Psalms 40:1

KJV

¶ To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.

KJV (with Strong's)

To the chief Musician {H5329}{H8764)}, A Psalm {H4210} of David {H1732}. I waited {H6960}{H8765)} patiently {H6960}{H8763)} for the LORD {H3068}; and he inclined {H5186}{H8799)} unto me, and heard {H8085}{H8799)} my cry {H7775}.

Complete Jewish Bible

For the leader. A psalm of David: I waited patiently for ADONAI, till he turned toward me and heard my cry.

Berean Standard Bible

I waited patiently for the LORD; He inclined to me and heard my cry.

American Standard Version

I waited patiently for Jehovah; And he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 40:1, a poignant opening to one of David's psalms, captures a profound moment of personal spiritual discipline and divine intervention. It encapsulates 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
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 40 opens a significant section of David's personal testimony, transitioning from a desperate plea to a triumphant declaration of deliverance and then to a renewed commitment to obey God's will. The superscription "To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David" indicates its liturgical purpose and authorship, placing it within the broader collection of Davidic psalms that often chronicle his experiences of suffering, prayer, and divine rescue. This initial verse, "I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry," serves as a retrospective summary of a past experience of distress and subsequent deliverance, which is then elaborated upon in the following verses, particularly [Psalm 40:2-3](/psalms/40-2 "Psalm 40:2-3 - God's Deliverance from the Pit"). The psalm then shifts to a broader reflection on God's mighty works and a renewed vow of obedience, culminating in a prayer for continued deliverance and a plea for vindication, linking it thematically to other psalms of lament and thanksgiving.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** While the specific historical event prompting David's "cry" is not detailed in the psalm itself, David's life was replete with periods of intense distress, from fleeing Saul (e.g., [1 Samuel 23](/1_samuel/23 "1 Samuel 23 - David Flees Saul")) to dealing with Absalom's rebellion (e.g., [2 Samuel 15](/2_samuel/15 "2 Samuel 15 - Absalom's Rebellion")). The "chief Musician" designation suggests its use in the Temple worship, highlighting the importance of music and communal liturgy in ancient Israelite faith. The concept of "waiting patiently" (Hebrew *qavah*) was deeply ingrained in Israelite spirituality, reflecting a covenantal trust in Yahweh's faithfulness and His intervention in history, often in His own perfect timing. The imagery of God "inclining His ear" is a powerful anthropomorphism, conveying His personal, attentive, and compassionate engagement with His people, a common motif in ancient Near Eastern prayers where deities were often petitioned to listen to their supplicants.

* **Key Themes:** This verse introduces several pivotal themes that resonate throughout not only [Psalm 40](/psalms/40 "Psalm 40 - A Psalm of Deliverance and Dedication") but also the broader Psalter and biblical narrative. Foremost is the theme of **patient endurance and trust in God's timing**, emphasizing an active, hopeful waiting rather than passive resignation. This is intrinsically linked to the theme of **divine responsiveness and attentiveness**, portraying God as a compassionate Father who "inclines" His ear to the cries of His children, demonstrating His profound care and willingness to intervene. The verse also subtly introduces the theme of **deliverance through prayer**, as God's hearing of the "cry" is the precursor to the salvation detailed in subsequent verses. These themes collectively underscore the reciprocal nature of the covenant relationship: human faithfulness in waiting is met by divine faithfulness in hearing and acting, fostering a deep sense of security and hope in God's unfailing love.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Waited patiently (Hebrew, _qavah qiviti'_):** This phrase is a powerful Hebrew infinitive absolute construction, literally "waiting, I waited." The repetition of the verb *qavah* (קוה) intensifies the meaning, conveying not merely a passive waiting but 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 seem bleak or the delay is prolonged. It speaks to a spiritual discipline of steadfast reliance on the Lord's timing and intervention.
* **Inclined (Hebrew, _natah'_):** The verb *natah* (נטה) literally means "to stretch out," "to bend," or "to turn aside." In this context, it paints a vivid anthropomorphic picture of God bending down from His exalted position, stooping low to listen intently to David's cry. It suggests a profound act of condescension, compassion, and personal engagement from the Almighty, demonstrating His willingness to draw near to His afflicted servant. This imagery emphasizes God's active attentiveness and intimate care.
* **Heard (Hebrew, _shama'_):** While *shama* (שמע) can simply mean "to hear," in biblical usage, especially when referring to God, it often carries the richer connotation of "to hear and respond" or "to heed." It implies not just the perception of sound but an attentive listening that leads to action. God's "hearing" David's "cry" (Hebrew *shav'ah*, a desperate plea for help) signifies that He not only registered the prayer but was moved to intervene on David's behalf, validating the efficacy of earnest supplication.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"¶ To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.":** This superscription, common in the Psalms, provides crucial information regarding the psalm's authorship (David), its intended use (for public worship, likely with musical accompaniment, under the direction of the "chief Musician" or choirmaster), and its genre (a "Psalm" or song of praise/prayer). It sets the stage for a divinely inspired composition intended for communal and personal spiritual engagement.
* **"I waited patiently for the LORD;":** This opening declaration immediately establishes the psalmist's posture of faith and endurance. The "I" is David, recounting a personal experience. "Waited patiently" (as analyzed above) signifies a prolonged, active, and hopeful expectation, a demonstration of profound trust in God's sovereignty and faithfulness amidst a period of distress. The object of this waiting is "the LORD" (Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel), underscoring the personal and covenantal nature of this reliance.
* **"and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.":** This clause reveals the divine response to David's patient waiting and fervent prayer. The conjunction "and" indicates a direct consequence. "He inclined unto me" vividly portrays God's compassionate bending down to listen, an act of intimate attentiveness and care. Following this, "and heard my cry" confirms the efficacy of David's desperate plea (*shav'ah*). God's "hearing" here implies not just perception but active acknowledgment and a readiness to respond, setting the stage for the deliverance detailed in subsequent verses.

#### 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. 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.

* [Isaiah 40:31](/isaiah/40-31 "Renewed Strength for Those Who Wait on the Lord")
* [Psalm 27:14](/psalms/27-14 "Wait on the LORD")
* [Psalm 116:1-2](/psalms/116-1 "God Hears My Voice")

### 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, 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. 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 to trust that God's response will ultimately bring deliverance, solidify our faith, and deepen our worship.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What specific areas of your life are currently requiring "patient waiting" on the Lord?**
* **How does the imagery of God "inclining His ear" transform your understanding of His attentiveness to your prayers?**
* **In what ways can you actively cultivate a posture of hopeful expectation rather than passive resignation during times of waiting?**
* **How does David's testimony encourage you to persist in prayer, even when answers seem delayed?**

### 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*. 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](/isaiah/40-31 "Isaiah 40:31 - Strength for Those Who Wait") 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*) 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](/psalms/116-1 "Psalm 116:1-2 - God Hears My Supplication").

### 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](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience Unto Death")). His cries from the cross, particularly His desperate plea in [Matthew 27:46](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - Jesus' Cry of Dereliction"), 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](/acts/2-24 "Acts 2:24 - God Raised Jesus from the Dead")) and His exaltation to the Father's right hand (e.g., [Hebrews 1:3](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - Christ Seated at God's Right Hand")). 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](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Christ Our Intercessor")). 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.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 37:7

¶ Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.

James 5:7

Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.

James 5:11

Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.

Psalms 27:13

[I had fainted], unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.

Psalms 27:14

Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

Daniel 9:18

O my God, incline thine ear, and hear; open thine eyes, and behold our desolations, and the city which is called by thy name: for we do not present our supplications before thee for our righteousnesses, but for thy great mercies.

Psalms 34:15

The eyes of the LORD [are] upon the righteous, and his ears [are open] unto their cry.