies.
5 O Lord my God, full many are
the wonders thou hast done;
Thy gracious thoughts to us-ward far
above all thoughts are gone:
In order none can reckon them
to thee: if them declare,
And speak of them I would, they more
than can be numbered are.
6 No sacrifice nor offering
didst thou at all desire;
Mine ears thou bored: sin-off ‘ring thou
and burnt didst not require:
7 Then to the Lord these were my words,
I come, behold and see;
Within the volume of the book
it written is of me:
8 To do thy will I take delight,
O thou my God that art;
Yea, that most holy law of thine
I have within my heart.
9 Within the congregation great
I righteousness did preach:
Lo, thou dost know, O Lord, that I
refrained not my speech.
10 I never did within my heart
conceal thy righteousness;
I thy salvation have declared,
and shown thy faithfulness:
Thy kindness, which most loving is,
concealed have not I,
Nor from the congregation great
have hid thy verity.
11 Thy tender mercies, Lord, from me
O do thou not restrain;
Thy loving-kindness, and thy truth,
let them me still maintain.
12 For ills past reck’ning compass me,
and mine iniquities
Such hold upon me taken have,
I cannot lift mine eyes:
They more than hairs are on mine head,
thence is my heart dismayed.
13 Be pleased, Lord, to rescue me;
Lord, hasten to mine aid.
14 Shamed and confounded be they all
that seek my soul to kill;
Yea, let them backward driven be,
and shamed, that wish me ill.
15 For a reward of this their shame
confounded let them be.
That in this manner scoffing say,
Aha, aha! to me.
16 In thee let all be glad, and joy,
who seeking thee abide;
Who thy salvation love, say still,
The Lord be magnified.
17 I’m poor and needy, yet the Lord
of me a care doth take:
Thou art my help and savior,
my God, no tarrying make.
