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Commentary on Psalms 40 verses 1–5
In these verses we have,
I. The great distress and trouble that the psalmist had been in. He had been plunged into a horrible pit and into miry clay (Psa 40:2), out of which he could not work himself, and in which he found himself sinking yet further. He says nothing here either of the sickness of his body or the insults of his enemies, and therefore we have reason to think it was some inward disquiet and perplexity of spirit that was now his greatest grievance. Despondency of spirit under the sense of Gods withdrawings, and prevailing doubts and fears about the eternal state, are indeed a horrible pit and miry clay, and have been so to many a dear child of God.
II. His humble attendance upon God and his believing expectations from him in those depths: I waited patiently for the Lord, Psa 40:1. Waiting, I waited. He expected relief from no other than from God; the same hand that tears must heal, that smites must bind up (Hos 6:1), or it will never be done. From God he expected relief, and he was big with expectation, not doubting but it would come in due time. There is power enough in God to help the weakest, and grace enough in God to help the unworthiest, of all his people that trust in him. But he waited patiently, which intimates that the relief did not come quickly; yet he doubted not but it would come, and resolved to continue believing, and hoping, and praying, till it did come. Those whose expectation is from God may wait with assurance, but must wait with patience. Now this is very applicable to Christ. His agony, both in the garden and on the cross, was the same continued, and it was a horrible pit and miry clay. Then was his soul troubled and exceedingly sorrowful; but then he prayed, Father, glorify thy name; Father, save me; then he kept hold of his relation to his Father, "My God, my God," and thus waited patiently for him.
III. His comfortable experience of God's goodness to him in his distress, which he records for the honour of God and his own and others' encouragement.
1.God answered his prayers: He inclined unto me and heard my cry. Those that wait patiently for God, though they may wait long, do not wait in vain. Our Lord Jesus was heard in that he feared, Heb 5:7. Nay, he was sure that the Father heard him always.
2.He silenced his fears, and stilled the tumult of his spirits, and gave him a settled peace of conscience (Psa 40:2): "He brought me up out of that horrible pit of despondency and despair, scattered the clouds, and shone brightly upon my soul, with the assurances of his favour; and not only so, but set my feet upon a rock and established my goings." Those that have been under the prevalency of a religious melancholy, and by the grace of God have been relieved, may apply this very feelingly to themselves; they are brought up out of a horrible pit. (1.) The mercy is completed by the setting of their feet upon a rock, where they find firm footing, are as much elevated with the hopes of heaven as they were before cast down with the fears of hell. Christ is the rock on which a poor soul may stand fast, and on whose meditation alone between us and God we can build any solid hopes or satisfaction. (2.) It is continued in the establishment of their goings. Where God has given a stedfast hope he expects there should be a steady regular conversation; and, if that be the blessed fruit of it, we have reason to acknowledge, with abundance of thankfulness, the riches and power of his grace.
3.He filled him with joy, as well as peace, in believing: "He has put a new song in my mouth; he has given me cause to rejoice and a heart to rejoice." He was brought, as it were, into a new world, and that filled his mouth with a new song, even praise to our God; for to his praise and glory must all our songs be sung. Fresh mercies, especially such as we never before received, call for new songs. This is applicable to our Lord Jesus in his reception to paradise, his resurrection from the grave, and his exaltation to the joy and glory set before him; he was brought out of the horrible pit, set upon a rock, and had a new song put into his mouth.
IV. The good improvement that should be made of this instance of God's goodness to David.
1.David's experience would be an encouragement to many to hope in God, and, for that end, he leaves it here upon record: Many shall see, and fear, and trust in the Lord. They shall fear the Lord and his justice, which brought David, and the Son of David, into that horrible pit, and shall say, If this be done to the green tree, what shall be done to the dry? They shall fear the Lord and his goodness, in filling the mouth of David, and the Son of David, with new songs of joy and praise. There is a holy reverent fear of God, which is not only consistent with, but the foundation of, our hope in him. They shall not fear him and shun him, but fear him and trust in him in their greatest straits, not doubting but to find him as able and ready to help as David did in his distress. God's dealings with our Lord Jesus are our great encouragement to trust in God; when it pleased the Lord to bruise him, and put him to grief for our sins, he demanded our debt from him; and when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand, he made it to appear that he had accepted the payment he made and was satisfied with it; and what greater encouragement can we have to fear and worship God and to trust in him?. See Rom 4:25; Rom 5:1, Rom 5:2. The psalmist invites others to make God their hope, as he did, by pronouncing those happy that do so (Psa 40:4): "Blessed is the man that makes the Lord his trust, and him only (that has great and good thoughts of him, and is entirely devoted to him), and respects not the proud, does not do as those do that trust in themselves, nor depends upon those who proudly encourage others to trust in them; for both the one and the other turn aside to lies, as indeed all those do that turn aside from God." This is applicable, particularly, to our faith in Christ. Blessed are those that trust in him, and in his righteousness alone, and respect not the proud Pharisees, that set up their own righteousness in competition with that, that will not be governed by their dictates, nor turn aside to lies, with the unbelieving Jews, who submit not to the righteousness of God, Rom 10:3. Blessed are those that escape this temptation.
2.The joyful sense he had of this mercy led him to observe, with thankfulness, the many other favours he had received from God, Psa 40:5. When God puts new songs into our mouth we must not forget our former songs, but repeat them: "Many, O Lord my God! are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, both for me and others; this is but one of many." Many are the benefits with which we are daily loaded both by the providence and by the grace of God. (1.) They are his works, not only the gifts of his bounty, but the operations of his power. He works for us, he works in us, and thus he favours us with matter, not only for thanks, but for praise. (2.) They are his wonderful works, the contrivance of them admirable, his condescension to us in bestowing them upon us admirable; eternity itself will be short enough to be spent in the admiration of them. (3.) All his wonderful works are the product of his thoughts to us-ward. He does all according to the counsel of his own will (Eph 1:11), the purposes of his grace which he purposed in himself, Eph 3:11. They are the projects of infinite wisdom, the designs of everlasting love (Co1 2:7, Jer 31:3), thoughts of good and not of evil, Jer 29:11. His gifts and callings will therefore be without repentance, because they are not sudden resolves, but the result of his thoughts, his many thoughts, to us-ward. (4.) They are innumerable; they cannot be methodized or reckoned up in order. There is an order in all God's works, but there are so many that present themselves to our view at once that we know not where to begin nor which to name next; the order of them, and their natural references and dependencies, and how the links of the golden chain are joined, are a mystery to us, and what we shall not be able to account for till the veil be rent and the mystery of God finished. Nor can they be counted, not the very heads of them. When we have said the most we can of the wonders of divine love to us we must conclude with an et caetera - and such like, and adore the depth, despairing to find the bottom.
Let us say then what this Psalm says. "I waited patiently for the Lord" [Psalm 40:1]. I waited patiently for the promise of no mere mortal who can both deceive and be himself deceived: I waited for the consolation of no mere mortal, who may be consumed by sorrow of his own, before he gives me comfort. Should a brother mortal attempt to comfort me, when he himself is in sorrow likewise? Let us mourn in company; let us weep together, let us "wait patiently" together, let us join our prayers together also. Whom did I wait for but for the Lord? The Lord, who though He puts off the fulfilment of His promises, yet never recalls them? He will make it good; assuredly He will make it good, because He has made many of His promises good already: and of God's truth we ought to have no fears, even if as yet He had made none of them good. Lo! let us henceforth think thus, He has promised us everything; He has not as yet given us possession of anything; He is a sponsible Promiser; a faithful Paymaster: do you but show yourself a dutiful exactor of what is promised; and if you be "weak," if you be one of the little ones, claim the promise of His mercy. Do you not see tender lambs striking their dams' teats with their heads, in order that they may get their fill of milk?..."And He took heed unto me, and heard my cry." He took heed to it, and He heard it. See you have not waited in vain. His eyes are over you. His ears turned towards you. For, "the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and His ears are open unto their cry." What then? Did He not see you, when you used to do evil and to blaspheme Him? What then becomes of what is said in that very Psalm, "The face of the Lord is upon them that do evil"? But for what end? "that He may cut off the remembrance of them from the earth." Therefore, even when thou were wicked, He "took heed of you;" but He "took no heed to you." So then to him who "waited patiently for the Lord," it was not enough to say, He took heed of me, He says, "He took heed to me;" that is, He took heed by comforting me, that He might do me good. What was it that He took heed to? "and He heard my cry."
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SUMMARY
Psalms 40:1, a profound opening to one of David's psalms, encapsulates a pivotal moment of personal spiritual discipline and divine intervention. It articulates David's unwavering commitment to wait with hopeful expectation for the Lord amidst distress, testifying to God's compassionate attentiveness and swift response to his fervent plea. This verse sets the foundational tone for a psalm of thanksgiving, renewed dedication, and a declaration of God's steadfast faithfulness, revealing the intimate and responsive nature of the divine-human relationship.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Psalms 40:1 employs several powerful literary devices that enhance its theological and emotional impact. The most prominent is Anthropomorphism, seen in the vivid imagery of God "inclining unto me" and "hearing my cry." This attributes human actions (bending down, listening) to God, making His divine attentiveness and compassion relatable and tangible to the human experience, emphasizing His personal involvement in the lives of His people. The phrase "waited patiently" utilizes Repetition (in the Hebrew qavah qiviti), which functions as an Intensification device, underscoring the depth, persistence, and duration of David's hopeful expectation and trust. This repetition transforms a simple statement of waiting into a profound testament to spiritual discipline and unwavering faith. Furthermore, the verse serves as a concise Summary Statement or Proleptic Declaration, foreshadowing the detailed account of deliverance that follows in the subsequent verses of the psalm. It acts as an introductory thesis, presenting the outcome of the narrative before detailing the process.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The theological core of Psalms 40:1 lies in its profound affirmation of God's active engagement with His creation, particularly His compassionate responsiveness to the earnest prayers of His people. It reveals a God who is not distant or indifferent but intimately involved, bending down to hear and act. This verse underscores the divine attribute of faithfulness – God's unwavering commitment to His covenant promises and His character as a deliverer. It also highlights the human virtue of patience and trust, presenting them not as passive resignation but as active, hopeful reliance on God's perfect timing and sovereign will. The experience of waiting patiently and being heard by God forms a foundational pattern of biblical spirituality, where human dependency meets divine sufficiency, leading to deliverance and renewed worship. It's a testament to the power of persistent prayer and the certainty of God's attentive ear.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 40:1 offers timeless encouragement and a powerful model for believers navigating seasons of difficulty, uncertainty, or prolonged waiting. In a world that often prizes instant gratification and quick fixes, David's "patient waiting" challenges us to cultivate a deeper spiritual discipline of trust and endurance. This verse reminds us that our cries, no matter how desperate or whispered, do not fall on deaf ears. God, in His infinite compassion, "inclines" His ear to us, signifying His profound attentiveness and personal care, much like a loving parent leans in to hear a child's plea. This should instill in us a profound hope and confidence in prayer, knowing that our Heavenly Father is not only listening but is also actively engaged and ready to intervene in His perfect timing. It calls us to persist in prayer with expectant faith, to lean into the waiting period as an opportunity for spiritual growth and character formation, and to trust that God's response will ultimately bring deliverance, solidify our faith, and deepen our worship and gratitude.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does "waited patiently" truly mean in the context of this verse?
Answer: In Psalms 40:1, "waited patiently" is a translation of the Hebrew qavah qiviti, an infinitive absolute construction that intensifies the verb qavah (H6960). It signifies far more than passive idleness. Instead, it denotes an active, persistent, and hopeful expectation. It implies a straining forward, a deep longing, and an enduring trust in God's character and promises, even when circumstances are difficult or the delay is prolonged. It's a spiritual discipline of steadfast reliance on the Lord's timing and intervention, a confident anticipation that God will act, as seen in other passages like Isaiah 40:31 where those who wait on the Lord renew their strength.
Why is it significant that God "inclined unto me"?
Answer: The phrase "he inclined unto me" (Hebrew natah, H5186) is a powerful anthropomorphism, portraying God bending down from His lofty position to listen intently to David's cry. This imagery emphasizes God's profound condescension, compassion, and personal engagement with His servant. It highlights that God is not distant or indifferent, but intimately involved and attentive to the prayers of His people. It reassures the supplicant that their voice is not lost in the vastness of the cosmos but is heard and deeply considered by a caring God, demonstrating His willingness to draw near to His afflicted, a theme echoed in Psalm 116:1-2. This active "inclining" signifies a divine initiative to draw near and engage.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 40:1 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While David's patient waiting and God's subsequent deliverance point to the Lord's faithfulness, Christ embodies the perfect "patient waiter" and the ultimate "cry heard." Jesus, in His earthly ministry, perfectly demonstrated patient obedience to the Father's will, even unto death on the cross (e.g., Philippians 2:8). His cries from the cross, particularly His desperate plea in Matthew 27:46, were indeed "heard" by the Father, not in the sense of immediate physical rescue from death, but in the ultimate vindication of His resurrection (e.g., Acts 2:24) and His exaltation to the Father's right hand (e.g., Hebrews 1:3). Furthermore, Christ Himself is the one through whom God "inclines His ear" to humanity, serving as the perfect mediator and high priest who intercedes for us (e.g., Hebrews 7:25). Through Him, our cries are heard, and we receive the ultimate deliverance from sin and death, fulfilling the promise of God's responsiveness in a way far grander than any individual's experience, providing access to the Father's throne of grace (e.g., Hebrews 4:16).